Henry Street Settlement opens doors of opportunity for Lower East Side residents and other New Yorkers through social service, arts, and health care programs.
City & State Advocacy
Each year, Henry Street plays an active role in advocating for policies, legislation, and budgets—at both the State and City levels—that reflect the needs and priorities of our community.
At the State level, we are urging our NYS elected officials to stand up for seniors by
- Rejecting the Title XX cuts that would force the closure of 65 NYC senior centers;
- Increasing funding for NORCs (Naturally Occuring Retirement Communities) like Henry Street’s Vladeck Cares NORC, which provides vital case management and nursing services to aging residents in the Vladeck Houses.
Henry Street is also a major advocate for increased funding for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). We run one of the city’s largest SYEP programs and have seen the positive impact this program has on our youth and our city. We urge both the City and State governments to increase funding for SYEP in their FY18 budgets. (include photo of YLC in Albany)
Henry Street also supports the following campaigns and initiatives in the City Government:
- The Sustain Our Sanctuary campaign represents 218 human services organizations—including Henry Street Settlement—calling on the City Government to adequately fund the social services that make New York a safe and inclusive sanctuary for all. We are urging the City Council to fund a 12% increase to all human services contracts in order to sustain important organizations and programs serving communities across the City.
- The “Children and Families in NYC Homeless System” Initiative is a $1 million City Council initiative, begun in FY16, that supports Henry Street and four other leading homeless service providers in our efforts to meet the diverse needs of children and families in the New York City Shelter System. At Henry Street, this funding has allowed us to provide vital aftercare services to families in our shelters, helping them successfully transition from shelter into permanent housing. Join us in advocating for the renewal of this funding in FY18!
- Through the City Council’s COMPASS after-school initiative, Henry Street Settlement has received funding to support after-school and summer programs at our Boys and Girls Republic (BGR) youth center. The youth we serve at BGR are coming of age in a community marked by homelessness, poverty, low educational attainment, and escalating violence. BGR provides a refuge from these pressures and allows every young person who passes through its doors to build an educational foundation, develop leadership skills and increased confidence, and become empowered to make positive choices. Join us in advocating for a restoration of this funding in FY18!
How You Can Help: Want to speak out in support of more funding for senior services, youth employment, homeless services, and after-school programs? Share your thoughts with your NYS Assemblymembers, NYS Senators, and NYC Council Members.
- Click here to find your New York State Assemblymember.
- Click here to find your New York State Senator
- Click here to find your New York City Council information
