GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION TO SUPPORT DISPLACED HURRICANE MARIA SURVIVORS LIVING IN NEW YORK (July 25, 2018)
GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION TO SUPPORT DISPLACED HURRICANE MARIA SURVIVORS LIVING IN NEW YORK STATE
INCLUDING FUNDING TO INCREASE THE DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY
OF NYDIS’ EVACUEE SERVICES PROGRAM
New York, NY: Today, New York Governor Cuomo announced $2 Million in state funding to support the more than 11,000 displaced Hurricane Maria survivors who evacuated to New York – including funding to increase the disaster case management capacity of NYDIS’ Evacuee Services Program. The announcement builds on the Governor’s previous commitment of up to $11 Million in housing and workforce funding. New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) is one of seven organizations chosen by the Governor to receive funding for needs assessments and case management services.
The governor places the program’s emphasis on connecting vulnerable families to needed services such as employment, housing, benefits counseling, and health care including Health Home Care Managers and community-based services. Additionally, the program will provide small, cash grants to families to meet needs that can’t otherwise be met by existing programs and services. “In New York, we have stood with Puerto Rico since day one and we have welcomed displaced families with open arms, providing them with essential services and taking steps to connect displaced Puerto Ricans with affordable housing and job placement to help them rebuild their lives here in New York, and will continue to do whatever it takes to help Puerto Ricans get back on their feet,” Governor Cuomo said.
“Today’s announcement is the culmination of 10 months of self-funded direct services and grassroots advocacy with many partners, most especially former NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Vivirito, Jonathan Soto of Union Theological Seminary, Chelsea Rising, the Bronx Coalition & the NYC-Puerto Rico Long-Term Recovery Group.” says NYDIS Executive Director, Peter B. Gudaitis, M.Div., “For the past ten months, NYDIS and our disaster human services partners have been rebuilding evacuees lives. As we enter the long-term recovery phase, this funding will allow NYDIS to continue providing direct assistance and resources to insure all evacuees achieve sustainable recovery, whether resettled in New York or back in Puerto Rico. We are grateful that Governor Cuomo has recognized our efforts and the dire circumstances facing evacuee resettlement. Today, we proudly stand with him to support this new recovery initiative, and to work with him to bring healing, help, and hope to our fellow Americans in crisis.”
With this new funding, NYDIS is proud to continue our evacuee partnership with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, Union Community Health Center, and Urban Health Plan, Inc., who have been the backbone of evacuee case management in New York City for the past ten months. “We are grateful for the leadership of Governor Cuomo and Assembly member Marcos Crespo for securing needed financial support to help evacuees permanently resettle,” says Lilah Mejia, NYDIS Evacuee Services Coordinator.
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NYDIS is a 501(c)3 faith-based federation of service providers and charitable organizations who work in partnership to provide disaster readiness, response, and recovery services to New York City. Our mission is to inspire, connect and provide resources for NYC faith communities serving in disaster to create an urban environment of social justice for all.