TESTIMONY
Cathy Vargas on the Importance of Funding for the New York City Benefits Program in Supporting Sunset Park's Low-Income Families
4:46:46
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123 sec
Cathy Vargas discusses the crucial role of the New York City benefits program in aiding low-income families in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and the negative impact of proposed budget cuts.
- Vargas represents the Community Services Program at the Center for Family Life, emphasizing the organization's long-standing service to Sunset Park.
- She highlights the significant poverty levels and reliance on public benefits among the Latino and Chinese populations of the neighborhood.
- Vargas stresses that the proposed budget cuts would worsen disparities for the community's most vulnerable.
- Advocates for a $10,000,000 funding continuation to support the program's holistic approach, which addresses technical and language barriers.
- The testimony ends with a plea for sustained investment in the program as essential for the community's future health, stability, and prosperity.
Cathy Vargas
4:46:46
Good afternoon, chairperson Ayala.
4:46:47
My name is Kathleen Vargas, and I'm speaking on behalf of Sandra for Family Life in Sunset Park.
4:46:53
We're neighborhood based organization and settlement house that has been the principal provider of integrated social and human services in Sunset Park, Brooklyn for over 3rd 45 years.
4:47:04
CFO provides a comprehensive range of wraparound family and social services to meet the needs of low income communities the low income community is serving more than 15,000 people yearly.
4:47:15
Sunset Park is home to large Latino and Chinese populations, which make up the majority of our clientele.
4:47:22
23% of residents and 25% of our neighborhood children live below the poverty line.
4:47:28
30% of our households receives snap and other public benefits.
4:47:33
The New York City benefits program has been instrumental in enhancing the well-being and quality of life of low income families in Sunset Park.
4:47:41
Our holistic and compassionate approach is something that our clients simply cannot find through online applications or self-service kiosk, which often present language and technical barriers.
4:47:51
The proposed cuts to the New York City benefits program thorns to exacerbate disparities among our communities most vulnerable members.
4:47:58
This is why we implore the city to continue its support, not just for CFO, but for all 36 agencies involved in the critical in this critical program with a commitment of $10,000,000 in funding.
4:48:10
CFO's wraparound support addresses multiple areas of needs is grounded in respect for cultural nuances and language accessibility and is essential for the thriving future of Sunset Park's residence.
4:48:22
Continued investment in the New York City benefits program will ensure us.
4:48:27
To further our mission and decreasing disparities and enhancing the stability and well-being of the families we serve.
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We stand ready to continue our work, to foster community where every member has the opportunity to live a life of dignity, full and full potential.
4:48:41
Your support is not just a funding decision.
4:48:44
It is a commitment to the health, stability, and prosperity of our community.
4:48:48
Thank you.
