THE CIVIC COUNCIL NEWS

 

 

Central Islip Civic Council Publication

 

Legislator Gonzalez Administers Oath To Central Islip Civic Council Board Members

The Office of Sam Gonzalez Suffolk County Legislator 9th District

February 4, 2020

Pictured: (L to R: Annette Bernard, Dr. Teresa Bryant, Carol Meyers,

Josephine Walsh, Legislator Sam Gonzalez, Nancy Vargas Johnson, Renee Johnson,

Beverly Rivera-Drummond, William Dungee, and Joan Crescitelli)

 

(BRENTWOOD, NY) – Suffolk County Legislator Sam Gonzalez asked the Central Islip Civic Council Board of Directors and Officers to raise their right hands and swear an oath to faithfully discharge their duty as stewards of an organization that provides unique affordable housing opportunities and many vital community services and programs.

The Central Islip Civic Council is a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved housing counseling agency located on 68 Wheeler Road, Central Islip, NY. The organization was established in 1966 and incorporated as a not for profit agency in 1980. From its founding, the organization has implemented innovative programs and services to fulfill its mission “To improve the quality of life for all residents of Central Islip.” The Central Islip Civic Council has purchased, rehabbed, and sold more than 19 homes and built 10 new affordable homes for first time lower-income buyers. In addition to homeownership programs such as foreclosure intervention, financial literacy counseling, and energy conservation, the Council established school programs, youth programs, and a food pantry that serves over 4,000 needy people annually.

“I was humbled and honored to administer the Oath of Office to the Central Islip Civic Council Board members. The Board includes Annette Bernard – Vice President, Dr. Teresa Bryant – Member, Carol Meyers – Treasurer, Josephine Walsh – Member, Nancy Vargas Johnson – President, Renee Johnson – Secretary, Beverly Rivera-Drummond – Member, William Dungee – Advisory Board Member, and Joan Crescitelli – Executive Director. I wish them much success as they lead an organization that has become an indispensable community resource for tenants, homeowners, students, and families for more than 50 years,” said Legislator Gonzalez.

 

TEN MILLION FOR CI DOWNTOWN

by Nancy Manfredonia

May 17, 2019

After 6 months of work, a local committee has identified important projects that will greatly improve our downtown. Central Islip was awarded a 10 million dollar Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant from the State of New York. Only two other communities on Long Island, Hicksville, and Westbury, have received these much sought after funds. A 17 person committee, co-chaired by Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter, and with much community input, identified 11 projects that will greatly improve our downtown area which is identified as Carleton Avenue from the LIRR tracks south to Smith Street. Some of the larger projects include 2 million dollars to sewer the area and 2 million for a mixed-use development at the old LIRR parking lot just south of the tracks. The latter will include an indoor and outdoor public space. The remaining monies will go towards streetscape and commercial property improvements, two other mixed-use proposals, improvements to the Clayton Street Recreation buildings, and a Central Islip History Trail.

 

STUDENT ART PROGRAM A HUGE SUCCESS

by Nancy Manfredonia

May 10, 2019

For the second year in a row, the Central Islip Civic Council has secured funding for a unique art program for students in our junior and senior high schools. Our Youth Empowerment Program is an outgrowth of the I Matter program developed by Rob Goldman. Students work with their art teachers over several months to create a self-portrait and a statement of self-worth. High School Art teacher, Caroline Perez, said, “My students loved this project and shared often how much they enjoyed painting these pictures from their perspective. It was a process of self-reflection and creativity. It was a journey of self-discovery. What teacher could ask for more?” The students’ paintings and self-worth statements were displayed during the month of April in the Islip Town Hall as part of their “Art in the Hall” program. The students were congratulated by Supervisor Angie Carpenter and other dignitaries. For the month of May, you can see the paintings displayed in our Central Islip Library. Kudos to art teachers Kim Harris and Caroline Perez for their hard work and to the Suffolk County Youth Bureau (Monica Martinez) and the Suffolk Federal Credit Union for funding this very important program.