Youth programs and organizations in Dutchess County are getting a financial boost following pandemic hardships.

Dutchess County government's Learn, Play, Create grant is funded by federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan. Beneficiaries that News 12 caught up with are ready to put those dollars to work for the children.

“Whether it's missed opportunities or entire organizations that support kids that just couldn’t put together programming, we want to give back. We want to help them recapture those moments. Recapture those experiences. And really give them new opportunities to experience and that’s what this is about," says Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro

With grant money still left, Dutchess County is encouraging other county youth-based organizations to apply.