CSCS: Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, Inc.

Action Alert

ACTION ALERT
June 14, 2010

ADVOCACY WORKS!
TITLE XX STATE FUNDS FULLY RESTORED!

• Thanks to all your advocacy, the state legislature and Governor Paterson reached an agreement to fully restore funding for senior centers under Title XX funding. Loss of $18 million in state funds would have meant the closing of up to 110 senior centers.
• The most recent budget extender bill includes language that returns to the original budget language allowing for title XX funds to be spent on “discretionary” services which includes senior centers in NYC.

$301 MILLION CUT TO AIM FUNDS CLOSING 50 SENIOR CENTERS


• It is easy to get the funding streams confused. While the Title XX victory is huge, the $6 million that is closing 50 senior centers, comes from a different pot of money called AIM.
• Governor Paterson’s budget eliminates all AIM funding to NYC, $301 million. This is general money for various city services. The budget bills of both the Assembly and Senate in May restored $150 million to AIM. Now we are hearing that they may restore none of it. This threatens the funding of the 50 senior centers.
• Please contact your State Assemblymembers and State Senators and urge them to restore AIM funds and make sure that $6 million is for senior centers.

SENIORS, STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHOULD CALL STATE ASSEMBLYMEMBERS AND SENATORS IMMEDIATELY:

For those senior centers that are slated to close, the message is to your State Assemblymember and Senator: “Thank you for restoring Title XX funds for senior centers. It is the AIM money that must be restored to keep our senior center open after June 30th . Only $6 million of AIM money is needed to keep all 50 senior centers open. Please help us.”

Even if your senior center isn’t closing, it is important to speak up for all seniors losing their center. Seniors and staff should make calls. Please contact your Assemblymember and Senator: “Thank you for restoring Title XX funds for senior centers. It is the AIM money that must be restored to keep the 50 senior centers open after June 30th . Only $6 million of AIM money is needed to keep all 50 senior centers open. Please help.”

For further information, please contact Bobbie Sackman, (212) 398-6565 x226 or bsackman@cscs-ny.org

CSCS – THE POWER OF AGING!