Tel: 212-967-0322 Fax: 212-967-0792
www.unhny.org
June 26, 2012
United Neighborhood Houses Responds to the City Budget Agreement
Statement by Nancy Wackstein, Executive Director
“UNH welcomes the news of the restoration of funding for child care, afterschool and other key programs for working families, immigrants and older New Yorkers in the final budget agreement yesterday. We are very pleased to see that the New York City Council and the Mayor came together to agree on a budget that supports vital programs in our communities.
Child care and after school programs faced unprecedented losses under the Mayor’s budget proposal; if enacted, these truly would have been disastrous for thousands of low-income families and children. We are gratified that our City’s leaders demonstrated commitment to children and families and economic vitality by restoring nearly $100 million to child care and $50 million to the Out-of-School Time (after school) system. Children and youth across the city are assured of at least another year of essential programming and support.
We are also pleased that funding for key services for seniors, disconnected youth and immigrants was maintained. Unfortunately, at this time, it appears there will be 4,000 fewer jobs for young people in the Summer Youth Employment Program.
UNH will continue to work to ensure that fundamental services for children, working families, seniors, and immigrants are priorities in our City. The future of our City absolutely depends on adequately supporting those who are vulnerable and those who are doing everything possible to be self-sufficient. UNH will continue to fight for City priorities that embrace those important values”.
United Neighborhood Houses (UNH) is the membership organization of New York City settlement houses and community centers. Rooted in the history and values of the settlement house movement, UNH promotes and strengthens the neighborhood-based, multi-service approach to improving the lives of New Yorkers in need and the communities in which they live. UNH’s membership comprises one of the largest human service systems in new York City, with 38 agencies working at more than 400 sites to provide high quality services and activities to a half million New Yorkers each year. UNH supports its members through policy development, advocacy, and capacity building activities.
###
