Coincidentally, I received a letter today from Bob Townley, the Executive Director of Manhattan Youth. This is only one charity that this project has helped. We have received similar letters from several other organization.

Bob thanked all those who designated Manhattan Youth as their charity of choice and also provided an update on this fine organization. Here are some of his comments:

“As you know, Manhattan Youth is a community-based non-profit organization founded in 1986 that services the youth and families of Lower Manhattan with after-school and weekend programs for 1,000 teens, seniors, and families.

After 9/11, we brought community members together. Four days after the attack, we held the neighborhood's first community meeting, where 800 children and adults hugged and offered each other mutual support.

We need your support now to propel our community group forward. At our center on Warren Street, we have a free academic after-school program for middle-school students, a computer lab, and a place for young teens to come on weekend evenings for dinner and games. THERE IS NO OTHER PROGRAM LIKE THIS IS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. We also host a Community Forums & Lecture series: The Bill of Rights, How to Get Your Child Into College and Eating Healthy are just a few of the topics. ALL ARE FREE TO THE COMMUNITY.

Our goal is to build a bigger, more comprehensive community center which will be located at Chamber Street and West Street. Government funding for recreational and cultural activities in our district has always been minimal. With across-the-board government spending reductions, we expect even less funding for our district in years to come.

AGAIN, THERE IS NO OTHER GROUP LIKE MANHATTAN YOUTH IN LOWER MANHATTAN. We care for needy families in our community, open the gyms for our teenagers, offer free swim programs for school children, seniors and little ones, and with your support, we’ll build the community center that our neighborhood so desperately needs.”

Best wishes,

Bob Townley
Executive Director

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The choice of charity is yours. The entire original suggested list of both 9/11 charities and military and patriotic charities can be found by clicking on the link below: "The Original Request for Your Help."