Senator Shelley Mayer Recognizes the Community Resource Center in Mamaroneck for its Work Serving the Hispanic Community During the Pandemic

MAMARONECK, NY -- On Wednesday, October 28th, Senator Shelley B. Mayer presented the Community Resource Center (CRC) with the NYS Senate Empire Award in recognition of the nonprofit’s tremendous efforts serving the Hispanic community in Westchester to meet the challenges of the Coronavirus Pandemic. The award presentation was also in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The CRC is a nonprofit social services and advocacy organization dedicated to empowering and integrating new immigrants in Westchester. In the past year, the CRC has served nearly 4,000 adults, youth, and children in three primary areas: case management/social services; educational programs & workshops; and the Worker Center which handles job placement for men and women seeking employment.

During the Coronavirus Pandemic, the CRC worked with community partners to launch the Emergency Assistance Fund to provide cash assistance to families whose finances were impacted by the pandemic. Immigrant working parents have had to stay home from work to care for children out of schools; young people supporting their families have been laid off; and hourly & seasonal workers are no longer able to find employment. The pandemic created undue challenges for the immigrant community in Westchester, but the CRC has maintained its commitment to assist the community in meeting these challenges. The Emergency Assistance Fund helped over 250 Westchester families fight food insecurity, eviction and homelessness.
The ceremony took place outside of the CRC’s offices in Mamaroneck, and attendees observed social distancing and wore masks. At the ceremony, a local Mamaroneck family spoke about how the Emergency Assistance Fund helped them pay rent and put food on the table.

State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am pleased to award the Community Resource Center with the NYS Senate Empire Award in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month for its exceptional work serving the Hispanic community during the Coronavirus crisis. The CRC is a beacon of hope for the Hispanic community in Westchester during this extremely challenging time. I have been glad to support the CRC’s work throughout the years as they serve thousands of families by connecting them to social services, offering education programs, legal assistance, and employment resources. Last year, I was able to secure a grant for the nonprofit that led to it hiring a full-time staff attorney to help clients with immigration issues. When the pandemic hit, our community’s immigrant families were suffering alongside other community members. The CRC stepped up to create the Emergency Assistance Fund, and so far they have helped over 250 Westchester families fight food insecurity and meet the burden of housing costs after losing income. This dynamic nonprofit deserves to be celebrated for its tremendous work.”

Jirandy Martinez, Executive Director of the Community Resource Center, said “This year has been an extremely difficult year for our immigrant community, but this month, we continue to honor our heritage as it’s the strength of our ancestors that help us face every day—every challenge and overcome it. We thank Senator Shelley Mayer for this recognition and continued support. Community Resource Center’s Board of Directors and Staff commit to continuing to empower and protect our immigrant community, and we know we will get through this together. ¡Siempre adelante!”