Staten Island – Today, Assemblyman Charles D. Fall (D-Richmond) and Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Richmond) announced $50,000 in funding from each member for RUMC to expand their Cure Violence program and continue supporting victims of gun violence.

They stood with Dr. Daniel J. Messina, President and CEO of RUMC, at the ambulance receiving area at RUMC where their team meets far too many victims of senseless shootings. They were also joined by community leaders Uncle Chase from the Uncle Chase Foundation and Kamillah Hanks, President and CEO of YouthBuild Impact, who work tirelessly to set up our youth for success by providing them with the resources and training to shape their futures in positive ways. 

In just this year alone, there have been 20 victims of gun violence and five deaths as a result of shootings in the 61^st Assembly District. This time last year there were 17 shooting victims in the vicinity of the 120^th Precinct.

Assemblyman Charles D. Fall: “We cannot turn a blind eye to these acts of violence in our communities. We must remain committed to confronting this epidemic of gun violence head-on every step of the way. I am proud that Assemblyman Cusick and I were able to secure this funding for the Cure Violence team to provide more services for our community.” 

Assemblyman Michael Cusick: “As gun violence plagues our communities, it is crucial that our hospitals are properly equipped to handle whatever comes through the doors of their emergency rooms. I am glad that my colleague, Assemblyman Fall, and I were able to secure this funding to assist RUMC in doing their part to address gun violence on Staten Island.” 

“Between 2019 and 2020, there was a 112.5% increase in gunshot wounds treated here at RUMC,” President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel J. Messina, PhD, FACHE, said. “We went from treating 18 gunshot wound patients in 2019 to 30 patients in 2020. So far this year, we have already treated 20 gunshot wound patients, putting us on track to exceed last year’s increase. Nearly half of the gunshot wound patients we received in the past two years were from the zip codes 10301 and 10304. Zip codes identified as gun violence cluster zones by New York State. This support from Assembly Members Cusick and Fall will enable our Cure Violence team here at RUMC to continue engaging victims to curb gun violence, provide follow-up services, and support community mobilization activities. My thanks to both Assembly Members Cusick and Fall for their continued support of RUMC and this life-changing program.” 

“In the past month alone, we have seen a 14-year-old boy shot and another two teenagers shot at a Sweet 16 party. Enough is enough. These senseless shootings must stop, and we need to continue to deliver resources and opportunities that provide an alternative to violence, and not just thoughts and prayers. We need to do better by our kids and make sure they are set up for success at an early age and feel safe in their communities,” said Kamillah Hanks, President and CEO of YouthBuild Staten Island.