The Assembly Might Kill Rent Control as They Killed the Dream Act

What You Should Know 
By Senator Rev Rubén Díaz 
32nd Senatorial District 

You should know that even though a majority exists in the New York State Assembly to permit passage of the Parental Choice in Education bill, the Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie says the bill won’t get to the floor for a vote unless there is enough support among Democrats alone to back the bill. 

 

This completely ignores this bill’s bipartisan success that has been championed by coalitions throughout New York State, headed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan. These coalitions include Interfaith Leaders, and more than 150 labor unions, community-based organizations, businesses and schools.

 

If the vote were taken today and we added up the numbers, there most certainly ARE enough votes among the Assembly’s Democrats and Republicans combined to pass the Parental Choice in Education bill - even though there are not 76 Democrats in the 150-Member chamber to support the bill.  The result of this bill’s passage would help children and families – especially in our Black and Hispanic communities – to have better education resources and provide financial relief to families in our communities who need it the most. 

 

The Assembly Speaker is even opposed to linking an extension of rent control to the passage of the Parental Choice in Education bill. 

 

This begs the question: “Why put in jeopardy rent control which is set to expire next Monday just because there aren’t enough Democrats to pass the Parental Choice in Education bill?” 

 

My dear reader, there was no such opposition by the Assembly Speaker and Assembly Members to support tax credits for wealthy developers – and not even for people who wanted to buy luxury yachts and private planes.  You may recall earlier this year how nicely Speaker Carl Heastie chummied up with former Senate Leader Senator Dean Skelos to justify tax breaks such as these for the wealthy to buy private planes and yachts. They both said it would be good for business and create more jobs. They were willing to give tax credits to purchase private planes and yachts, but not for parents to send their children to the school of their choice. Oh really?   

 

You may also recall earlier this year that I wrote a column titled “All or Nothing” when the DREAM Act was linked to the Parental Choice in Education bill.  I wrote: 

 

“As you already know, the DREAM Act has been designed to help the children of undocumented parents, and undocumented students who already have earned their high school diploma or GED to receive financial assistance for college.  The Education Investment Tax Credit is designed to provide a tax credit for businesses and individuals who donate money to private and parochial schools’ scholarship funds.  Both of these bills offer more educational opportunities for New York’s students.” 

 

“Speaker Carl Heastie and the Assembly know that the Assembly voted four (4) years in a row to pass the DREAM Act - to no avail - because the Senate didn't want to vote for it … Do they really want the DREAM Act to pass?” 

 

Today, again I ask: “Why is the Assembly Speaker refusing and rejecting these opportunities that our children and their families deserve?”  When the Governor wanted to pass the DREAM Act he linked it to the Education Investment Tax Credit bill, and the Assembly opposed it. Consequently killing the DREAM Act and denying the opportunity for thousands of undocumented youth. 

It looks like the Speaker of the Assembly is doing the same thing to Rent Control since the Governor is also linking it to the Parental Choice in Education bill. 

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that New Yorkers elected us to represent all of them - not to cater to special interests and not to make ourselves look powerful by refusing to work in a bipartisan effort. If  the Assembly allows Rent Control to expire and puts in jeopardy thousands of poor and needy residents of the City of New York, the Assembly will have no one else to blame but themselves. 

 

The art of politics is to know how to honestly negotiate with others in order to protect and to serve the people who elected us. 

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

NEWS FROM ASSEMBLYMAN JEFFREY DINOWITZ

Dinowitz Bill to Protect Consumers From Fees on Gift Cards and Certificates Passes Assembly

       Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz announced that his bill to prevent fees from being assessed on gift cards and certificates has passed unanimously in the State Assembly (A.7610). “Too often have consumers either purchased or been given a gift card, only to later find out that there is little to no money left to spend due to exorbitant fees assessed on the card due to inactivity,” Assemblyman Dinowitz said.

Current New York State law requires notice of expiration dates as well as any fees that will be charged along with other terms and conditions that must be clearly and conspicuously stated on the card, package, or accompanying printed document. Fees are currently not allowed to be assessed prior to the thirteenth month of dormancy, but New York State does not specify how much of a fee can be assessed, offering consumers little to no protection. Consumers purchase gift cards just like other products sold that have no fees assessed after the initial purchase.

“Businesses selling gift cards have already made the profit of selling it, so there is no reason that a consumer should be penalized with fees for not using it within a specific time frame,” said Mr. Dinowitz, who chairs the Assembly’s Consumer Affairs Committee. “It is simply unconscionable that a consumer who pays for a gift card in full should lose their investment because of the amount of time passed before spending the funds.”

If the legislation becomes law New York will be joining twenty other states that have passed similar legislation preventing any fees on gift cards and certificates, with some only allowing a fee at the time of purchase.

Assemblyman Dinowitz Announces

New York State Mobility and Opportunity for Vulnerable Employees (MOVE) Act

    

        Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz introduced a bill to stop employers from requiring low-wage employees to sign non-compete agreements, preventing them from seeking higher paying jobs. The bill, known as the Mobility and Opportunity for Vulnerable Employees (MOVE) Act, will ban the use of non-compete agreements for employees making less than $15 an hour, or $31,200 annually (A.8108). This legislation is modeled after recently introduced federal legislation by Senator Al Franken (D-Minnesota).

“Requiring low-wage workers to sign non-compete agreements as a condition of employment is a practice that must end immediately,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “Practices like these by employers hinder workers’ ability to move up in the world by using their experience to find better paying jobs; the MOVE Act will help remove barriers for those currently stuck in their low-wage jobs so they can work toward a better life for themselves and their families.”

Additionally, the bill requires that any company using non-compete agreements for employees not defined as “low-wage,” must disclose the use of such an agreement at the beginning of the hiring process.

“By removing these barriers we will be a taking a big step forward in making sure that those workers who need it most are being protected,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “Ensuring the ability of low-wage workers to work hard and climb out of poverty is a paramount issue.”

Though similar legislation has been proposed in Congress, Assemblyman Dinowitz asserted that “New Yorkers just can’t wait for the gridlock in Congress to subside to protect low-wage workers.”

Abrazo Boricua in New York

What the Carl Heastie Campaign Was Spending Money on According to The New York Times

  In a lengthy New York Times Article  titled - 'Carl Heastie's Campaign Spending Blurs Line Between Politics and Personal'. The New York Times goes into detail of what have been called questionable or even unexplained campaign expenses as many are listed after the Times staff went over Assemblyman Carl Heastie's Campaign filings since he was elected to office..  

   The article opens that on the eve of Carl Heastie's 39th Birthday (Heastie is now 47) a tab for $270.00 for food is listed as a campaign expense. The Times writes that the $270.00 tab was from the Happy Valley night club in Manhattan which the Times wrote did not serve food, and that the club was famous for its dance floor and Go-Go dancers. Happy Valley has been permanently closed for years now.

  The next item in the Times article is how $30,000.00 has been spent over 9 years on Heastie's BMW by his campaign, while Heastie has collected over $51,000.00 in mileage reimbursements from the state meant to cover auto repairs of elected officials. 
  The Times goes on to say that from 2001 the Heastie Campaign has taken in over $1.1 Million Dollars, with details of spending mostly left out. Also with no explanation of where almost $150,000.00 came from. The Times says Heastie claimed that the donations were less than 50 dollars and did not have to be itemized under state law. 
  The Times continues to detail a $97,910.00 unexplained or to whom the recipient was for said campaign expenditure. The Times also references the Mooreland Commission in which Assemblyman Heastie was one of 28 elected officials under investigation for spending at least $10,000.00 over a six year period without identifying a recipient or omitting the information. The Times adds that the U.S. Attorney's office has taken up the investigation files from the Mooreland Commission which was disbanded by Governor Cuomo last year.
   Unexplained Credit Card Bills involving a check for $8,203.00 to American Express, and almost $17,000.00 more in unexplained credit card bills paid by the campaign are mentioned in the Times article. The Times goes into details about his Frequent car repairs, naming names and amounts. 
   The Times then mentions Campaign funds paid to two of Heastie's Girlfriends, buy football tickets to his Alma Mater Stony Brook University (on Long Island), and frequent meetings or staff events at Manhattan Night Clubs. Several such meetings and or Staff Events are listed and the amounts listed that go up to $1,700.00 for 3 events at H &Y Duet located on West 48th Street in Manhattan.
    The entire New York Times article on now Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie's Campaign Spending can be found at the link in the first sentence of this blog posting. 

End of Session Gossip in Albany

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

You should know that the Legislative Session for the year is about to end and there are eight juicy pieces of gossip that are making the rounds.  Here they are:

(1)    Word on the street is that the new Speaker of the State Assembly, the Honorable Carl Heastie has achieved a monumental goal by having Governor Andrew Cuomo take away $100 million dollars from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and send that money to the Assembly. This way, Carl Heastie can assign $2 million dollars to each of his members to spend exclusively for capital improvement projects in city housing in the respective Assembly Members’ districts.

Rumor has it that with this show of political gamesmanship, Speaker Carl Heastie has outsmarted everyone and has made off with the candies. He has left Senator John Flanagan, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Leader of the Regular Senate Democrats, and Senator Jeff Klein, Leader of the Senate Independent Democrats in the dust.

(2)    About three years ago, Senator Joseph Addabbo was elected by this column as the Senator with the best hairdo, beating Senator José Marco Serrano by one vote. (See Serrano v Addabbo – The Battle of the Hairhttp://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/what-you-should-know-20) Senator Adriano Espaillat cast the deciding vote, showing all that it’s true when they say that every vote counts.

Now, three years later, Senator José Marco Serrano has not only lost 65 pounds, but he has also changed his way of dressing by wearing bow ties instead of neckties. He has grown a stylish beard and walks with an air of confidence, causing Senator Adriano Espaillat to change his vote this year, proclaiming that Senator José Marco Serrano reigns as the indisputable champion, dethroning Senator Joseph Addabbo of his title as the Senator with the best hairdo. (We all agree that the hairspray that Senator José Marco Serrano uses gives his hair that extra hold – it is definitely a good one.)

(3)    You don’t have to say that you heard this from me, but there are rumors making their way through Albany that Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan has promised absolution to those legislators who will support the Parental Choice in Education Act AND that Governor Andrew Cuomo – a most astute politician – has requested two absolutions instead of one to cover up at least two mortal sins that he has committed against the Church.

(4)    You should know that Senator Gustavo Rivera really surprised everyone during the End of Session Dinner sponsored by Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins on June 2 at Martel’s Restaurant. You might be asking, “Why? What happened?”

Well my dear reader, let me tell you.  While some people were making fools of themselves doing Karaoke, when Senator Gustavo Rivera took the microphone and started to imitate Ray Charles, he was just fantastic! He stole the show. I do believe that Gustavo has a life after politics.

(5)    Nowadays, you can find Assemblyman Felix Ortiz walking aimlessly through the corridors of power in Albany. Since Somos El Futuro was taken away from him and given to Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Felix doesn’t seem to be too cooperative with anybody. I have not seen him at any Somos meetings and people are beginning to whisper and ask why he signed contracts in Puerto Rico for 2015 when he knew that there would be a new Chairman.

(6)    Rumor also has it that even though there are two new leaders, Carl Heastie who replaced Sheldon Silver as Speaker of the Assembly and John Flanagan who replaced Dean Skelos as Senate Majority Leader, nonetheless, the key staff and confidants of the old leaders are still in place. This gives the perception that the old guard still has some influence.

(7)    While the Legislature is busy making arrangements for the close of Session and the Senators are debating which bills and pieces of legislation should or should not get to see the light of day, Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson is occupying her time by collecting petitions to run for Mayor of Mount Vernon. Good luck with that, Ruth.

(8)    Last but not least, now that American Pharoah has won the Triple Crown, you should know that there are some high rollers here in Albany who are keeping in touch with their bookies, and who are still 75% in favor of Senator Jeff Klein becoming President Pro-Temp in the near future. They are so certain that Senator Klein will become the Senate’s President Pro Temp that to them, Preet Bharara is the only one who could stop Jeff Klein’s assent to the throne.

Ladies and gentlemen, these are some samples of the gossip that is floating around in Albany as the Session comes to a close.

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

Editor's Note:

I could not agree any more with Senator Diaz Sr. on what is currently going on in Albany, but to add a few additional footnotes that appear each week in my political column "100 PERCENT" 100 PERCENT is published in the Bronx News, Parkchester News, and Coop-City News.

Veterans Pre-Career Fair Forum

Council Member Ritchie Torres - Summer 2015 Newsletter

Dear Friend,

As we kick off Summer, we have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for: sunshine, picnics in the park, and outings with the family, to name a few. Summer is definitely one of the best times to explore our great borough and city, and I hope you are able spend some time out in the sun. In the City Council, I have been working on important issues that impact all residents of the District and across New York City, from advocating for investments in public housing to cleaning up our streets. Please read below for updates on my work and events that may interest you. As always, please reach out to my District Office if I can ever be of assistance: 718-842-8100. It is an honor to serve as your Council Member for the 15th District in the Central Bronx.   -Ritchie Torres   Celebrate LGBT Pride Month Across the world, June is recognized as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Pride month in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Riots and our continued fight for equal rights. Although our city and state has made tremendous progress in advancing rights for the LGBT community, there is still much work to do. The Council’s LGBT Caucus recently held its annual Pride Celebration and honored extraordinary individuals who have made significant contributions to the city’s LGBT community and advance social justice in their daily lives. I was honored to recognize Kim Watson, Co-Founder of Community-Kinship Life, for her dedication to bringing quality healthcare services to transgender New Yorkers. Her life story and work are an inspiration to us all. Using Art to Empower Youth In partnership with Groundswell and Kappa III Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy, I unveiled a new mural on Mapes Ave. The mural, entitled “Domino Effect,” was painted by Kappa III students and illustrates the impact violence has on the community and how an act of creativity can make a difference. The students used art as a tool to call for a more peaceful and just community, and I’m confident that the creation of this mural inspired them to develop their roles as artists and activists. Cleaning Up District 15 Clean streets improve the quality of life for our communities and help local businesses grow. In partnership with the Doe Fund, I funded street cleaning crews along East 180th St. and Morris Park Avenue. I’m also partnering with FedCap to rehabilitate vacant lots, such as Oliver Place and Decatur Avenue in Bedford Park. Are there lots that need cleaning and walls with graffiti that needs to be removed? Please contact my District Office and we’ll work to get them cleaned: 718-842-8100.    Advocating for Public Housing Residents  In my role as Chair of the City Council Committee on Public Housing, I am responsible for oversight of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). NYCHA has suffered from decades of city, state and federal disinvestment, which has magnified the security, maintenance and infrastructure problems at public housing developments. In coalition with my colleagues in the Council and NYCHA residents,  I advocated for a significant increase in the City and State’s support for public housing. The Mayor recently announced $300 million in funding over three years for roof replacements, waived NYCHA’s payments to the NYPD, which totaled $70 million a year, and will waive the $30 million NYCHA pays each year to the city in lieu of taxes on certain properties. These savings and investment will make a real difference in the quality of life for tens of thousands of NYCHA residents.   UCHC is IMPACT-ing the Health of Bronx Residents  Up to 10% of Bronx residents report experiencing serious psychological distress, compared to 5.5% of NYC residents overall. Ignoring mental health issues, such as depression, has a direct and negative effect on an individual’s physical health and the wellness of a community. Union Community Health  Center’s (UCHC) integrated model of primary and behavioral healthcare, dubbed IMPACT, is now offering all patients mental health services along with access to their internists, family medicine practitioners, OB/GYNs, and pediatricians as one unified care team. Health professionals at UCHC are trained to diagnose mental health issues like depression and anxiety as they occur, and support services at UCHC are available as individual or group therapy. A Spanish-language women’s support group began this Spring and other groups, including one for parents whose children have been diagnosed with ADHD, will launch soon. To make an appointment at Union Community Health Center call 718-220-2020 or for more information visit: http://www.uchcbronx.org/ Health Bucks, Farmers’ Markets & Access to Nutritious Food Access to nutritious food is essential to improving health outcomes for residents of the Central Bronx. Once again, I’m using discretionary funds to distribute Health Bucks- $2 coupons redeemable at local farmers’ markets. These coupons make fruits and vegetables affordable to all shoppers. If you are interested in receiving Health Bucks please contact my District office at718-842 -8100. Below are some of the farmers’ markets in and around Council District 15 where you can redeem Health Bucks:  Harvest Home Mt. Eden Farmers Market: Mt. Eden &  Morris Aves., at Bronx Lebanon Hospital – Tuesdays &  Thursdays, 8am-4pm. Harvest Home Echo Park Farmers Market: Ryer St. &  Burnside Ave. – Opens July 7 - November 17- Wednesdays,  8am-4pm. Inside MetroNorth Parking Lot – Saturdays, 8am-4pm La Familia Verde Farmers Market: East Tremont &  LaFontaine Aves. – Opens in July – Tuesdays, 8am-2pm. Poe Park Greenmarket: Grand Concourse & 192nd St. –  opens June 30th - Tuesdays 8am-3pm. West Farms Farmers Market: Boston Rd. & East Tremont  Ave., in Drew Gardens – Wednesdays, 10am– 3pm. New York Botanical Garden Greenmarket: Mosholu Pkwy.  at Kazimiroff Blvd. – Opens June 17th - Wednesdays, 9am-6pm.  The Botanical Garden’s popular Greenmarket returns for its  13th season. Come to the Library Allee by the Moshulu Gate  at the Garden to purchase some of the best and freshest  homegrown produce and treats from across the State.   Participatory Budgeting: Putting City Money to Work for Our  Community This Spring, my office completed the first cycle of the Participatory Budgeting (PB) process. This process places residents in charge of how $1 million City capital dollars are spent in their neighborhoods. During the Fall, residents submitted proposals for projects they wanted to see done in the District and considered for PB funding. Working with my office, Budget Delegates organized a PB Vote Week from April 11th-18th and more than 2,300 residents casted votes for projects that will bring much needed improvements to our schools, parks and public transit. The top 3 winning proposals are: 1st Place:  Security Cameras for Public Schools ($80,000)  - 1,352 Votes. Security camera systems will be installed on  the exteriors of Kappa III and M.S. 391/TAPCO. This will  allow staff to monitor the exterior of each school. 2nd Place: Bronx Park Improvements ($450,000) –  1,323 Votes. Renovations and enhancements will be made  throughout Bronx Park north of Pelham Parkway (known as  Bronx Park East). 3rd Place: NYPD Security Cameras ($315,000) – 1,288 Votes.  9 NYPD Security Cameras will be installed throughout District  15. The cameras will provide video feeds directly to local  police precincts. 4th Place: Air Conditioning for Public Schools ($145,000) –  1,236 Votes. Air conditioning units will be installed at PS 28,  PS 32, and PS 9. These units will keep classrooms cool in  warmer months. 5th Place: Bus Countdown Clocks ($80,000) – 935 Votes.  Digital displays will be installed at four bus stops, showing the  times buses will arrive. If you are interested in submitting project proposals for PB funding, contact my District Office at718-842-8100.   IDNYC at The New York Botanical Garden          The New York Botanical Garden is honored to participate in IDNYC’s inaugural year by providing a complimentary Community Grounds Membership to current IDNYC cardholders.  Benefits include year-round admission to the Garden grounds for an ndividual or family (2 adults and 2 children under age 16).  To join, you must present your valid IDNYC before December 31, 2015 at any ticketing window at The New York Botanical Garden, Tuesday- Sunday, 10 am-5pm.  Please note this membership offer is not available for current or recently lapsed (January 2012 – Present) Garden members. For a full explanation of this benefit at NYBG for IDNYC holders, please visit:  http://www.nybg.org/support_the_garden/membership/idnyc.php For more information about obtaining an IDNYC, please  call 311 or visit:http://www1.nyc.gov/site/idnyc/index.page My Legislative Work in City Hall CLEAN Act: Cleaning Up Industrial Laundries in the Bronx  and Outer Boroughs New York City’s industrial laundries clean the textiles, linens, tablecloths and gowns used by millions of people in the City’s hotels, hospitals and restaurants. These facilities employ more than 5,000 immigrant, low-wage workers and are concentrated in the Bronx and outer boroughs. I was shocked to learn that industrial laundries- unlike your neighborhood laundromat- currently go unregulated by the City’s Department of Consumer Affairs and are not required to meet health and safety protocols. Without regulations and oversight, industrial laundry workers are routinely exploited and work in unsanitary conditions that create serious public health risks for consumers. They are forced to sacrifice cleanliness in order to meet production quotas, which can lead to contaminated linens being used by the public. To help fix this problem, I introduced the City Laundry Equity and Accountability Act (CLEAN Act). If passed, the CLEAN Act would require industrial laundries to undergo inspections and obtain a license. By regulating industrial laundries, we can help protect the city from potential public health risks and safeguard a vulnerable and exploited work force.  The bill will be heard in the Council’s Consumer Affairs Committee on June 18th. In collaboration with Workers United, my office released a report on the unsanitary work conditions at industrial laundries. Read the report at: www.cleannyc.org and watch the Fox 5 segment here: Report: Dirty hotel, restaurant linens   Making School Diversity a Priority The Council recently passed my resolution calling on the City’s Department of Education to establish school diversity as a priority in admissions, zoning and other decision-making processes. The resolution passed as a part of the School Diversity Accountability Act, designed to confront segregation and increase diversity in NYC public schools. Read about the impact this will have on schools  here: Observer: “City Education Department Will  Be Required to Report on Diversity”  Upcoming Events Friday, June 5: Teens Take the Met! 5-8pm: Free Art Making,  Performances, Gallery Activities, and More, free for teens 13+.   Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave. at 81st St. More info: www.metmuseum.org/teennight Friday June 12: Parkside Clean-Up Day: 12pm. Residents  of Parkside Houses and the Bronx Park East neighborhood will  hold a cleanup day in the development. Residents will meet at  644 Adee Ave. Tuesday, June 23: Department of Transportation Helmet  Giveaway: 3:30-7pm. In collaboration with DOT, I will be  holding a bike helmet give away at PS 32. On a first come,  first serve basis, you can be fit for a free bike helmet.  690 E. 183rd St., Bronx. Friday, June 26: Fordham Road Film Festival: 8:30pm:  The Fordham Road BID will kick off their free summer film  screenings with “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good,  Very Bad Day”. For the full Film Festival list visit:   http://www.fordhamroadbid.org/ Tuesday, June 30: Centerlight Senior Prom: 2-5pm.  The 5th Annual Beth Abraham/Centerlight Senior Task Force  Senior Prom will have dancing, giveaways and refreshments.  Free admissions. For more information and to RSVP,  please call Carmen Cruz Lee, 718-519-4072,  ccruz-lee@centerlight.org or Jacqueline Kennedy-Saddler, 718-636-1000 x437, jkennedy-saddler@centerlight.org.  RSVP by June 10.    Folow me on Twitter: @RitchieTorres Find me on Facebook: Hon. Ritchie Torres CITY HALL OFFICE 250 Broadway, Suite 1759   New York, NY 10007 (212) 788-6966

DISTRICT OFFICE

573 East Fordham Road  

(Entrance on Hoffman Street) 

Bronx, NY 10458

(718) 842-8100

Fax: (347) 597-8570

SENATOR KLEIN, ASSEMBLYMAN DINOWITZ, COUNCILMAN COHEN CELEBRATE RIVERDALE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE COMMUNITY AND TEEN CENTER GRAND OPENING

   State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Council Member Andrew Cohen, Riverdale Neighborhood House Executive Director Daniel Eudene, civic leaders and local community members celebrated the grand opening of Riverdale Neighborhood House’s (RNH) new community and teen center at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday. Klein, Dinowitz and Cohen together provided more than $550,000 in state capital and municipal grants to modernize and upgrade the facility, as well as bolster social services programming in the Riverdale community.

Senator Jeff Klein said, “The Riverdale Neighborhood House has been an anchor to the families of  Riverdale since its inception more than a 100 years ago. For decades, parents have entrusted Riverdale Neighborhood House as both the first stop in their child’s education and as a great connector later for internships and job programs for teens. Riverdale Neighborhood House has offered essential social services, resources and support to countless families and I am proud to have provided these much-needed upgrades to the facility. I look forward to continuing to work together with Riverdale Neighborhood House to ensure that Riverdale’s families and children will be afforded these vital services for years to come.”

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said, “The Riverdale Neighborhood House has been a pillar in our community since it was founded over 140 years ago, and I am absolutely thrilled to be here for the ribbon cutting of its new facilities. For generations it has been an invaluable resource for children and families as a place to learn and grow together while also providing service to the community. I was more than pleased I could help provide funding for their new facilities along with my colleagues so that RNH can continue its long tradition of service and learning in Riverdale.”

Council Member Andrew Cohen said, “It is exciting to be here today for the ribbon-cutting of the new community and teen center at the Riverdale Neighborhood House. I was happy to be able to contribute funds for the social and recreational programming that Riverdale Neighborhood House will offer local teens through their center to help the younger people in our community better prepare for their future. Through the community and teen center, Riverdale Neighborhood House will be able to help the youth in the community build foundations for their educational and professional futures while also gaining meaningful social experiences. These social and recreational opportunities will enable these teens to understand community engagement and leadership qualities.”

Daniel Eudene, Executive Director of the Riverdale Neighborhood House said, “We are grateful for Senator Klein and Assemblyman Dinowitz's commitment to Riverdale Neighborhood House and the community we serve. They have been there since they took office and continue to look out for us every day. And Council Member Cohen has sprung into action allowing new programs and services to take off at RNH, including our expanded efforts to engage volunteers. Together they help RNH be the best we can be for the entire neighborhood.”

Senator Klein secured $250,000 in state capital funding, Assemblyman Dinowitz an additional $250,000, while Council Member Cohen added $75,000 in municipal grants. Together, this much-needed funding provided the following improvements to RNH:

• Construction of the community and teen center;
• Replaced the oil fired broiler with a high-efficiency gas fired unit;
• Installed new air conditioning units;
• Made the RNH pool accessible by providing an elevator and rail lift to ensure those with limited mobility can not only get to the pool but enjoy it;                    
• Greened the property which included making it more environmentally friendly, adding permeable asphalt and more plant life on the grounds;
• Provided new fencing and exterior lighting;
• Supported the new Telephone Reassurance Program (TRP) that includes phone calls to homebound older adults to ensure they are able to remain connected to the community and secure in their homes; and                           
• Supported social and recreational programming.

Riverdale Neighborhood House, founded in 1872, is a multi-purpose agency that helps families of all income levels and ethnicities through various social programs for children, teens and seniors, including Pre-kindergarten.