Speaker Heastie Joins Assemblymembers Chris Burdick and Dana Levenberg at Neighbors Link, Announcing $1.2 Million for Building Renovation

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour this week with Assemblymembers Chris Burdick and Dana Levenberg at Neighbors Link, a program that has provided immigrant families educational, employment and legal services for over two decades. To support their work, Speaker Heastie, Assemblymember Burdick and Assemblymember Levenberg announced $1.2 million for building renovations.

“New York has a long history of immigration and it is our duty to continue the tradition of supporting new residents with open arms and hearts,” said Speaker Heastie. “Neighbors Link does incredible work in the Westchester community and I’m honored to join Assemblymembers Burdick and Levenberg to announce this support.”

“I want to thank Speaker Heastie for joining us today to announce this funding for Neighbors Link,” said Assemblymember Burdick. “For over twenty years, Neighbors Link has made our community a stronger place by helping new residents with the additional services they need to make Westchester their home. I’m overjoyed we were able to provide this funding for them to increase their reach and range of services. Neighbors Link is truly a beacon of hope to so many in our community.”

“It is our duty to ensure that Westchester County has the support services needed to make our community welcoming for all,” said Assemblymember Levenberg. “Neighbors Link has stepped in to help new residents with legal and educational opportunities for two decades now, but as the need continues to grow, we must ensure they have all the resources they need to continue providing for our families. This funding will allow them to totally transform their new space, as they look to expand services to families across our community.”

Speaker Heastie, Assemblymember Burdick and Assemblymember Levenberg met with Executive Director Carola Otero Bracco at Neighbors Link. Since 2001, Neighbors Link has provided immigrant families education, work center training, legal services and early childhood programs to support their healthy integration into Westchester County. Recently, Neighbors Link has received an influx of new clients and is leasing a new location across the street to expand services. The $1.2 million announced today will go towards supporting the total renovation of this new space, allowing Neighbors Link to provide additional classroom spaces, children's play areas and upgraded technology infrastructure for workforce development.

Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Burdick also joined Boys & Girls Club CEO Alyzza Ozer at the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester. Established in 1938, the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester has provided high-quality developmental programing for children across Westchester County, including after-school services. In this year’s budget, the Assembly Majority provided $140,000 to support the continuation of the Boys & Girls Club’s after-school program for the Bedford Central School District after a new calculation removed its eligibility.