16 APRIL 15, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
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Rozic announces increase of $1.5 million in funding for
programming and services for Holocaust survivors
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
CMOHAMED@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
As the city marked the solemn
occasion of Holocaust Remembrance
Day on Thursday,
April 8, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic
announced an increase of $1.5 million
in funding to the Holocaust Survivors
Initiative that was a top priority in this
year’s state budget.
Rozic thanked Assembly Speaker
Carl Heastie and 10 state legislators
for their partnership in securing
the essential funding to assist Holocaust
survivors. This record allocation
marks an almost 400 percent
increase in funding from previous
year’s budgets.
“New York’s budget commits to
caring for those who need it most
– Holocaust survivors. It is our responsibility
to ensure that they have
access to all the necessary services
to live with the comfort and dignity
they deserve, especially with the
added health risks associated with
the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rozic said.
The funding approved in this
year’s state budget for Holocaust
survivors residing in New York will
provide financial assistance, mental
health care, legal services, transportation,
and sensitive end-of-life
care.As survivors age and navigate
expected challenges, they need additional
support for issues that stem
directly from experiences in the
Holocaust. Studies have found that
survivors face a higher incidence
of cancer, heart disease, PTSD, and
depression. More than 50 percent of
survivors living in New York City
can be classified as ‘very poor’ or
‘near poor’ under federal guidelines.
“This year’s budget backs up the
state’s support of Holocaust survivors
with landmark funding to ensure our
most vulnerable receive the services
and support they need,” Heastie said.
“Yom HaShoah is an annual reminder
of what can happen when hate is unchecked
and I am proud to reiterate
that New York rejects hate and stands
with survivors.”
Queens Assembly members who
joined Rozic in advocating for an
increase of funding to the Holocaust
Survivors Initiative, expressed their
Assemblywoman Nily Rozic QNS fi le photo
support for the measure.
“In a time where we must all be
socially distant due to the COVID-19
pandemic, these services are needed
now more than ever to help ensure
Holocaust survivors live and age in
dignity and respect,” said Assemblyman
David Weprin.
As thousands of Holocaust survivors
in New York live below or near
the federal poverty line, and countless
others are still affected by the
immeasurable trauma they experienced
as children and young adults,
Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi said it
is “imperative to protect this vitally
important group of individuals and
offer them every resource at our
disposal.”
Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal
highlighted the importance of providing
the resources that survivors
require in order for them to live with
grace and dignity.
“When the last of a generation that
survived unspeakable atrocities
needs help we have a duty to be there
for them,” Rosenthal said. “I proudly
stand with my colleagues in this
worthwhile effort.”
Me a nwh i l e , nonpr of i t
organizations such as the UJA-Federation
of New York and Commonpoint
Queens, applauded Rozic and her colleague’s
in the Assembly and Senate
for their unwavering commitment in
securing the funding.
“We are so grateful for Assemblywoman
Rozic’s advocacy and
efforts to provide these incredibly
meaningful resources for our community’s
Holocaust survivors and
their families,” said Danielle Ellman,
CEO of Commonpoint Queens. “It’s an
honor to work together to provide vital
programs, focusing on everything
from physical and mental health to
socialization opportunities.”
Eric Goldstein of the UJA-Federation
of New York, the largest local
Jewish philanthropy in the world,
said the lawmakers’ commitment
to helping survivors age with dignity
has resulted in the significant
investment.
“Because of their past trauma,
survivors often require a special set
of social, health, and mental health
services, and this funding will make
a huge difference helping these individuals,”
Goldstein said.
For Holocaust survivors, the
COVID-19 pandemic has meant more
than a year of living in insolation,
experiencing trauma, and demonstrating
resilience, according to
Stuart Kaplan, CEO of Selfhelp Community
Services, one of the largest
and most respected not-for-profit
human service agencies in the New
York metropolitan area.
As the city enters the final stage of
the pandemic, Kaplan said funding
and support from the government
is key to ensuring that survivors
continue to age with independence
and dignity they deserve, especially
those struggling with poverty and
deteriorating health conditions.
Masha Pearl, executive director
of The Blue Card, which assists
Holocaust survivors financially,
expressed gratitude to all of the
sponsors involved in allocating support
for Holocaust survivors living
in poverty.
“These funds are absolutely vital
for the health and well-being of this
extremely vulnerable population
and we are very appreciative that the
New York state Legislature remembers
them and supports them in these
challenging times,” Pearl said.
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