Recently, at the Westchester County Board of Legislators, Legislators David Tubiolo (R-Mount Vernon & Yonkers) and Lyndon Williams (D-Mount Vernon) secured funding for the Summer Basketball Program for the City of Mount Vernon. The grant was for $20,600.

The Board of Legislators has funded this program for twenty years, because it helps keep young people out of the streets and in a positive environment. 

The Summer Basketball Program was held at A.B. Davis Middle School, which operated four hours per day (1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.), five days per week from July 5, 2016 through August 12, 2016. Nearly 90 students from the ages of 8 to 17 were registered in the program. The program builds skills and drills directed by the head basketball coach and staff of Mount Vernon High School. The program helps teach life skills, with each week a different speaker presents and discusses a new life skill topic to the young people.

“As a newly elected Legislator representing parts of Mount Vernon and Yonkers, I understand the importance of keeping our youth active and safe, especially with wonderful camps such as, the Mount Vernon Basketball Program,” said Legislator David Tubiolo.

“This program enhances the athletic and social skills of participants, while providing a safe environment and an alternative to ‘hanging-out’ on the streets and discouraging possible gang involvement and/or drug abuse,” said Legislator Lyndon Williams.

The City of Mount Vernon monitors the program through site visits by the Athletic Director as well as assigned administrative staff.

Legislator Tubiolo had received and filed the item in the Senior & Constituencies committee, which he chairs. During the committee and board meetings he explained the importance of relinquishing the funds from the County to the City of Mount Vernon.

“I’m ecstatic in continuing our legacy of this wonderful program, in the City of Mount Vernon, basketball is more than just a sport, it’s part of our culture, it gives us respect, discipline and teaches life lessons especially to our youth” said Legislator Tubiolo.

“This program which was supported by all of our colleagues of the Board of Legislators and shows our continual commitment to young people,” said Legislator Williams.