FOCAAdmin  Sep.01.2021

Excerpt from The Rivertowns Enterprise. Readers can access the full story starting on page 5 of the Rivertowns Enterprise e-digital version from their August 13th edition.  They can open a free e-edition account to view the article at Rivertowns Enterprise e-edtion.

By Kris DiLorenzo

Parks & Trails New York has awarded a $24,875 grant to the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct (FOCA) to expand its community outreach to underserved and diverse communities. “The focus of the outreach will be Yonkers, the most populous and diverse community through which the Aqueduct passes,” FOCA president Mavis Cain told the Enterprise on Aug. 1.

FOCA is one of seven mid-Hudson organizations to receive an award from the Park & Trail Partnership Grants program, which distributed $900,000 among 30 organizations throughout the state. FOCA must raise an additional 10 percent ($2,487.50) above the grant amount.

The Friends will use the grant to hire a part-time coordinator for one year to conduct outreach to schools, Girl and Boy Scouts, residents, and officials to increase awareness and learn the history of the Old Croton Aqueduct, 9 miles of which traverse Yonkers. The coordinator will plan and supervise events that tell the Aqueduct’s history and will encourage local support and participation in the care of the OCA Trail.

To fill the post, FOCA hopes to attract someone having community organizing experience with groups and children in Yonkers, with knowledge of education and history. Contact the Friends at aqueduct.org/contact.