Funding will be used to purchase a new facility which will house the Jamaica  NAACP Daycare Center and a mentoring program for young men.

(New York, NY) – Today Senate President Pro Tempore Malcolm A. Smith presented a $250,000 capital funding allocation to the United Black Men of Queens Foundation, Inc. (UBMQ)  to acquire a new building that will house the Jamaica NAACP Daycare Center and a mentoring program for young men.

“I applaud the work that the United Black Men of Queens County Foundation, Inc. has done thus far and I am confident that with this allocation they will soar to even greater heights to continue and serve our community,” said Senator Smith.

Lamont Bailey, Vice President of Special Projects for UMBQ said: “I am extremely grateful for Senator Malcolm Smith’s efforts to help us purchase a new facility.  We will be on our way to establishing a true Jamaica Community Center. We thank Senator Smith for his support and his vision for our community.”

UBMQ was incorporated in the state of New York in 1974 as a Domestic Not-For-Profit Corporation. It was founded by a group of professional and civic minded men to serve residents in the borough of Queens, with a special interest in promoting the welfare of at-risk African American high school-age youth through its Mentoring Program. The fundamentals of the Mentoring Program is to get to know youth in a meaningful and personal manner and expose them to positive activities and persons that will help them reach their full potential. The activities that take place under the program include college campus tours, trips to government offices to meet with elected officials, law enforcement persons, and other professionals. The program includes tutoring in math, science, language, technology, SAT preparation, and community service projects. We monitor student academic performance and intercede as needed. UBMQ trains the mentees to mentor their peers and set positive examples for everyone to see. The program also includes exposure to the Arts through excursions to cultural centers and theatre events.

Assemblywoman Vivian Cook said: “ It is important for our young people to have positive role models to look up to. UMBQ’s mentoring program is essential to our community. I am delighted that Senator Smith is giving this allocation for a new building.”

“It is also commendable that the UMBQ saw the need that the Jamaica NAACP Day Care Center had for larger space and made provisions to accommodate them,” said Senator Smith.

The Jamaica NAACP Day Care Center is currently funded by the  New York City Administration for Children Services for 75 children and the New York City Department of Educational Universal Prekindergarten funding for 36 children. The current facility is located directly across from UMBQ. The new facility will house a new infant/toddler/preschool program for 88 children, an extended Universal Prekindergarten program for 72 children, an Afterschool or Out of School Time program for 60 children. This  will provide five infant/toddler classrooms, seven additional preschools, four additional Universal Prekindergarten classes and three Out of School Time classrooms.

UBMQ’s new facility will also house not-for-profit organizations and a meeting hall.

Tai White | taidwhite@gmail.com | 718-528-4290(w); 917-683-1274(m)