In the spring of 2000, a group of concerned community leaders initiated community discussions regarding the rise in poor decision-making among local young people. These concerns, coupled with the increase in youth crime and gang-related activities in nearby Suffolk County communities, prompted a necessity for youth-based programs aimed at offering an alternative to involvement in unhealthy risk-taking behaviors through the emphasis on violence prevention and diversity tolerance while encouraging civic pride and personal responsibility.
At the time, the lack of activities meeting the diverse needs of local youth, coupled with the absence of a safe, well-supervised gathering place, has been shown to increase the risk of youth substance use, as well as involvement in criminal mischief and gang-like activities. Residents of the Moriches Bay area felt that creating a secure and closely monitored center would encourage positive behavior choices among local youth. Additionally, the center would allow other residents the opportunity to meet and develop healthy relationships. In March of 2000, the Moriches Community Center was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 11-3562026), and Anthony Parlato III and Kathleen Johnson were named Co-Executive Directors. Sadly, in 2013, Anthony passed away, as did Kathleen in 2024. Despite the losses of the center’s first directors and founders, the Moriches Community Center continues to grow and thrive under the leadership of former youth participant, volunteer, employee, and now Executive Director, Michael Valentine, and prestigious board members.
In January 2019, thanks to an agreement with the Town of Brookhaven, the Moriches Community Center realized its dream. We now have a permanent home at the newly renovated Moriches Bay Recreation Center located at 313 Frowein Road, Center Moriches, NY.
In January 2019, thanks to an agreement with the Town of Brookhaven, Moriches Community Center realized its dream and now has a permanent home at the newly renovated Moriches Bay Recreation Center! 313 Frowein Road, Center Moriches, NY.
