Spatafora Named to County Youth Council

Huntington Station resident Raymond R. Spatafora has been appointed to the Suffolk County Youth Board Coordinating Council.

He wil serve a three-year term, representing D-Huntington Station. His appointment was confirmed unanimously Nov. 20 by the Suffolk County Legislature.

The 36-member Youth Board Coordinating Council advises the county executive on matters pertaining to children and youth and ensures effective countywide planning, development and management of resources necessary to sustain the youth service system. 

Most members are citizens representing each of the 18 legislative districts with expertise in health, education, recreation and/or youth activities. D’Amaro selected Spatafora based on his commitment, dedication and efforts on behalf of area youth.

For more than 30 years, Spatafora coordinated and supervised participants in the Project EXCEL summer work program for disadvantaged youths.  He is affiliated with the Tri-CYA Youth Agency Teen Center where he serves as a youth mentor for various after-school middle and high school programs. 

Retired as a supervisor with the Huntington Area Rapid Transit (HART) bus system, Spatafora is a licensed security officer for the South Huntington School District, where the Whitman High School graduate is a familiar face to students at sporting events and other after-school activities. 

The South Huntington Education Foundation (SHEF) has already selected Spatafora as one of its 2013 honorees. He was profiled on Huntington Patch Patch as a “Face of Whitman.”

“Ray Spatafora genuinely cares about children and has devoted countless hours to mentoring and helping them make the right choices,” D'Amaro said.  “I know he will be an outstanding representative for the 17th Legislative District on the Youth Board Coordinating Council.”