Staten Island’s Seamen Society For Children Charitable Organization Receives $500K In Funding By Sen. Scarcella-Spanton

Senator Scarcella-Spanton Secures $500,000 in Funding for the Seamen’s Society for Children and Families

Editor’s note: For Staten Islanders unfamiliar, Seamen’s Society for Children collects toys for local foster children every holiday season.  While their registration period ends early, many  on the island have seen their little boxes at neighborhood banks, supermarkets, and other small business locations where they can drop off a new, unwrapped toy for a child in need that participates in this event. The borough president and local Knights of Columbus also bring toys for the kids they serve.  Senator Scarcella-Spanton recently was able to restore the full roster of 68 seats for after school programs run by Staten Island’s Goodhue Center.  Previously, Mayor Adams was able to make expansions to Administration for Children’s Services programs for foster youth, particularly those that age out of the foster care system. As readers who watched the movie we reviewed, No Address, learned,  it is often the case that when a foster child turns 18 and the money from the state or city stops, that young adult can find themselves homeless if they aren’t familiar with help that’s available to them, or if they graduated high school and haven’t found a job.  That film covered Georgia, a state with significantly fewer safety net programs than New York.  But still the two largest groups of homeless are foster youth and veterans. 

Staten Island, NY – State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton secured $500,000 for the Seamen’s Society for Children and Families, providing a significant investment that will modernize the organization’s IT infrastructure and strengthen its ability to serve vulnerable children and families across Staten Island.

Founded in 1846, Seamen’s Society for Children and Families provides a wide range of services, including child welfare programs, behavioral health support, and family services. The organization has long been dedicated to strengthening families and protecting children, particularly those facing challenging circumstances.

The funding will support critical upgrades to the agency’s technology systems, ensuring staff have the tools needed to deliver services more efficiently, securely, and effectively. Improvements are expected to enhance and streamline operations and expand the nonprofit’s capacity to meet growing community needs.

Senator Scarcella-Spanton emphasized the importance of investing in organizations that serve as essential lifelines for families.

“I am proud to have secured $500,000 for the Seamen’s Society for Children and Families, which has been a cornerstone of support for Staten Island residents for generations,” said Senator Scarcella-Spanton. “This funding will help ensure the organization has the modern technology required to continue delivering high-quality services while adapting to the evolving needs of our community.”

The technology enhancements come at a time when human services organizations increasingly rely on secure, integrated digital systems to coordinate care, track outcomes, and protect sensitive information.

David Gaskin, President and CEO of Seamen’s Society for Children and Families, underscored the transformative impact of the investment.

“This project represents a pivotal step forward for our organization,” said Gaskin. “Upgrading our IT infrastructure will allow us to better support our staff and, ultimately, the children and families who rely on us every day. This initiative would not be possible without the leadership and support of Senator Scarcella-Spanton, and we are deeply grateful for her commitment to our mission.”

The funding will enable the organization to replace outdated systems, implement enhanced cybersecurity measures, and improve connectivity across programs. These updates are expected to not only increase internal efficiency but also create a more responsive and coordinated experience for clients.

Teresa Cirelli, Chief Development Officer at Seamen’s Society for Children and Families, also expressed appreciation for the senator’s advocacy.

“We are incredibly thankful to Senator Scarcella-Spanton for recognizing the importance of investing in our infrastructure,” said Cirelli. “Her support ensures that we can continue to evolve and meet the needs of our community with the highest level of care and professionalism.”

Senator Scarcella-Spanton was appointed as Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs and continues to advocate for legislation that benefits veterans and their families. She is also a member of the Committees on Civil Service and Pensions, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Disabilities, Insurance, Labor, and Women’s Issues.

Banner Image: At Our Lady Of Mount Carmel event. Image Credit – Senator Scarcella-Spanton