While Governor Paterson’s proposed budget is a good first step to correcting the severe financial crisis facing NYS.  However, his proposal to stop funding supportive housing for families will burden the state’s emergency services which are proven to be far more costly per person than permanent supportive housing which has been effective in reducing homelessness across the state.

Read the full version here: http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget1011/ExecutiveBudget.html

WASHINGTON, DC – Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today hailed House passage of their bill, H.R. 1700, to establish a National Women’s History Museum near the National Mall in Washington. “From Louisa May Alcott to Kristi Yamaguchi, the story of what women have contributed to the American way of life is a story long overdue for the telling,” Rep. Maloney said. “House passage today is a recognition of that story. Thanks to the leadership of Speaker Pelosi—a trailblazer herself—and Chairman Oberstar and subcommittee Chair Norton, American women are one step closer to a long-overdue ‘museum of our own’.”
“Thank goodness women understand that good things are worth fighting for. As Chair of the subcommittee considering this bill, I had to maneuver through the technicalities that always come with federal land transfer. I am grateful that the perseverance of the women who conceived the idea of this museum was the wind at my back,” said Rep. Norton.
“Today the House has sent a powerful message to young women all across this country,” said Rep. Capitol. “With the National Women’s History Museum on the National Mall, Americans of all walks of life will have the opportunity to honor and remember the contributions women have made to our great nation. I’m honored to be a co-sponsor of this important resolution and I applaud the joint effort of my colleagues in making this bill a reality.”
“After many years of working toward this goal, passage of the House bill is a remarkable achievement for the National Women’s History Museum!” said Joan Wages, President and CEO of the National Women’s History Museum. “We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Rep. Maloney for championing our efforts to ensure that women are honored in our nation’s capital.”
The bill directs the General Services Administration to sell property, located across from the National Mall at 12th and Independence, to the museum at a fair market rate.
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) is expected to introduce the Senate companion to H.R. 1700.

Binghamton, NY, October 15, 2009- The Supportive Housing Network of New York is honoring the YWCA Binghamton/Broome County as, “Residence of Year.” Each year the Network honors two supportive housing residences in New York State; one upstate and one downstate.
The Network represents over 180 nonprofit organizations that develop and operate supportive housing across the state. With offices in New York City and Albany, the Network is the only supportive housing membership organization in New York State. It is the voice of the provider community that has created by far the largest, best-managed and most innovative supportive housing stock in the nation.

Established in 1988, the Network’s membership continues to expand alongside the rapid growth of supportive housing. It now includes almost every supportive housing provider in the state, as well as over 890 affiliate and corporate partners. Thanks in part to the Network’s efforts to promote the supportive housing model, there are now over 39,000 units of supportive housing in New York State alone, with 11,000 more units in the development pipeline.

The YWCA Binghamton/Broome County is receiving this honor because it is a model showcase for supportive housing in upstate New York. For decades the YWCA was struggling to operate, not able to meet the critical needs for the homeless in the community. It was held together with duct tape and prayers. Today, it is stunningly gorgeous held together with strong bricks and mortar, community activism and service contracts.

Prior to reconstruction residential services could house approximately 30 women. With renovations the YWCA can house nearly 60 women and children. This major renovation project created 54 efficiency and one-bedroom apartments. Furthermore, prior to construction childcare had a capacity of 30; the capacity is now 64 with a design that creates a more safe and child-friendly environment. The renovations have allowed the YWCA to have modern and spacious meeting rooms, to assist in promoting all aspects of the mission. These rooms are being used for Racial Justice Empowerment Groups, ENCOREplus outreach events and the YWCA has opened the space up for community use.

The Network has played an important role in the redevelopment of the YWCA. Without the direct intervention and leadership provided by the Network, it is hard to imagine what would happen to the 60 women and their children served by the YWCA’s residential services program.
On October 27, seven residential services staff members, Executive Director Carole Coppens, Architect Richard Vitto of OCV Architects, Richard Greco of Fahs Construction Group, and Amy Larovere, Project Developer, will be at the Network’s 2009 Awards Gala in New York City to receive the “Residence of Year” award.

The YWCA is home to programs which empower women and eliminate racism in the Binghamton community. These programs include residential programs for homeless women and children, the Young Wonders Early Childhood Center, ENCOREplus Breast and Cervical Health Program, Racial Justice Empowerment Group and Aquatics programming. For community members that would like more information on the aforementioned programs call Carole Coppens, Executive Director 772-0340, at ext.227.

The next RJEG will meet Tuesday, August 11 2009 in the 2nd floor meeting room at the YWCA Binghamton. For more information, or to attend, please call 607-772-0340 x237

The Binghamton YWCA held a long awaited Open House at its 80 Hawley Street Residence on October 17th, after extensive renovation conducted by Fahs Construction Company. In addition to doubling the number of women and children served, the project preserves a historical landmark in downtown Binghamton. Residential services, childcare and community programs benefit from the increased space and child-friendly layout.
The Binghamton YWCA honored the project’s architect, Richard Vitto, for his extraordinary work with the historic structure by naming its early childhood center after him. A number of local elected officials attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Broome County Executive Barbara J. Fiala, Broome County Social Services and Mental Health Commissioner Arthur R. Johnson, and Binghamton Mayor Mathew Ryan.

Carole Coppens, Executive Director, presented Alice Mills awards to three YWCA staff members for their work toward ending violence against women. The recipients of the award include Robin Fechter, Social Worker at the YWCA for a year and a half in the Intensive Independent Living Program and Shelter Plus Care; Erin Kishpaugh, Social Worker at the YWCA for 2 years in the Adult Housing Program and Lisa Albanese, Resident Assistant at the YWCA for two and a half years.

The YWCA would like to congratulate Theresa Bovier, Emergency Housing Case Manager, for receiving her Master of Public Administration degree from Binghamton University this December. We would like to say goodbye to Terri Shields, Emergency Housing and YWRAP Case Manager, as she resigned from the YWCA last month. We thank Terri for the hard work and dedication she provided to the YWCA over the past 4 years. The YWCA residential staff welcomes Erin Mann to her new role as Case Manager for the YWRAP program.