U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced Tuesday that they have successfully secured more than $8.8 million in federal funds for a variety of Queens projects, as part of the recently passed FY2024 spending bills.
The funds are to be spent on programs and infrastructure that aim to enhance healthcare, promote workforce development, and preserve the cultural heritage of Queens.
“I won’t stop fighting to deliver the resources needed to better our communities and support the incredible organizations that help them flourish,” Schumer said in a statement.
A large chunk of the funding, $2 million, has been allocated for the construction of a new Mother-Baby unit at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. The initiative seeks to centralize Maternal Services on a single floor to enhance the patient experience, facilitating family bonding and healing by allowing family members to stay overnight with the new mothers and babies.
The senators said that $1.5 million has been allocated to India Home, which caters to the needs of the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean senior immigrant community, for the establishment of the South Asian Cultural Housing and Assisted Living (SACHAL) facility. This project aims to provide culturally sensitive assisted living and enriched housing for low-income and immigrant South Asian seniors, addressing the unique needs of this rapidly growing demographic in New York.
The Young Men’s Christian Association of Greater New York is slated to receive $1.5 million for the renovation and expansion of the Flushing YMCA. The funding will not only be used to make the community center ADA-accessible but will go toward enlarging the facility to accommodate more programs, such as early childhood education and summer camps, bolstering community development and workforce support.
Among the notable investments is $1 million towards the USACE Construction, Section 219 Environmental Infrastructure Project in Queens, NY. This project focuses on constructing a cloudburst stormwater management system in Forest Hills to alleviate flooding from heavy rainfalls, enhancing water quality and providing public amenities.
With a vision towards supporting families and youth, $975,000 has been granted to Project Lead Inc., for services ranging from food assistance to career readiness programs, primarily benefiting Bukharan emigres. Additionally, $912,000 has been allocated to East River Development Alliance Inc.—for Urban Upbound’s Citywide Youth Development and Training program—aimed at securing long-term employment for low-income youth while integrating financial empowerment and mental health services.
“These federal dollars are proof of the federal government at work for the Queens community,” stated Gillibrand. “I’m proud to have fought to secure this funding, and I’ll continue to work tirelessly to make sure families, workers, and businesses in Queens have what they need to thrive.”
The funding package also includes $500,000 for the Louis Armstrong House Museum, which is located in Corona, to ensure the preservation of the jazz legend’s home, allowing future generations to explore Armstrong’s profound impact on American music and culture.
Finally, New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) is set to receive $500,000 to expand its workforce development program, offering a suite of services including professional skills development, legal support, and job search assistance, focusing on immigrant workers and their families.
