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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Genesis Gonzalez, Assistant Director of the Cooperative Development Program at Center for Family Life in Sunset Park
6:35:48
ยท
120 sec
Genesis Gonzalez from the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park testifies to request continued support for the Worker Cooperative Business Development Initiative (WCBDI) with an allocation of $5,100,000 for fiscal year 2026. She highlights the success of their cooperative development program in empowering immigrant women and improving economic conditions.
- The Center for Family Life has incubated 27 cooperative businesses in the domestic work industry, benefiting over 600 immigrant women
- Their online marketplace, Up and Go, has generated over $3 million in sales since 2017, with cooperative members earning an average of $33 per hour
- The WCBDI program provides training, consulting services, and support for worker-owned cooperatives in low-income communities across New York City
Genesis Gonzalez
6:35:48
Good afternoon chair Alexa Aviles and distinguished members of the New York City Council Committee on Immigration.
6:35:54
My name is Genesis Gonzales and I am the assistant director of the cooperative development program at the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, a forty seven year old social service organization dedicated to providing vital resources to low income families in Brooklyn.
6:36:08
I am here today to respectfully request that the New York City Council continue to support the worker cooperative business development initiative by allocating 5,100,000.0 for fiscal year 2026.
6:36:19
Since 02/2014, CFL has been a proud participant in WCBDI.
6:36:25
Through this invaluable support, CFL has successfully incubated 27 cooperative businesses in the domestic work industry, empowering over 600 immigrant women with an opportunity to take control of their economic and professional lives.
6:36:38
Each year, 420 participants receive training on worker owned cooperatives, business management, and community leadership.
6:36:45
We also provide 273 annual consulting services to support the stability and growth of operating cooperatives, all offered in the languages spoken by participants.
6:36:55
Your support has allowed CFL to expand the cooperative business model in low income communities across New York City.
6:37:01
A key achievement is Up and Go, an online marketplace for booking and paying for cleaning services from worker owned cooperatives.
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Launched in 02/2017, it has generated over 3,000,000 in sales, benefiting a hundred families in our community.
6:37:15
Cooperative members earn an average of $33 per hour, more than double the typical $16 per hour for domestic workers outside this model.
6:37:23
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the steadfast support of the New York City Council.
6:37:28
Continued investment in worker owned cooperative businesses through WCBDI is critical to combating economic inequality.
6:37:36
On behalf of the Center for Family Life, I thank you for your time, consideration, and unwavering commitment to economic equity.
6:37:44
We look forward to your continued support in fiscal year twenty twenty six and beyond.
6:37:48
Thank you.