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Cannabis Grants Benefit Local Non-Profits Serving Rockland’s Youth

The New York State Cannabis Advisory Board (CAB) announced the award of fifty grants totaling $5 million made through the Community Grants Reinvestment Fund (CGRF). Under the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), a reinvestment program was created centered on repairing harm in communities disproportionately affected by past drug policies.

Of the 50 awards, 26 projects will focus on improving mental health, 19 will focus on workforce development, and five will support housing stability.

The awards focused on communities disproportionally impacted (CDI) by prior cannabis enforcement and the CAB determined that only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide services for young people (individuals ages 0-24 years) related to mental health, workforce development, and/or housing were eligible to apply for this round of grants.

Each award is $100,000 for a 2-year contract period.

Locally, the United Way of Rockland County was award $100,000 for its Nyack Teens In Action program, serving youths aged 11-17 living in the Village of Nyack and immediate surrounding areas.

The program is a school-year initiative providing afterschool programming in the Nyack School District. Designed to offer a safe haven and support leadership development, the program features daily activities such as cooperative games, tutoring, arts and crafts, intramural sports, homework assistance, community services and projects, and civic engagement through the Youth in Government program.

The initiative is modeled after a successful program operated in North Rockland and implemented in partnership with the YMCA and the Nyack School District. Participants will be selected with input from school administrators and supported through consistent mentorship and behavioral modeling. The program also incorporates social-emotional learning strategies to build resilience, emotional awareness, and academic motivation. The goal is to empower youth to develop into responsible community leaders while improving their mental health and well-being.

New City-based VCS also received $100,000 for its 2025-2027 Student Mental Health Services and Career-Skills Development Program, serving students from low-income families, English Language Learners, and youth with special needs.

The program fosters holistic student development by integrating mental health services, life coaching and career-skills preparation into the school environment, empowering students to achieve emotional well-being, personal growth, while promoting academic and career readiness. Licensed clinicians will provide individual and group counseling sessions tailored to students experiencing trauma, stress, or adjustment difficulties.

The initiative will collaborate with local school districts and family advocates to ensure culturally responsive implementation. By combining emotional wellness with future planning, the program equips students with the tools needed for both personal stability and long-term success.

“These grants deliver on the promise to reinvest money from cannabis sales for the benefit of all New Yorkers,” said Joe Belluck, Esq., Chair, New York State Cannabis Advisory Board.

The CAB is also actively preparing for the release of a second funding opportunity in late-2025 or early-2026.

JCC Rockland Celebrating 18 Years At “Chai Rollers” Casino Night

Eighteen years ago, Rockland County gained more than a building. With the opening of the Jewish Community Campus, the community gained a home.

On Saturday November 15th at 7pm the Chai Rollers: Casino Night for a Cause will celebrate this momentous milestone. Guests will enjoy an evening of food, drinks, casino games, and high end prizes, but the event is about more than fun. Proceeds will go directly to financial assistance programs at JCC Rockland.

JCC Rockland will also honor 9 staff members for their leadership and dedication for nearly two decades.

“Casino Night is more than a fundraiser. It’s a chance to reflect on what we’ve built for the past 40 years and celebrate the people who made it possible, and recommit to the future,” said a JCC Rockland representative.

“Because at the end of the evening, when the dice stop rolling and the roulette wheel slows, the real story isn’t the games. It’s the community and impact we’ve created together on this beautiful campus welcoming all into the heart of jewish life in Rockland county.”

Become a Sponsor

Your business will be showcased at the event, to our 5,200 members, all social media platforms and through webblasts reaching over 25,000 people within the community. To learn more how you can align your business with a trusted organization making a real difference for children and seniors visit jccrockland.org/casinonight.

Rockland Community College Foundation Celebrates “Champions of Change,” Raising $127,000 to Support Student Success

The Rockland Community College (RCC) Foundation honored three outstanding leaders and organizations at its annual Champions of Change: A Celebration of Philanthropy and Outstanding Leaders on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Cultural Arts Center on the RCC campus. More than 140 guests attended the event, which raised over $127,000 to support scholarships, emergency aid, and innovative programs that help RCC students achieve their educational and career goals.

This year’s honorees were recognized for their visionary leadership, commitment to community development, and unwavering support of student success at RCC and across Rockland County.

The 2025 Champions of Change honorees included:

• Steven H. Porath, Executive Director of the Rockland County Industrial Development Agency and President of the Rockland Economic Assistance Corporation, received the Champion of Change for Impact Award for his transformative work in economic development.
• JPMorganChase received the Champion of Change for Innovation Award for its significant investment in workforce development and its strategic partnership with RCC to support local economic growth. The award was accepted by Deborah Charlemagne, Executive Director and Market Director for Banking.
• Susan Oelkers-Ramos, RCC Trustee, Foundation Board Member, and owner of Environmental Construction, Inc., who received the Champion of Change for Philanthropy Award for over two decades of generous support and tireless advocacy for RCC students.

“Each of these honorees represents the values we hold dear at RCC, innovation, impact, and a deep commitment to empowering students,” said Dr. Karen Lewis, Executive Director of Development. “Their leadership helps build a stronger, more equitable future for Rockland County and beyond.”

Guests enjoyed performances by RCC’s Visual and Performing Arts students and a gourmet menu prepared by the College’s Hospitality and Culinary Arts program. The evening also featured moving testimonials from RCC students whose lives have been transformed through scholarships and support made possible by the Foundation.

Since its founding in 1981, the RCC Foundation has awarded over $4 million in scholarships to help students achieve their educational and career goals.

“This is more than a celebration, it’s a commitment to the future of our students,” said Walter Goldman, Chair of the RCC Foundation. “We’re deeply grateful to our honorees, sponsors, and donors who continue to invest in the power of education.”

For more information about the RCC Foundation or to contribute, visit www.sunyrockland.edu/foundation