[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E831]]



                       RIVERDALE COMMUNITY CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2000

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, nearly three decades ago the rise in juvenile 
delinquency led to the creation of the Riverdale Community Center. It 
gave a growing number of teenagers, who were unsupervised after school 
because their parents worked, a place to go. Drug and alcohol abuse 
were escalating as was teen pregnancy. The dropout rate was also 
soaring. The Community Center was organized to provide a structure 
where, under adult supervision, teens could escape the dangerous 
crosscurrents of life in the streets.
  A free weekend recreation center was opened, then an after school 
program was added followed by a drug outreach program. Soon more than 
1,400 teens a year participated in the after school program. In 
addition, the Center developed an Adult and Youth Education Center 
where, for modest fees, families could take classes. This program now 
serves upwards of 1,000 children, adults and seniors in a variety of 
courses.
  Today, more than 2,400 people a year enjoy the many programs at the 
Riverdale Community Center.
  The Center is a marvelous example of what a community can do when 
faced with adversity. Instead of wringing their hands, the parents of 
Riverdale mobilized. The Riverdale Community Center every year serves 
more people in more and better ways. I am proud to honor the Center on 
the occasion of its annual brunch. I congratulate the Center for all it 
has accomplished--and it has accomplished an awful lot.

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