Neighbors Link gets $1.2 million state boost to support influx of new clients

Speaker Carl Heastie, fara right, at Neighbors Link with Assemblymember, Dana Levenberg, Assemblymember Chris Burdick and Neighbors Link Executive Director Carola Otero Bracco. Stuart Marwell is at left. Contributed photo

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, joined by Assemblymembers Chris Burdick and Dana Levenberg, recently visited Neighbors Link, a program that has provided immigrant families educational, employment and legal services for over two decades, to announce $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,” Heastie said. “Neighbors Link does incredible work in the Westchester community and I’m honored to join Assemblymembers Burdick and Levenberg to announce this support.”

“For over 20 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,” Burdick said. “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,” Levenberg said. “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.” 

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 in new funding will support the renovation of this new space, allowing Neighbors Link to provide additional classroom spaces, children’s play areas and upgraded technology infrastructure for workforce development.

Heastie and Burdick also joined 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 programming for children across Westchester County, including after-school services. In this year’s state budget, the Assembly majority provided $140,000 to support the continuation of the after-school program for the Bedford Central School District after a new calculation removed its funding  eligibility, according to the Speaker’s office.