Senators Kaplan, Kaminsky, & Savino Help Secure Record Funding for Holocaust Survivors in State Budget

(Albany, New York) — Senators  Anna Kaplan, Todd Kaminsky, and Diane Savino announced that they helped secure $1.5 million for the Holocaust Survivors Intiative in this year’s state budget. This figure represents a record amount of state aid for this vital program.

Senator Anna M. Kaplan said, “we can never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust, and we can never forget the Holocaust survivors who endured unthinkable tragedy in their younger years. We owe it to these survivors to provide them the resources that they need so they can have some stability in their golden years, and I was proud to fight for them to get $1.5 million in the state budget so that they can receive the critical care and services they deserve.”

“It is imperative that we look after our community's Holocaust survivors and ensure that they can live out their lives with dignity,” said Senator Kaminsky. “That is why I was proud to have helped secure $1.5 million in this year’s state budget for care, services and resources for survivors, representing a record amount of aid for this critical initiative. After all they have experienced — and following a year of isolation during the pandemic — that is the least we can do for them.”

“The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC is incredibly grateful to our State Senator Todd Kaminsky for his tremendous advocacy and for making a difference in the lives of thousands of Holocasut survivors living on Long Island.  The Senator has always been an active voice and supporter of the JCC's Holocaust Survivor programs.  Thank you for securing these critical funds and never forgetting this precious population that bore witness to the most horrific atrocities against mankind and humanity. As Elie Wiesel shared, ‘For the dead and the living, we must bear witness,’” said Gural JCC Associate Executive Director Cathy Byrne, RN/Gerontologist.

Funding from the Holocaust Survivors Initiative is used to support case management services for mental health services, trauma-informed care, crisis prevention, legal services and entitlement counseling, emergency financial assistance, socialization programs and training for caregivers and home health aides working with survivors, as well as end-of-life care.