County Executive Robert P. Astorino met with students, community leaders, senior citizens and business owners from Peekskill, Yorktown and Cortlandt during a recent visit to parts of northern Westchester County.   

In Cortlandt, Astorino attended an event at Lincoln-Titus Elementary School with other members of the local community who were invited to participate in “Everyone’s a Reader Day,” a program that promotes the importance of reading in our children’s day-to-day lives. Astorino, who lives in Hawthorne, spent part of his childhood growing up in Cortlandt and actually attended Lincoln-Titus as a child.

"It was a lot of fun to participate in a program at my former elementary school and revisit memories from my own experience at Lincoln Titus," said Astorino. "Children are the leaders of tomorrow and I enjoyed the opportunity to talk with them about my responsibilities as county executive and my life growing up here in Westchester."

St. Patrick’s School in Yorktown also hosted a reading program for students. This time, a younger group of children from the school’s pre-k to second grade classes gathered in the auditorium to hear a story read by a special guest, County Executive Astorino.  According to faculty, it was the first time a county executive visited the school.

The Westchester County Youth Bureau promotes positive youth development by partnering with nonprofit agencies and community organizations that provide programs and services to Westchester’s young people. In Peekskill, Astorino met with Valerie Swan, Director of the Peekskill Youth Bureau. The bureau helps deliver services to youth in a supportive environment that encourages children, teenagers and young adults to develop skills that will help them succeed in life. 

Westchester’s Housing Office works to provide temporary shelter to homeless families, singles and childless couples by partnering with not-for-profit agencies like the Jan Peek House Shelter in Peekskill. 

Coordinators from the shelter work to alleviate hunger and homelessness in Peekskill and the surrounding area by providing temporary housing for homeless adults, offering nourishing meals to those in need and by helping homeless individuals take steps towards attaining independent living.   

In Cortlandt, Astorino attended a meeting at the Cortlandt Senior Center and spoke to local seniors about programs and services available to Westchester’s older adults. The County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services works to bring all ages, people and places together through programs like the Livable Community Initiative, which aims to help seniors remain in their homes as they grow older with independence, dignity and civic engagement. 

The County’s Office of Economic Development works to foster business growth and development in Westchester by working to provide an environment that allows small and large businesses to thrive and grow.  Astorino had an opportunity to visit some of Peekskill’s small business establishments like the Peekskill Brewery located at 55 Hudson Avenue, the Peekskill Market located at 1049 Park Street and Quiet Man Public House located at 15 North Division Street, which will open in a few months.  

“Small business is the backbone of Westchester’s local economy,” said Astorino. “It was great meeting local people who have invested their livelihood into our community. I wish them continued success.”

More photos of Astorino's visit to Peekskill, Yorktown and Cortlandt have been posted on Facebook.