Pearl River, NY – New York State Assemblyman Aron Wieder announced $350,000 in state funding for 11 organizations and community partners serving Rockland County, with grants directed toward public safety, emergency response, education, youth programs and family services. Wieder, who represents the 97th Assembly District, presented the funding during a recent gathering at his district office in Pearl River.
The organizations receiving funding serve communities throughout the 97th District, which includes portions of the towns of Ramapo and Orangetown. The recipients include the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, Spring Valley Police Department, South Orangetown Ambulance Corps, Village of Piermont Police and Fire Departments, East Ramapo Central School District, Friends of Rockland, RSK, Lev Teen Center, Harmonious Hearts and Chaveirim.
The individual grants are intended to address different needs identified by the organizations. Public safety agencies plan to use some of the funding for equipment and technology, while education and community organizations are expected to use their allocations to support existing programs and services.
Spring Valley Police Chief Rich O’Leary said his department plans to use its funding to expand its drone program. Police departments increasingly use drones for tasks that can include search operations and evidence recovery. According to O’Leary, the additional funding will allow Spring Valley police to increase the capabilities of the program.
The Village of Piermont Police and Fire Departments said their allocation will be used to improve interoperability between emergency radio systems. Radio interoperability allows police officers, firefighters and other emergency responders using different communications systems to communicate more effectively during emergencies involving multiple agencies.
Funding was also allocated to the East Ramapo Central School District. Julisa Rincon-Tomizawa, the district’s assistant superintendent of multilingual education, said East Ramapo currently serves approximately 10,400 students. About 58 percent are classified as multilingual learners, making language and related educational services a significant part of the district’s operations. Rincon-Tomizawa said the district is focusing on continuity under its new superintendent and ensuring students and families receive appropriate support.
Lev Teen Center, another recipient, provides programs for at-risk boys and young men. According to Benji Brecher of the organization, the center serves more than 250 participants, with approximately 50 to 70 attending on a typical day. The organization provides mentoring, education and other assistance without charging tuition.
Chaveirim, a volunteer organization that has operated in Rockland County for more than 20 years, was also included among the funding recipients. The organization provides roadside and other forms of emergency assistance to residents.
Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said community outreach and access to appropriate services can play a role in reducing crime and repeat offenses. His office was among the public safety agencies included in the funding announcement.
Wieder said the grants represent an effort to direct state resources toward organizations providing services within the district. He thanked the organizations for their work and said recipients that were unable to attend the Pearl River presentation would receive their funding separately.
Wieder, a Democrat, has represented New York’s 97th Assembly District since 2025. Before joining the State Assembly, he served on the Rockland County Legislature and previously served on the East Ramapo Central School District Board of Education. His district offices are located in Pearl River and Monsey.