LI Works Coalition needs funds, may close

Unless another white knight comes around, the Long Island Works Coalition will soon close its doors, a victim of funding shortages in the weak economy.

The Melville-based organization focuses on workforce development and just celebrated its 12th birthday last month. Eighteen months ago the coalition was rescued by a white knight. But the problem is that the white knight, Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, is having funding problems of its own, according to its spokeswoman, Karen Means.

"We agreed we would take them on at the time and help them get back on their feet, but the economic climate is not very good right now," Means said Tuesday. She added that Goodwill Industries spent about $500,000 funding the coalition's operations in the past year and a half in the hopes that outside money could be found.

"At this point, Goodwill can no longer support them," Means said.

The coalition, under executive director Cheryl Davidson, established 12 "career academies" in eight Long Island school districts in the past 2½ years.

The academies help students understand the connection between school and work. There are academies dedicated to understanding the green industry and others focused on the world of engineering. About 500 students in the districts participate.

Is the coalition gone for good? "We're still in conversations with different agencies on Long Island," Means said. "Hopefully, they will realize the contributions Long Island Works has made and support them."