Community News
www.qns.com I LIC COURIER I AUGUST 2019 23
BY MAX PARROTT Hours before National
Night Out
Against Crime
on Aug.6, state
Senator Michael
Gianaris joined
residents and community leaders at
Queensbridge Houses Family Day
where he announced $58,000 in funding
for anti-violence programs at the
nation’s largest public housing complex
in Long Island City.
The funding will be administered by
the Jacob Riis Neighborhood Settlement
House, a community-based organization
which builds and strengthens underserved
communities in western Queens.
“We must keep our communities safe
from the scourge of gun violence,” Gianaris
said. “While I successfully fought
for new laws to keep guns out of the
hands of dangerous individuals, we can
never do enough to prevent tragedies
from occurring. I am pleased to secure
$58,000 in this year’s state budget to
take guns off our streets.”
On July 29, New York State enacted
Gianaris’ legislation creating a 30-day
background check waiting period. Christopher
Hanway, the executive director of
the Jacob Riis Neighborhood Settlement
House, said the vital funding would allow
for anti-violence work at the NYCHA
developments in western Queens.
“Community safety is the cornerstone
on which lively, thriving and healthy
neighborhoods are built and we thank
Senator Gianaris for allowing us the
opportunity to partner with community
residents in this important work.”
Gianaris successfully advocated
for increased funding for community
priorities in this year’s state budget
including $30,000 for the Gantry Parents
Association, $13,000 for Sunnyside
Community Services, $13,000
for Hunters Point Middle School and
$20,000 for Immigrant Families Together.
“Senator Gianaris’ announcement
of securing $58,000 in funding to
get guns off the street and stopping
violence in our community is great,”
Queensbridge Tenant Association
President April Simpson said. “This is
also true to what National Night Out
Against Crime symbolizes, community
partnerships that uplifts, engages and
unites us to stand together against
crime, and crimes committed in our
communities.”
Keeping
Communities Safe
Western Queens lawmaker brings much-needed
funding for anti-violence programs
Courtesy of Gianaris' office
State Senator Michael Gianaris joins Christopher Hanway and April
Simpson at Queensbridge Houses Family Day.
/www.qns.com
/www.qns.com
