The Center for Advocacy, Support and Transformation — serving Southold Township since 1965.
CAST is the predominant social services agency serving low-income families and individuals in Southold Township. It was the primary local agency responding to the human distress caused by the pandemic. At that time, under Cathy Demeroto, CAST was compelled to triple its annual budget from under $1 million to more than $3 million in just two years. Today, under Erica Steindl, CAST serves 4,063 unique individuals across 1,523 households and provides over 488,900 meals annually. There is a store stocked with staples and fresh produce where people can shop free of charge for the items they need. A wide array of social services spans workforce training, education, temporary rent assistance, and connecting people to government programs. There is a strong culture of helpfulness and respect.
Side by Side supported the public relations work for CAST’s capital campaign for a new home and the purchase of marketing data-management software. Among CAST’s many programs, Side by Side supported culinary job training, two years of remedial after-school learning for children in grades 1-6, and a remedial summer day-camp.