Senator Bill Weber and Assemblyman Karl Brabenec Secure Major Legislative Win for Lev Teen Center

In every community, some teens struggle. In their darkest moments, many turn to drugs, isolation, or destructive habits. But in Rockland County, there’s a place where hope begins: the Lev Teen Center.

The Lev Teen Center, founded by the legendary Benjie Brecher and Zishe Kushner,  offers a lifeline to teens in crisis. The Center provides one-on-one mentorship and emotional support, permitting the teens to feel a sense of belonging. It offers structured help to overcome trauma and addiction and empowers young people to recognize their self-worth and achieve their full potential.

Located in a former church on Viola Road, the Lev Teen Center has been doing transformative work—but recently faced a serious hurdle: difficulties obtaining tax-exempt status as a nonprofit organization.

That’s when Senator Bill Weber and Assemblyman Karl Brabenec took action, getting both houses of the New York State Legislature to pass legislation granting retroactive tax-exempt status to the Lev Teen Center. This critical measure not only eliminates burdensome back taxes that were already paid unnecessarily but ensures the organization will remain tax-exempt in the future.

The passage of a real property is a major victory for the Lev Teen Center—and more importantly, for the teens whose lives it continues to change every single day.