Frontus Presents Check to Bay Ridge Center
Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus (D-Coney Island, Brighton Beach) presented a ceremonial check to the Bay Ridge Center last week. Frontus secured $100,000 in the 2019-20 state budget to ensure the organization can continue providing beneficial services and programs to seniors in southwest Brooklyn.
“Senior citizens helped shape our communities into the places we call home and they deserve our utmost gratitude for their invaluable contributions,” Frontus said. “That’s why it’s important that we support organizations like the Bay Ridge Center, which offers crucial services and programs for seniors that help them remain in their homes and improve their well-being. I’ll continue fighting to ensure the Bay Ridge Center gets the funding it needs to care for our aging population.”
Since 1976, the Bay Ridge Center has provided quality services to southwest Brooklyn residents age 60 and older that promote wellness, support independence and encourage community involvement. The center partners with community organizations, local businesses, schools and social services groups to offer programs like fitness and health activities, and meal delivery for homebound seniors.
Rose, Schumer Secure Additional Counterterrorism Funding
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island), Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence & Counterterrorism, advocated for legislation that Congress passed to increase funding for critical counterterrorism programs of which New York City relies upon.
“Now more than ever, as we face terrorist attacks and mass shootings based on xenophobia, racism, and anti-Semitism, we need to be redoubling our efforts to ensure the brave men and women in uniform have the necessary tools and resources to keep us safe, and that nonprofit and religious institutions are properly protected,” Rose said. “Despite shocking cuts proposed by this Administration, I’m proud to have built strong, bipartisan support to not only push back, but to increase funding for critical programs.”
The President signed the bipartisan funding legislation that Congress passed last week to prevent a government shutdown. The Department of Homeland Security funding included $90 million over current funding levels, including a $40 million increase for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program which provides
critical support and protection for nonprofit and religious institutions like churches, synagogues, mosques, and community centers which have increasingly been targets of terrorism.
“With horrific hate crimes and terror attacks against places of worship and schools becoming more frequent, we must do all we can to help protect people of all faiths worship and gather in safety and security,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY). “Federal security funds, like those provided through NSGP, are the cornerstone of effective preparedness and prevention against terror attacks and enable nonprofit organizations, like synagogues, churches, JCCs, and mosques, to improve their security. These dollars prevent tragedies and save lives, so it is good news that as part of the federal budget deal we were able to secure an increase in much-needed security funds for nonprofit organizations.”
De Blasio Administration and Business Sector Give NYC Youth Gifts
Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Chief Service Officer Anusha Venkataraman announced that 3,200 holiday wishes from New York City children and youth in need were answered by volunteers from the business sector and city government through this year’s Secret Snowflake Initiative. Over the last six holiday seasons, Secret Snowflake has answered the holiday wishes of more than 16,000 New York City children and youth.
“New Yorkers are kind and generous people and this holiday season many youth in need will know that we have them in our hearts and mind,” said de Blasio. “I want to thank every volunteer who took time to make someone’s holiday wish come true and all of our private sector partners that donated thousands of gifts to city residents in need.”
The Secret Snowflake public-private partnership mobilizes the business sector and City employees as volunteers to answer handwritten holiday letters from a child or young person in need. This year, letters came from 26 shelters and five Family Justice Centers across the boroughs. In addition to answering letters, businesses donated over 2,000 additional gifts valued at nearly $27,000, including books and sports equipment.
“Every year, Secret Snowflake reminds us of how small acts of kindness can make a real difference for children and families in our city,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “The holidays should be a special time for everyone, and we are grateful to all the volunteers who partnered with us to help make this season brighter for thousands of New Yorkers.”
Through Secret Snowflake, NYC Service partners with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), the Department for the Aging (DFTA) and the Mayor’s Office to End Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) to collect letters from children and youth served by their agencies before the holiday season.
