After School Free Meal Program Restored For Roosevelt Island Youth Program Beacon

Image of School Meal From NYC Dep't Of Education

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) shares this letter sent to parents/guardians of Roosevelt Island children participating in the NYC Department of Education after school meal program.  From the RIYP:

October 6, 2011

Dear parent/guardian,

I wrote you recently that the Department of Education School Food will not provide free after school meals to children participating in the after school program. As promised, the Executive Director, Mr. Charles DeFino and I proceeded to work on restoring the free after school meal program as soon as possible.

Today, I am happy to advise you that our efforts and the support we received from officials associated with various government agencies have produced positive results. Starting Tuesday, October 11, 2011, children enrolled in our after school program will be served a hot supper Monday through Friday, upon arriving at the Roosevelt Island Youth Program Beacon, around 3:00 p.m. The Department of Health approved our application for free After School Meals and School Food of the Department of Education proceeded to implement the program.

In restoring this vital program we greatly appreciate the unwavering support and cooperation we received from various individuals who went beyond the call of duty in their efforts to help. Therefore, I am urging you to express your appreciation for whose contact information is listed below for their efforts to restore the program. Their future cooperation will always be important in maintaining and improving the services we provide to your child as well.

Shawanda Charles

Special Progarams, Department of Education,

e-mail address: scharles12@schools.nyc.gov

Darryll Rattray, Assistant Commissioner

Department of Youth and Community Development

e-mail address: drattray@dycd.nyc.gov

Wanda Ascherl, Director, Beacon Unit

Department of Youth and Community Development

e-mail address: wascherl@dycd.nyc.gov

Jessica Vides, Deputy Director, Beacon Unit

Department of Youth and Community Development

e-mail address: jvides@dycd.nyc.gov

Madeline Delgado-Abadia, Contract Manager

Department of Youth and Community Development

e-mail address: mdelgado-abadia@dycd.nyc.gov

At this time I would like to remind you that School Food provides well balanced, nutritional and fresh meals, but you may choose to provide your child with a different nutritional meal or snack. In this case, children have to bring in their snack when coming to school in the morning or have it brought to them. Children are not allowed to leave the premises between school dismissal and the start of the after school program. They are also not allowed to leave the premises during the after school program. If you are providing your child with a meal or snack, please make sure that you choose nutritional items; sodas, candy and other sugary food are not allowed.

Please contact me if you need further information.

Hasan Wazani, Beacon Director