Call Now for Westchester Works to be Fully Funded!

The Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship Program is slated for a 50% cut in the proposed 2025 Westchester County budget. Westchester County plans to spend much more on child care next year, but the increase is for Child Care Assistance, funded almost entirely out of state and federal dollars, not local taxes.

Why is this a problem? Because child care is often the biggest bill in the home, and a struggle for almost every Westchester family. Infant center-based care averages over $25K.

Westchester has long been a leader in child care. Let's keep it up. Restore the funding for Westchester Works in 2025!

Help Pass the NY ERA/Prop 1 This November

New Yorkers deserve the freedom to control our own bodies, lives, and futures. But across the country, politicians are restricting people’s rights and freedoms, including the right to abortion. Here in New York, it’s critical that we, the voters, guarantee our own rights and freedoms in our state constitution so that they are permanently protected, and not left up to the whims of politicians. 

New Yorkers can vote for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)/Prop 1 in November 2024 and, if approved, it will be added to the NY State Constitution. Help Planned Parenthood spread the word about the ERA/Prop 1, and mobilize supporters and volunteers to be a part of the grassroots organizing movement.

Sign-on Letter to Governor Hochul in Support of Legislation to Address Issues with Nonprofit Contracting

With our advocacy, S.4877-A (Mayer) / A.2740-B (Paulin), has passed both chambers this session and we are now advocating for Governor Hochul to sign the bill. We know the burden caused by delays in executing and reimbursing nonprofit contracts in New York State impacts organizations across all service areas, the institutions that work with them, and, most importantly, the people and communities we serve. Please read the letter and sign on by EOD Thursday, August 1st.

Request for Letters of Support for MorDance's Congressionally Directed Spending Proposal

MorDance, legal business name Morballet INC, is seeking letters of support for Senator Gillibrand's formal request for MorDance to receive $4,491,000 in congressionally directed spending. These funds will be used to purchase and develop a permanent home for MorDance at 86 Main Street in Yonkers, NY. This new center will allow MorDance to expand its impactful programs and further its mission of inspiring civic engagement, fostering social responsibility, and championing environmental stewardship through the art of dance. 

NPW Responds to NYS Budget Agreement 

The 2.84 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), with only 1.7% allocated directly for eligible workers' salaries, falls short of the 3.2% COLA advocated for by the nonprofit sector. A 3.2% COLA would have not fully, but more significantly, addressed the needs of the workforce, the majority of whom are women and people of color. Read an overview of the FY2025 NYS Budget. 

Take action to end child poverty in Westchester and beyond

WCA released its 2024 report on Child Poverty, “Uplifting Courageous Voices: From the Frontline of Poverty in Westchester County" on March 7, 2024. This report is the result of months of documenting parent experiences and identifying program and policy supports to alleviate the impact of poverty. Contact your New York State elected officials now to raise our voice for child poverty.

Take Action Today to Increase Child Care Educators' Pay

Right now the NYS child care workforce makes less than 96% of all NYS occupations. As a result, many child care jobs go unfilled, leading to programs unable to enroll new children. Caring for and educating our young children is not babysitting. It is demanding work, calling for skill and knowledge and patience. The people who do this important work, generally women and often women of color, should be compensated like the professionals that they are. In less than 1 minute you can let Governor Hochul and your NYS legislators know that it's time to pay our child care workforce like the invaluable professionals they are.

Contact Senator Schumer in Support of Funding Change that will Benefit Housing in Westchester

Westchester residents and agencies like FSSY  and Westchester Children's Association need your help! 900+ homeless Westchester households now housed with Continuum of Care's Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Rehousing Subsidies, as well as Westchester landlords and providers of homeless services deserve the same funding and consideration by HUD as all the other surrounding counties

Tell Congress Women Deserve Equal for Equal Work!

Fair wages are essential to women’s economic security. When women are paid less, they have less money for basic family necessities like rent, groceries, health care, transportation, and child care. Closing the wage gap is integral to improving the health and well-being of women and families. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S.728 / H.R.17) would strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 by providing robust protections against gender-based pay discrimination, particularly for women facing additional systemic barriers to achieving economic security. 

2024 NY State Budget Overview; Top Highlights & Key Proposals

On January 16, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul announced her proposed Fiscal Year 2025 (FY ’25) Executive Budget to the New York State Legislature. The address set the stage for budget discussions with state legislative leaders Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins as they embark on a critical financial process, reflecting a complex mix of continuity, adaptation, and response to evolving needs amidst challenging times. Read the budget overview, top highlights and key proposals of the proposed $233 billion budget below.