YES Loses Funding from Nassau County

Afterbetween Nassau Executive Ed Mangano and Democrats in the legislature, and other organizations lost funding from the county Thursday.

and dozens of other agencies threatening to cut off their contracts in 30 days unless Democrats would agree to vote to provide enough votes to pass a bill allowing the county to pay tax refunds it owes.

That deadline past without action according to YES Executive Director Jamie Bogenshutz.

"We just stopped our programs," she said. "We're not able to serve any people who walk through the door."

Bogenshutz says that YES does not have the ablility to accept clients for their individual and family counseling programs which were funded by the county.

They'll also be forced to shut down a program for middle schoolers in Farmingdale, Bogenshutz said.

YES is also concerned about further disruptions if the standoff continues. They have not laid off employees as some other agencies have been forced to do,  but they might have to stop programs for current clients.

Bogenshutz said the agency hopes they can find other programs for clients but said, "Other agencies are in the same boat."

"A lot of people can't afford it, some people don't have cars," she said.

Bogenshutz and other representatives of YES attended another rally at the Nassau County legislative building in Mineola on Friday afternoon.

One of those in attendance, Eileen Minogue, spoke of the help YES gave to a child she had once taken into her home.

"As a parent and a tax payer, I find what they're doing is wrong. They can find the money elsewhere," Minogue told patch after the rally. "We don't need free concerts. We need help for these kids."

Although legislators were not in the building on Friday. Dozens of the social service groups supporters attended the rally.

"We will continue the fight to restore the funding of Nassau County youth and other community services.  Closing our doors will have devastating and detrimental impacts on the lives and futures of thousands from Nassau County’s most vulnerable populations.  By cutting these programs, our elected officials will cost the County and taxpayers much more in both the short- and long-term,” said Peter Levy, President of the Coalition of Nassau County Youth Services Agencies.

The legislature is scheduled to meet again Monday and Bognshutz said she plans to attend.