New organization gives back to local community

The Uniondale Empowerment Resource Center held a Back to School Kids Fest the weekend before the start of the school year.

Over 260 book bags were donated to the resource center to be handed out to kids who registered in advance. The donations came from a variety of organizations, including People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Hofstra University, and others.

“We’re about bringing people together,” Stacey Richardson, UERC president, said, about the Aug. 30 event.

Close to 30 vendors, from skin care and jewelry to toys and collectibles, lined the lawn of Uniondale Park for families to spend an afternoon of shopping.

Games were set up near the baseball diamond. Kids played beanbag toss and hit baseballs into an inflatable target, with the chance to win toy prizes.

Uniondale Fire Department members showed up in their brand new 753 engine and had adults as well as children checking out the vehicle. 

UERC was formed at the beginning of 2024; this was the organization’s first official event.

Rose Ward, the director of finances for UERC, said that the founders of the organization felt that the community was lacking some programs and decided to step up.

“We want to draw attention to the youth in our community,” she said.

Richardson plans to prioritize educating and informing the Uniondale community about available resources as the organization continues to grow to strengthen all generations.

“If you have educated adults, you have educated children,” she said.