The Rockland County Americorps program will receive $39,000 from New York State for 2008. The funding is granted, in part, as a result Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee (D-Suffern) and Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski's (D-New City) efforts on behalf of their constituents. Zebrowski and Jaffee met with representatives from the Governor's office to lobby for additional funding for the program after learning that the grant application submitted by the Rockland County Youth Bureau was denied funding for 2008.

“This is certainly a step in the right direction,” said Jaffee. “We cannot underestimate the importance of a program that does so much for so many people in Rockland County. And although it's often difficult to define the worth of a program such as this, we do have a defined dollar amount. We know how much more we need, and we're going to continue to go after it.”

"I am very happy that we were effective in securing additional money for Americorps,” said Zebrowski. “This program is of great value to the community, and it deserves to be fully funded."

Both Zebrowski and Jaffee will continue to work together to bring the remaining $110,000 necessary to fully fund Americorps to Rockland County.