Assemblyman Aron Wieder presented $350,000 in state funding to 11 local organizations and community partners from across the 97th Assembly District at a check presentation in his Pearl River district office this week.

The funding supports public safety, education, emergency services and family services for residents across Orangetown and Ramapo.

“It’s a real honor to present a total of $350,000 to organizations and community partners across our great 97th Assembly District,” Wieder said. “These checks are more than just funding; they are an investment in Rockland County,” Wieder added. “When I ran for this office, I promised to bring Rockland’s voice to Albany, and today, we are bringing Albany’s resources back home. This is what delivering for the 97th Assembly District looks like.”

Wieder noted the diverse impact of the grants.

“We’re proud to support Friends of Rockland and RSK in the important work they do for Rockland County. We’re also proud to support the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office in keeping residents safe, as well as South Orangetown Ambulance and the Spring Valley Police Department for the critical emergency and public safety services they provide,” Wieder said.

“We’re supporting Lev Teen and Harmonious Hearts as they strengthen and support families and young people, and Chaveirim for the vital services they provide to those in desperate need. We’re also proud to support the Village of Piermont Police and Fire Departments, as well as the East Ramapo Central School District, because investing in children and in schools is an investment in the future of this county.”

*Julisa Rincon-Tomizawa, Assistant Superintendent of Multilingual Education, representing East Ramapo Central School District*, said the district serves 10,400 students and its multilingual program remains a priority, with 58% of students classified as multilingual learners. “Our priority this year with our new superintendent is ensuring continuity and ensuring that every student feels seen and every family feels supported,” she said.

The *Village of Piermont Police and Fire Departments*, joined by the Mayor, thanked Wieder for his support. “This allocation will give us the ability to improve the interoperability of our radio systems in emergency situations,” they said.

*Benji Brecher of Lev Teen Center* said the center serves more than 250 at-risk boys, with 50 to 70 attending daily. “We mentor them, we teach them, we train them, we get them on their feet. We have 17 married boys already who went through our program,” Brecher said. “We have a very large budget and we don’t charge any tuition. We work very hard, 20 hours a day, helping these boys.”

Meyer Tauber of Harmonious Hearts expressed his gratitude to Wieder for the funding. “We are deeply grateful to Assemblyman Aron Wieder for securing this important grant. This funding will support crucial community outreach, expand Narcan training throughout Rockland County, and strengthen opioid awareness and prevention efforts for our youth and children.”

*Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh* thanked Wieder for his continued support of law enforcement. “The best way for law enforcement to serve is to reach out to the community and ensure that the proper services are being provided. In that way we can reduce recidivism, we can reduce crime,” Walsh said.

*Spring Valley Police Chief Rich O’Leary* said the department will use the funds to expand its drone program to assist with search operations and evidence recovery.

*Director of Chaveirim Joseph Margaretten*, a volunteer organization serving Rockland for over 20 years, said, “Assemblyman Wieder has always looked out for us. Everyone knows what we do, and the money is going to a good place. Everyone in Rockland is benefiting from it.”

Wieder closed by thanking all recipients for their service to the district, noting that organizations unable to attend the presentation will receive their awards separately.