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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Juan Cuautle, Director of the Cooperative Development Program at Center for Family Life in Sunset Park
2:48:16
ยท
110 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 $5,100,000 for fiscal year 2026. He highlights the success of their cooperative development program in empowering immigrant women and providing business management training.
- CFL has incubated 27 cooperative businesses in the domestic work industry, benefiting over 600 immigrant women
- The program provides training to 420 participants annually on worker-owned cooperatives, business management, and community leadership
- Services are offered in participants' native languages, enhancing accessibility for immigrant communities
Juan Cuautle
2:48:16
Good afternoon, earliest and distinguished members of the New York City Council Committee on Small Businesses.
2:48:21
My name is Juan Quatl, director of the cooperative development program at the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, CFL, a forty seven year old social service organization dedicated to providing vital resources to low income families in Brooklyn.
2:48:34
I'm here today to respectfully request that the New York City Council continue to support the worker cooperative business development initiative, WCBDI, by allocating 5,100,000.0 for fiscal year twenty twenty six.
2:48:48
Since 02/2013, CFL has been a proud participant in WCBDI, an initiative funded by the city council that enables organizations like ours to incubate and nurture worker owned businesses.
2:48:59
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.
2:49:13
Each year through our cooperative development program, 420 participants benefit from training and information sessions on worker owned cooperatives, business management, and community leadership.
2:49:23
These sessions are designed to equip individuals with skills and confidence needed to manage their own businesses businesses.
2:49:29
As you felt, we firmly believe that with the right resources, anyone regardless of socioeconomic status can become a successful entrepreneur.
2:49:36
The consult support also allow us to provide 273 business management consulting services annually to operating cooperatives, ensuring their stability and growth.
2:49:44
Importantly, all of our services are offered in the languages spoken by our participants, breaking down language barriers and enhancing accessibility within immigrant communities.
2:49:54
On behalf of the Center for Family Life, I thank you for your time, consideration, and unwavering commitment to economic equity.
2:50:00
We look forward we look forward to con to your continued support in the fiscal year 2026.
2:50:05
Thank you so much.