Outgoing Queens/Long Island Congressman Tom Suozzi put forth his final act on Wednesday, Dec. 28, committing $14 million to 15 major projects across his district, which includes parts of northeast Queens. This funding is meant to address some of the district’s most pressing needs.
In Queens, the Bayside-based Center for Women of New York (CWNY) was one of the organizations to benefit from Suozzi’s funding.
Suozzi dedicated $1 million to CWNY for the purpose of providing classes and services for women’s advancement and empowerment as well as providing direct services and support for women as they navigate the New York City and state systems to transfer skills, start careers and search for jobs.
According to CWNY President Cecilia Venosta-Wiygul, Suozzi approached them last year and asked what projects could benefit from funding. Venosta-Wiygul told him that they were looking to begin programs from their new Bayside location, which would greatly benefit from funding.
“[These programs] include classes and services for women’s career advancement and empowerment, a think tank where women leaders would gather to find solutions to the challenges women face such as equal pay and the propagation of gender equality awareness and education on women’s issues,” Venosta-Wiygul said. “He was adamant on ensuring that the women in New York get what they need. It was an honor to work with Congressman Suozzi to secure the funding to serve all women and their families in our community. On behalf of the CWNY’s board, volunteers and the women the center serves, we are grateful for Congressman Suozzi’s support and commitment to gender equality and our community needs.”
Suozzi believes the advocacy and investment increases spread across CWNY and the other organizations will help the economy in Queens and on Long Island. He is optimistic middle-class working families and small businesses would benefit the most. Additionally, he hopes to protect the Long Island Sound.
“My biggest priority in Congress has been to fight for New York and ensure that my constituents on Long Island and in Queens receive their fair share,” Suozzi said. “I am proud that the House-passed appropriations bills consist of several items I have fought for, including investments in preserving the Long Island Sound, support for our vulnerable and aging populations and elder care, including Holocaust survivors, cancer research and technology, local infrastructure projects, emergency management and much more.”
CWNY wasn’t the only Queens-based organization to receive funding from Suozzi.
The Queens County Farm Museum also received $200,000, which will go toward purchasing new farm equipment and general operating expenses, such as insurance, agriculture supplies and staff for their workforce development program.
Additionally, another $750,000 was dedicated to Services Now for Adult Persons (SNAP) of Eastern Queens. The funding will go toward a construction project of a state-of-the-art facility that will include a commercial kitchen, dining area, classroom and programmatic and office space for SNAP to continue providing their direct services to independent seniors, those in need of support in the home and those with cognitive issues in need of monitoring.
Suozzi has represented Congressional District 3 since 2017. The district includes Little Neck, Whitestone, Glen Oaks, Floral Park and Queens Village, as well as parts of the North Shore and Nassau County on Long Island.
