Representative Rice has announced that $15,117,028 in Community Project Funding has been included in the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus government funding package, which passed the House by a vote of 225-201. This funding responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in New York’s Fourth District.
“As one of my final acts in Congress, I am proud to have secured more than $15 million in Community Project Funding that meets long-overdue community needs in New York’s 4th District,” Rep. Rice said. “These investments protect our drinking water, expand vital safety net services delivered by local nonprofits, address the mental health and substance use crises, and provide critical job training for Long Islanders. I look forward to President Biden signing this into law.”
Rep. Rice championed funding for 15 projects that will directly benefit residents of New York’s 4th District.These include:
- $3,000,000 for social and emotional learningprograms at the Baldwin Union Free School District
- $900,000 for the upgrades to Bunky Reid Park at the Yes We Can Community Center in North Hempstead
- $2,000,000 to expand homeless safety net programming for the Interfaith Nutrition Network, Inc. (The INN)
- $790,817 to provide behavioral health and wraparound services through the Senior Safety Net Program at the Family and Children's Association of Garden City
- $173,923 for a college and career center at the Freeport Union Free School District
- $128,468 for afterschool programming at the Hispanic Counseling Center in Hempstead
- $638,000 for programming aimed at reducing recidivism in Nassau County through the Woman’s Opportunity Rehab Center Justice Services Project
- $50,000 for a student support, mentoring, and enrichment program at the Long Beach Latino Civic Association
- $150,000 to provide mental health and substance abuse disorder services through the Student Assistance Program 2.0 at the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., in Westbury
- $75,000 for STEM education at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City
- $525,000 for homework and tutoring support at the Roosevelt Union Free School District
- $300,000 to provide mental health and supportive services through the Resilient Impactful Sustaining Empowerment Project at The Marion and Aaron Gural JCC in Cedarhurst
- $5,000,000 for Part B of the East Meadow Dioxane Mitigation Project in the Town of Hempstead
- $1,145,820 for workforce development activities at the Urban League of Long Island, Inc, in Plainview
- $240,000 for security improvements to the water operations of the Village of Freeport
“I want to sincerely thank Rep. Kathleen Rice for this nearly $1 million of funding for Bunky Reid Park in New Cassel,” said Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena. “Bunky Reid Park is a vital part of the community that plays an important role in providing a much needed outdoor recreation and wellness space. This funding will go a long way towards renewing and improving this outdoor community park with a new skate park, community gardens and pollinator areas, and improvements to the deteriorating swimming pool.”
On the $5 million funding secured for the East Meadow Dioxane Mitigation Project, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment Adrienne Esposito said, “This is wonderful news! The public needs and deserves clean drinking water. The toxic chemical 1,4 dioxane is not only carcinogenic but is also very difficult and expensive to filter out of drinking water. This substantial federal grant will not only provide clean water, but also keep water affordable by alleviating the financial burden to residents. This is a welcome holiday gift of clean water. Congratulations to Congresswoman Rice for providing a parting gift of clean water which will last for generations to come.”
“The Baldwin School District is enormously grateful to Congresswoman Rice for her commitment to our community, students, and faculty,” said Dr. Shari Camhi, Superintendent of the Baldwin School District. “The allocation of $3 million in support of mental wellness services is exceptional and will go a long way to ensure the emotional well-being and continued success of our Baldwin students and community.”
“Urban League of Long Island and constituents of NY-04 will now have much needed resources to empower those in need of life skills and workforce training to obtain jobs that close income disparities in low to moderate income communities,” said Thersea Sanders, President of the Urban League of Long Island. “On behalf of the Urban League, I would like to Thank Rep. Rice and Senator Schumer for their years of partnership and ability to secure this funding.”
“These dollars couldn’t come at a better time given the mental health issues facing Long Island’s seniors, especially in the wake of COVID,” said Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, President and Chief Executive Officer of Family and Children’s Association. “We are grateful for Congresswoman Rice’s and Senator Schumer’s tireless efforts to secure these vital funds.. The impact of their advocacy and vital work in Congress will last for years to come and we are thankful for their service.”
“The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC is incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Kathleen Rice for securing the much needed funds that will enable us to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health illness and educate our community on the warning signs and symptoms of mental illness,” said Cathy Byrne, Associate Executive Director of the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC. “Those living with mental health issues are deserving of care, understanding, compassion, and pathways to hope, recovery, and fulfillment. Thank you to Congresswoman Rice for her support of this vital initiative.”
“During the time of year when miracles are known to happen, The INN is so thankful to receive this wonderful news,” said Jean Kelly, Executive Director of the INN. “It will help make possible the much needed expansion of our services for hungry and homeless Long Islanders. Thanks so very much and our heartfelt gratitude to Congresswoman Rice and Senator Schumer!”
“We are excited to learn that our proposal for the creation of a Freeport High School College and Career Center has been funded. We appreciate the support of Congresswoman Rice in securing this funding. Freeport Schools is committed to college and career preparedness through numerous early college high school programs,” said Dr. Kishore Kuncham, Superintendent of the Freeport School District. “The College and Career Center will further enhance these services by providing our students with a myriad of opportunities to explore post-high school pathways.”
“We are thrilled to be receiving this support from Congresswoman Kathleen Rice,” said Andrew Parton, President of the Cradle of Aviation Museum. “Congresswoman Rice has been a constant supporter of our efforts to provide educational programs to all of Long Island.”
A detailed summary of the bill is available here.