Press Releases

Bucharian Teens Get the College Experience During Weeklong Workshop

Southampton, NY - Ten representatives of the Jewish Child Care Association, a Queens haven for Bucharian-Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union, spent a week at Southampton College of Long Island University meeting faculty and doing preparatory work to help get them ready for university life while also finding time to visit the area's historic towns and scenic beaches. The program is a part of the College's ongoing partnership with inner-city high schools and organizations for at-risk youth, including the JCCA that co-sponsored this recent workshop.

"These students have a harder time adjusting to American life because they come from the Central Asian part of the former Soviet Union that has a very different culture than other parts of that country," said Debby Perelmuter, JCCA Director of Services to the Jewish Community. "Going out to the Hamptons was a big deal for them. They never get out of New York City. This really opened their eyes and helped give them a positive outlook for their futures." The Teen Lounge is an after-school program for over 100 Bucharian-Jewish teens and meets at the Central Queens YM/YWHA. The program is funded by grants from the UJA Federation of New York. This is the second collaboration between Long Island University and the JCCA. At the University's CW Post Campus, the two groups have been running an innovative program for learning-disabled Jewish college students. For further information, contact Debby Perelmuter at 212-558-9930.

In July, Southampton College hosted a three-day retreat for 35 high school assistant principals from Queens, funded by the New York City Board of Education. The State Education Department has funded the recent Liberty Partnership Program with the College in an effort to insure at-risk students from Queens' Beach Channel High School stay in school and get the skills necessary to succeed in college. For the past two years, Beach Channel and Southampton College have had a partnership where Queens students spend summers at the College getting a feel for university life while taking courses in web design, marine science, writing and other programs. Through the Liberty Partnership Program, Beach Channel students again were on campus last week, taking classes with their Bucharian counterparts.