(Southern Tier, NY)- Today, Senator Lea Webb (SD52) announced that Broome and Tompkins counties will receive state funding through the Youth Employment Program, which aims to help reduce community gun violence and youth criminal justice involvement by providing year-round employment and training opportunities. 

 Said Senator Lea Webb, “Our youth deserve pathways to success that keep them safe, supported, and connected to opportunity. The Youth Employment Program not only helps young people develop valuable job skills and earn a paycheck, but it also strengthens public safety by empowering youth. I’m proud that we secured additional funding in this year’s budget to expand the program, and I’m excited to see young people in Broome and Tompkins counties benefit directly from these investments.” 

Senate District 52 received the following funding through the Youth Employment Program distributed by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

• $1,293,961 for Broome County  
• $354,533 for Tompkins County 

These funds are distributed by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to local departments of social services in regions that receive support from the GIVE initiative and are expected to support at least 2,500 low-income youths' participation in the program from September 2025 to June 2026. The FY26 Enacted Budget included an increase of $1.8 million for the Youth Employment Program over FY 2025 to fund the minimum wage increases that became effective January 1, 2025.

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