| Contact: | Sunny Mindel/Edward Skyler 212/788-2958 |
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced the appointment of Jerry Cammarata as the Commissioner for Youth and Community Development. Mr. Cammarata will continue to serve as a Member of the Board of Education. He succeeds Acting Commissioner Violet Mitchell.
"Jerry Cammarata has spent his life helping our children," Mayor Giuliani said. "His vast experience as an educator will be invaluable as he takes the reins of the City's efforts to protect and nurture our young people. In addition, his knowledge of New York City and its vibrant communities will allow him great insight as he allocates resources to empower low-income families to achieve self-sufficiency."
Jerry Cammarata has worked in health, safety and education throughout his life. Mr. Cammarata also serves as the New York City Area Director of the New York State School Boards Association and the Chairman of both the Youth Services Board and Civilian Review Board. A longtime educator and author, he is an adjunct faculty member of the City University of New York and enjoys faculty privileges at Wagner College.
The Department of Youth and Community Development supports a variety of youth service programs; administers New York City's Community Services Block Grant Funds, the Citizenship New York City Program and outreach for the non-public assistance components of the City's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. It also funds a series of special projects, including the NYC Adult Literacy Initiative and the YES Commission.
Jerry Cammarata succeeds Acting Commissioner Violet Mitchell, who replaced Martin Osterreich. Osterreich was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Homeless Services last year after having served as Youth and Community Development for almost three years.