CPC Holds 6th Annual State Advocacy Day in Albany | Chinese-American Planning Council
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CPC Holds 6th Annual State Advocacy Day in Albany

Feb
28

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Date: February 27, 2024

Press Contacts: 

Alice Du, Director of Communications | (212) 792-4585 | adu@cpc-nyc.org

 CPC Holds 6th Annual State Advocacy Day in Albany

To advocate for increased state resources for Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), immigrant, and low-income communities

New York, NY --  Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), the nation’s largest Asian American social services organization, alongside over 350 staff and community members, gathered in Albany today for CPC’s 6th Annual State Advocacy Day. CPC led a rally and coordinated meetings with over 50 elected officials, providing a platform for staff and community members to engage in discussions with officials about budget and legislative priorities. Additionally, CPC continued its advocacy for the essential services it provides to low-income and immigrant communities. 

A few of CPC’s priority issues this year include:

  • Fully funding human services, including committing to a multi-year cost-of-living-adjustment for the entire workforce (Just Pay Campaign) and restoring and expanding funding for the Settlement House Program, Adult Literacy, Summer Youth Employment Program, Senior Housing and Supportive Services, Care Coordination Organizations/Health Homes, Early Childhood Education Programs, and Open-Ended Preventive/Protective Child Welfare Services 
  • Investing $54.35 million in AAPI organizations to address the historical underfunding of AAPI communities across the state (AAPI Equity Budget)
  • Establishing a permanent unemployment bridge program for undocumented workers by investing $500 million in a fair and equitable unemployment insurance system (Unemployment Bridge Program)
  • Increasing wages and ensuring livable wages for home care workers (Fair Pay for Home Care), establishing dignified working schedules for home care workers through replacing 24-hour live in shifts with 12-hour split shifts, fully funding Medicaid to eliminate the home care shortage, and ensuring good wages and working conditions for home care workers and adequate and dignified care for all who need it.
  • Passing Good Cause Eviction to protect tenants against unjust evictions and keeping our communities in their homes.
  • Investing in New York by passing revenue-raising bills to fund $40 billion in new investments to ensure that vital programs and safety net services are fully funded.

“CPC’s 6th Annual State Advocacy Day sends a powerful message to government officials: the State budget must reflect the priorities of the State’s fastest growing community, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. From fully funding human services and investing in the AAPI Equity Budget to having a COLA for human services workers and increasing home care workers’ wages, CPC is committed to amplifying the voices of all New Yorkers, particularly our underserved AAPI communities,” said Wayne Ho, President & CEO of CPC. “We will continue to collaborate with elected officials and allies to advance our mission and provide all New Yorkers with the necessary knowledge, resources, and supports to succeed in life.”

CPC met with over 50 legislators today, including Senator Iwen Chu, Senator Michael Gianaris, Senator John Liu, Senator Andrew Gounardes, Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, Assemblymember Steven Raga, Assembly Member Nily Rozic, and Assemblymember Amanda Septimo.

“Asian American and Pacific Islanders are one of the fastest growing populations in New York State and I’m proud to represent significant AAPI communities in my district. I’ve heard from countless constituents the hardships they currently face, from rising cost of living, healthcare expenses, and more. I join Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) and my colleagues in the fight to fund social services for immigrant communities in the FY25 budget,” said New York State Senator Iwen Chu. “Social services have the power to uplift families and communities out of poverty. New York State must do the right thing by funding and expanding the AAPI Equity Budget, the Settlement House Program, Unemployment Bridge Program, Adult Literacy, senior services, and immigrant legal services.”

“I look forward to continue working with New York’s growing Asian-American population and organizations like the Chinese-American Planning Council to address the needs of the AAPI diaspora,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “Last year, we secured $30 million in funding to deliver essential services and combat the rise in anti-Asian hate crime. This historic level of funding helped address financial inequities and expand the capacity of dozens of AAPI community organizations.  Together we will continue this historic investment and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our Asian American communities.”

"The strength of New York is that people from all walks of life can—with a little grit and determination—achieve their dreams here. But for too many immigrant and low-income communities, that dream is slipping out of reach," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "If we want New York's Asian American and Pacific Islander communities to continue to thrive, we need to invest in them. That means fully funding social service providers and including cost-of-living adjustments in their contracts, so their hardworking teams have resources to serve New Yorkers for the long haul. It also means correcting the historic underinvestment in AAPI organizations to ensure communities across the state are safe, supported and have what they need to support their families and build successful lives. I'm grateful to the CPC for their tireless advocacy to keep the New York dream alive for all New Yorkers."

New York State Senator John Liu stated, "CPC has been on the forefront of promoting the social and economic empowerment of NYC’s greater Asian American community for decades. They are an integral part of the Equity Budget Coalition, which fights for AAPI funding parity throughout the state, and their continued presence and advocacy here in Albany sends a strong message that as New York’s Asian American communities continue to grow, so does their need for programming and services that are inclusive and fully funded."

"It is my honor to join the Chinese-American Planning Council as they rally to highlight the indispensable role of social services in supporting our immigrant communities. It is imperative that we prioritize funding for these services in the FY25 budget, as they are not just government programs, but lifelines that empower individuals and families to navigate and thrive in their new environments. By coming together, we highlight our collective commitment to inclusivity, equity, and the unwavering support of every member of our community," said Assembly Member Catalina Cruz.

“I am happy to welcome the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) to Albany as they advocate for a host of priorities to improve our state,” said Assembly Member Harvey Epstein. “ I am particularly appreciative that CPC has made the passage of my bill A6899 which eliminates the 24-hour workday for home care aides, a top priority. 24-hour shifts can endanger the health and safety of both home care workers and care recipients. We must put an end to this dangerous practice this session”

"I am proud to stand alongside advocates and colleagues, fighting for the rights of our AAPI, working-class and immigrant neighbors. We are advocating for affordable housing, fair wages and increased protections for our vulnerable populations. Passing bills like Coverage For All, that would allow undocumented immigrants to enroll in New York State’s Essential Health Plan, is critical to the development and survival of our communities. Healthcare is a basic human right, regardless of immigration status. One Fair Wage is a bill that I sponsor that protects our service workers, many of whom are immigrants and women of color. CPC has long been an incredible partner, uplifting every voice in our community and fighting for the dignity of every New Yorker," said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas.

“I am reminded of the critical need to champion policies that directly impact the heart of our communities. From the Just Pay Campaign, ensuring our dedicated human services workforce receives a deserved cost-of-living adjustment, to advocating for the significant investment of $54.35 million in AAPI organizations that serve New Yorkers, we are addressing crucial gaps. Today, we stand united with the Chinese-American Planning Council in pushing for the establishment of a permanent unemployment bridge program and the imperative increase in wages and improved working conditions for home care workers. It is through these actions, on days like today, that we reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding and enhancing the lives of those we serve, ensuring no one is left behind,” said Assembly Member Steven Raga.

CPC offers wraparound services to over 80,000 New Yorkers annually through a diverse range of over 50 programs. These include emergency food assistance, early childhood education, public benefits and unemployment assistance, support for community members with disabilities, and services for older adults.

For more information about CPC and its range of community services, please visit www.cpc-nyc.org.

 

About the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC):

The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) is a social services organization that creates positive social change. Founded in 1965, CPC is the nation’s largest Asian American social services organization and aims to promote the social and economic empowerment of Chinese American, immigrant, and low-income communities of New York City. CPC is the trusted partner to individuals and families striving to achieve goals in their education, family, community, and career.

關於華人策劃協會 (華策會):

華人策劃協會（簡稱“華策會”）是一個致力於創造正向社會變革的社會服務機構。華策會成立於1965年，是美國最大的亞裔美國人社會服務機構，旨在促進紐約市華裔美國人、移民及低收入社區的社會權益和經濟賦權。華策會是為個人和家庭實現其教育、家庭、社區及職業目標而努力的可信賴機構。

ACERCA DE CPC

El Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) es una organización de servicios sociales que crea un cambio social positivo. Fundada en 1965, CPC es la mayor organización de servicios sociales asiático-americanos del país y su objetivo es promover la capacitación social y económica de las comunidades chino-americanas, inmigrantes y de bajos ingresos de la ciudad de Nueva York. CPC es el socio de confianza de personas y familias que se esfuerzan por alcanzar objetivos en su educación, familia, comunidad y carrera.

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Press Coverage: World Journal