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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Juan Cuautle, Director of the Cooperative Development Program at Center for Family Life in Sunset Park
6:49:46
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130 sec
Juan Cuautle, representing the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, requests continued support for the Worker Cooperative Business Development Initiative (WCBDI) with an allocation of $5,110,000 for fiscal year 2026. He highlights the success of their cooperative development program in empowering immigrant women and providing business management training.
- The Center for Family Life has incubated 27 cooperative businesses in the domestic work industry, benefiting over 600 immigrant women.
- Annually, 420 participants receive training on worker-owned cooperatives, business management, and community leadership.
- The program provides 273 business management consulting services yearly to operating cooperatives, ensuring their stability and growth.
Juan Cuautle
6:49:46
Thank you so much.
6:49:48
Good afternoon, chair Brennan and distinguished members of the New York City Council Committee on Finance.
6:49:54
My name is Juan Quoutle.
6:49:56
I am the director of the cooperative development program at the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park.
6:50:01
We provide resources to the to low income communities in Brooklyn, helping them to thrive and build sustainable futures.
6:50:09
I am here today to respectfully request that the New York City Council continue to support the worker cooperative business develop development initiative, WCBDI, by allocating 5,110,000.00 for fiscal year 2026.
6:50:23
Since 2014, CFL has been a proud participant in WCBDI, an initiative funded by the council that enables organizations like ours to incubate and nurture work around businesses.
6:50:36
Through this invaluable support, CFL has successfully incubated 27 cooperative businesses in the domestic work industry, empowering over 600 immigrant women with a transformative opportunity to take control of their economic and professional lives.
6:50:51
Each year, through our cooperative development program, 420 participants benefit from training and information sessions on worker owned cooperatives, business management, and community leadership.
6:51:02
These sessions are designed to equip individuals with the skills and confidence needed to manage their own businesses.
6:51:08
At CFL, we firmly believe that with the right resources, anyone regardless of socioeconomic status, can become a successful entrepreneur.
6:51:17
The council support also allows allow us to provide 273 business management consulting services annually to operate in cooperatives, ensuring their stability and growth.
6:51:27
Importantly, all our services are offered in languages spoken by our participants, breaking down language barriers and enhancing accessibility with immigrant communities.
6:51:37
Your continued support has enabled CFL to innovate and scale our initiatives, broadening the reach of the corporate business model to other low income income communities across New York City.
6:51:49
One of our proudest achievement is the creation of OpenGo and online
UNKNOWN
6:51:52
marketing has expired.
6:51:54
Thank you.
Juan Cuautle
6:51:55
Thank you.
Justin Brannan
6:51:56
Thank you, Juan.
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Testimony by Melat Seyoum, Director of Political Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at New York City Network of Worker Cooperatives (NYC NOWC)