THE LEGISLATURE

STATE OF NEW YORK ALBANY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 4ᵗʰ, 2024 Contact: Alexa Arecchi arecchia@nyassembly.gov 718-263-5595

***Press Release ***

Assembly member Hevesi, New York Immigration Coalition, United Neighborhood Houses, Cabrini Immigrant Services, and Working Families Tax Credit Coalition host event in support of Working Families Tax Credit

The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) is estimated to result in a 13.4% reduction in children under the age of 18 living in poverty with a 19.6% reduction for those under 18 living in deep poverty.

Forest Hills, New York- Hosted by Forestdale, a human services agency dedicated to supporting families and helping children thrive, Assembly member Andrew Hevesi stood alongside members of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), United Neighborhood Houses (UNH), Cabrini Immigrant Services, the Working Families Tax Credit Coalition, staff form Senator Gounardes’ office, and families to rally for the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC). The event was a celebration for families served by Forestdale complete with toys for children, a clown, balloon animals, and lunch! Assemblyman Hevesi and Senator Gounardes, the lead sponsors of the WFTC pledged to prioritize the tax credit in this year’s budget.

The Working Families Tax Credit proposal would provide all but the wealthiest New York families with additional income while removing inequities in current tax credits. The WFTC:

• Gives $500 per child to every family, except for those earning the highest incomes

• Offers low- and middle-income families an average income boost of almost $1,300

• Targets relief to lowest income earning families who could get up to $1,600 per child in boosted income

• Offers quarterly payments: provides families with 4 checks so they can better plan their finances

“Families come to Forestdale after a crisis to receive support on a path to stability and future growth. One of the main challenges facing the families we serve is poverty, itself,” said Bill Weisberg, Forestdale’s Executive Director. “The Working Families Tax Credit puts money in the pockets of hard working people who are not paid enough to put nutritious food on the table for their children. That’s why Forestdale supports the WFTC.”- Bill Weisberg, Executive Director, Forestdale, Inc.

“New Yorkers across the State, regardless of immigration status, are struggling to make ends meet. The costs of housing, utilities, food and everyday necessities are leaving our communities stretched too thin, with one in five New York children living in poverty. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) would give New York families much needed relief, including the undocumented immigrants who are paying more in state and local taxes than the top one percent. We must pass the WFTC this legislation session, to create a New York State where every family can succeed,” said Valeria Paz Reyes, NYC Manager of Organizing and Strategy, New York Immigration Coalition.

"Poverty is a policy choice and it is time we make different decisions. The Working Families Tax Credit, made available to every New Yorker, regardless of citizenship status is one of the smartest policy decisions we can make. I look forward to working with the NYIC, Senator Gounardes, and all our partners to make the WFTC a reality this year. Thank you to Forestdale for hosting today’s event and to all the families that came out to show their support" said Assembly member Andrew Hevesi.

"New York's middle class and working families are drowning in a cost-of-living tidal wave, but my Working Families Tax Credit can help them stay afloat," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "This is about ensuring New Yorkers have the support they need to make ends meet, whether that's buying essentials like groceries and clothes, or simply paying rent to keep the roof over their head. New Yorkers are begging us to take bold action to tackle the affordability crisis--my Working Families Tax Credit is a crucial step toward doing just that."

“At Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC, we witness daily the overwhelming challenges faced by hardworking New Yorkers who struggle to make ends meet. That is why we are proud to support the Working Families Tax Credit, which would put funds directly into the hands of the families who need it most, regardless of immigration status. We call on our New York State representatives to prioritize the passage of the WFTC this legislative session, taking a meaningful step towards reducing child poverty and creating a more inclusive and equitable tax system in New York State,” said Ella Nimo, Director of Community Programs and Development.

"New York has the tools and means to cut child poverty in half. To achieve this goal, we must move forward by implementing an enhanced child tax credit. We recently released a report on barriers to accessing a variety of services; families told us, again and again, that they needed assistance with basic needs–essential items like diapers. A tax credit would make a real and tangible difference for families,” said Jenn O'Connor, Director of Partnerships and Early Childhood Policy for EdTrust-New York.

“The United Community Center of Westchester, Inc. (UCCW) is proud to support the Working Families Tax Credit, which ensures that funds go directly to the families who need them most, regardless of immigration status. Each month, we distribute food to hundreds of families, and we’ve seen a sharp increase in demand due to the rising cost of living in Westchester County. Many of these families are longtime residents and hardworking taxpayers in our community who have never sought assistance before. It is time to recognize and support them as an integral part of our society," said Jackeline Agudelo, Executive Director.

“Allowing children to live in poverty is a policy choice and in New York, child poverty is persistently higher than in other states. Childhood is fleeting; the policy and budget choices our leaders make in 2025 will affect children for their lifetimes. With the Child Poverty Reduction Act, New York’s leaders made a statutory commitment to cutting child poverty in half in the next decade, with attention to racial inequity. Robust tax relief, like the Working Families Tax Credit, is among the most effective and equitable ways for New York State to make meaningful progress toward ending child poverty statewide. We urge our elected leaders to make policy choices in the coming state budget that quickly and sharply reduce the number of children experiencing poverty and help us achieve a vision for New York State in which families can not only afford to stay in New York but choose to stay and flourish here,” said Kate Breslin, President and CEO, Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy.

“Different programs and services can help groups of families and children living in poverty to beat the odds against them. But effective policies like the Working Families Tax Credit is the only way to change those odds for all. The single best evidence-based way to eliminate child poverty is to supplement family income, rather than prescribing specific solutions to specific issues. Additional cash is the most efficient way to ensure that people can meet their own needs, whether it’s putting more and better food on the table, getting that used car or bus pass to get to their job, help affording the new apartment closer to their child’s school, or whatever they may need,” said Larry Marx, CEO of The Children’s Agenda.

“By putting money back into the pockets of people who need it most, the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) offers much-needed financial empowerment for hardworking families,” said Susan Stamler, Executive Director of United Neighborhood Houses (UNH). “We know that too many families face economic hardships daily, and New York’s children bearing the brunt of much of that hardship.

Passing the WFTC could help ease some of the burden, with families using the extra money to keep food on the table and clothes on their children’s backs. UNH is committed to helping ease the financial burdens New Yorkers face, and we will continue to work with our partners–including WFTC champions Assembly member Hevesi and Senator Gounardes–on this important issue.”

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Forestdale is proud to announce the positive outcomes of our innovative Guaranteed Income Program (GIP), which has provided $1,000 monthly to 27 families under our care.

This initiative, generously funded by an individual donor, has been evaluated by esteemed faculty from Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work, Drs. Martha Bragin and Michael Lewis. Their qualitative evaluation of the first cohort of 18 families—each engaged with the child welfare system—revealed improvements in several key indicators after 15 months of supplemental income.

Forestdale Inc. is delighted to announce that Robin Hood’s Fuel for 50 initiative awarded Forestdale $1 million to expand the Cradle-to-Launch early childhood program. The objective is that NYC families in distress, often with a history of intergenerational trauma and marginalization, gain access to an optimal array of supports for healthy early childhood development, with an emphasis on mental health. Forestdale’s evidence-based and holistic approach focuses on building strong relationships and parenting skills for system-involved families.

Forestdale is thrilled to be a part of this ground-breaking pilot program to improve health services for young adults transitioning out of foster care. We look forward to working alongside Northwell Health, NYC Administration for Children's Services- ACS, Fair Futures NYC, Foster Agencies SCO Family of Services, and MercyFirst to deliver services to support these youths and connect them to medical care, resources, and a lifetime of better health.

General tips for parents to talk to their children about traumatic events that they may encounter in news and social media:

1. Be the First to Share the News

2. Encourage Open Communication

3. Keep Calm and Manage Your Emotions

4. Address Fears and Anxieties

5. Answer Questions Honestly and Clearly

6. Be Patient and Understanding

The article includes many links to delve deeper into the various topics, such as warfare and violence, school shootings, racial violence, natural disasters.

Southeast Queens residents and elected leaders joined representatives from the city’s Administration for Children’s Services on June 17 to kick off the Juneteenth holiday weekend at the grand opening of Forestdale, Inc.’s Community Connection, the new ACS Family Enrichment Center (FEC) initiative in St. Albans.

Queens Gazette: NYS Senator Leroy Comrie, the NYC Administration for Children’s Services, Greater Nexus, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, Women in Correction NY, Beyond the Blue, and SEQ U.P. Front and Forestdale’s FEC joined together to present “Cookies and Cards with Team Comrie,” a holiday card making event for young people on Saturday, December 10th.

We’ve been selected for Phase 2 of FUEL for 50, Robin Hood’s initiative to support young children’s learning and development through programs focused on their caregivers. The award includes unrestricted funding and support to develop "A Window to Healing" and "Attachment & Biobehavioral Catch-up" programs throughout 2023. We’re excited to continue our work with @RobinHoodNYC and our fellow awardees in support of parents and caregivers of NYC children ages 0-3.

Forestdale, a leading family services provider in Queens and Brooklyn, received several major City Council and Speaker Initiative budget awards for its Strong Fathers program and wrap-around support for transitional aged foster children.

The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation teamed up with the Amazin' Mets Foundation in honor of Father's Day. They awarded Forestdale Inc. $75,000 to help support one of their core parenting programs, Strong Fathers. Fathers who want to be great parents for their children while overcoming significant obstacles, such as job loss, violence, or society's historical and current practices of racism and marginalization, turn to Forestdale for support.

The fathers we serve have tremendous challenges that need not define them. In one Dad’s words: "We’re always so stressed out. I work three jobs. I have the stress of getting food on the table and a roof over our heads. I’m struggling to make the time to come to therapy. Help with basic needs makes a huge difference”. Forestdale helps fathers navigate crises, stabilize their situation, and ensure they are equipped to be an active, committed dad providing increased financial and emotional support to their children.

Last year the program reached more than 350 fathers who learned how to become the champions their families need. Forestdale has been a stable support for dads in low-income families and neighborhoods in Queens for over 24 years, encouraging and facilitating fathers' emotional and material engagement with their children. Research shows that father involvement is associated with various physical, emotional, and mental benefits related to child well-being (National Fatherhood Initiative, 2015). These generous awards will help fathers create and maintain positive, healthy, and long-term relationships with their children - consistent markers of success.

"We appreciate the continued support of the Cohen Foundation and are excited that the Amazing' Mets Foundation has joined in supporting our Strong Fathers program," stated Bill Weisberg, Forestdale's Executive Director. "We know the difference that it makes for children to have a positive father figure in their lives. That relationship impacts their well-being and the course of their school performance, and future relationships. So it is terrific when foundations share the same view."

These generous contributions from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation and the Amazin' Mets Foundation will provide more services to more fathers who come to Forestdale. They will fund counseling, peer support, material assistance, intensive relationship-focused parenting classes, visit coaching, and co-parenting workshops. In addition, both organizations have supported Forestdale programs in other ways, such as recently sponsoring a Mets Holiday Shopping Spree and donating tickets to a Mets game at Citi Field to Forestdale families and to the Benefit auction.

About Forestdale

Established as a child welfare organization in 1854, Forestdale delivers innovative, evidence-based services that promote healing, resilience, and opportunity for children and families. Since moving its headquarters from Brooklyn to Queens in 1941, Forestdale has served our nation's most diverse borough focusing on low-income and immigrant clients, both in and outside the child welfare system. As of 2020, Forestdale also provides Preventive Services to Brooklyn families at risk of child removal from the home. Our mission is to ensure that children and families have the fundamental assets they need to thrive and live independently, with a goal to end the intergenerational transmission of poverty and trauma. For more information on Forestdale, please visit https://www.forestdaleinc.org/, or follow us on @Forestdaleinc on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation

The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation is committed to inspiring philanthropy and community service by creating awareness, offering guidance, and leading by example to show the world what giving can do. Since launching the Foundation in 2001, Steven and Alexandra Cohen have generously funded local and national nonprofit organizations that uplift the communities in which they serve. The Cohens' giving reflects their personal connection with causes that inspire them. To learn more, please visit steveandalex.org or follow the Foundation @CohenGive on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About the Amazin' Mets Foundation

The Amazin' Mets Foundation was founded in 2021 and is the philanthropic arm of the New York Mets. It is committed to providing needed services and opportunities to children, families, and under-served groups in neighborhoods and communities near Citi Field, the Mets home ballpark. Learn more at amazinmetsfoundation.org or follow @amazinmetsfdn on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Media Contact:

Name: Rachel Tzimorotas

Title: General Counsel and Assistant Executive Director of Operations

Phone: 718-263-0740, Ext. 309

Email address: rtzimorotas@forestdaleinc.org

Intergenerational trauma is the idea that descendants of a person who has had a threatening experience may show the adverse emotional and behavioral response to the experience, similar to those of the ancestor who experienced the event.[1] Disrupting the effects of trauma effectively occurs with guidance from trained professionals who understand human cognition and emotion.
We, at Forestdale, Inc. provide services to children and families that disrupt and dismantle intergenerational trauma, as well as the cycle of events and behaviors that create adversity in the life of a child and family.

New New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) announced on 3/22/2022 that Forestdale was selected to start a Family Enrichment Center in Jamaica/Hollis/Queens Village. FECs are warm, home-like walk-in centers co-designed with local families and community members.