News Articles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2017

CONTACT: pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov, (212) 788-2958

NEW YORK — On Tuesday, June 27,  the de Blasio Administration will launch a “Start by Asking” faith leader outreach initiative with Robin Hood, Catholic Charities, UJA-Federation and Federation Protestant Welfare Agencies during a Benefits Access Breakfast with Faith and Community Leaders at FPWA. Partnering City agencies include the Human Resources Administration , the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, the Center for Faith and Community Partnerships, Department of Consumer Affairs, Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity, Mayor’s Office of Operations and Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit. The outreach initiative is a partnership between the City and Robin Hood to connect New Yorkers with a range of existing programs that can improve their financial security. 

The initiative will train 50 houses of worship and community organizations on benefits access screening and enrollment. In October, these organizations will participate in a “Weekend of Enrollment”, where they will screen and enroll New Yorkers for benefits and services throughout the 5 boroughs.

At the breakfast launch, faith and community leaders will learn about new tools their eligible constituents can use to easily access available benefits, which are available at nyc.gov/accesshra.

WHAT:         

Benefits Access Breakfast with Faith and Community Leaders 

WHEN:         

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

WHERE:      

Federation Protestant Welfare Agencies

40 Broad Street, 5th Floor           

New York, NY 10004

WHO:            

Wes Moore, CEO of Robin Hood

Reverend Michael A. Walrond Jr., Chair of the Mayor's Clergy Advisory Council

Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO and Executive Director of Federation Protestant Welfare Agencies

Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York

Gary Jenkins, Executive Deputy Commissioner, Family Independence Administration, HRA 

Jonathan Soto, Executive Director of the Center for Faith and Community Partnerships

Louisa Chaffee, UJA-Federation Senior Vice President for Public Policy and External Relations

“As  Catholic Charities celebrates is 100-year legacy and launches our next century of helping New Yorkers, we are strengthening our partnerships on behalf of our neighbors in need,” said Msgr. Kevin Sullivan,  Executive Director of Catholic Charities of New York.  “ We are proud to be part of this great  metropolis that does so much to help our neighbors through a variety of programs and services.   We also recognize that accessing these services can at times be daunting, and many fail to do so.   Catholic Charities  enthusiastically join this initiative to ensure improved financial security for New Yorkers in need by increasing  access to available benefits. “