Peekskill, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today that he secured over $474,500 in an end-of-year resolution in the State Senate for additional grant funding distributed to 13 different recipients and aimed at a variety of community-based programs and initiatives.

“These investments provide crucial support to organizations that are providing services and opportunities to our most vulnerable residents,” said Harckham. “Many of these nonprofits operate on shoestring budgets and rely on the help of volunteers yet accomplish so much. This is funding that will empower residents in many ways, and I thank Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for acknowledging the impact of these organizations in our communities.”

Among those receiving funding through the end-of-year Senate resolution in FY2026-2027 State Budget:

• City of Peekskill (Community Violence Intervention – CVI): $50,000 for operational funding to provide vocational and recreational programming aimed at deterring violence among youths 
• Hope’s Door, Inc.: $65,000 for operational funding to provide survivors of domestic violences with legal services, referrals, counseling and shelter
• Medicare Rights Center, Inc.: $25,000 for operational funding centered on public education
• My Brother Vinny, Inc.: $50,000 for operational funding towards the distribution of furniture and houseware items to veterans 
• Neighbor’s Link: $17,500 for operational funding to provide legal services to the immigrant community 
• Opengate, Inc. (CAREERS Support Solutions): $80,000 operational funding to support vocational training for the Intellectual and Development Disabilities (I/DD) community
• The Ossining Micro Fund, Inc.: $15.000 Operational funding to provide interest-free loans to residents who encounter unexpected financial obstacles 
• Peekskill Hispanic Community Corp.: $22,000 for operational funding to support community initiatives for Spanish-speaking constituents
• The Prevention Council of Putnam, Inc.: $35,000 for operational funding toward substance use prevention services 
• Putnam / Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center: $35,000 for operational funding to provide survivors of domestic violence with legal services, referrals, counseling and shelter
• Support Connection, Inc.: $50,000 Operational funding to support people being treated for breast, ovarian and gynecological cancers
• Westchester Youth Alliance, Inc.: $23,000 for operational funding for youth programming

The funding, awarded at Harckham’s discretion, comes from several areas in the FY2026-2027 State Budget, including the state’s Division of Criminal Justice Services, Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Department of Health, Department of Labor, Department of State, Office of Mental Health, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation; plus the State Education Department, Urban Development Corporation and New York State Council on the Arts.

CarlLa Horton, Executive Director of Hope’s Door, said, “Hope’s Door is deeply grateful to Senator Pete Harckham for his steadfast support of survivors of domestic violence and for securing $65,000 in state funding to strengthen Hope’s Door’s vital services. This investment will help ensure that individuals and families in crisis have access to safe shelter, legal advocacy, community outreach, prevention education, and more. Senator Harckham’s commitment to protecting vulnerable members of our community makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve every day. We are proud to partner with him in our shared mission to create safer homes, healthier relationships, and a future free from violence.”

Katherine Quinn, Executive Director of Support Connection, said, “For years, Senator Harckham has been a strong advocate of Support Connection’s mission. Our Peer Counselors, cancer survivors themselves, provide compassionate, empathetic care and guidance and support services to people with breast, ovarian and other gynecological cancers. The $50,000 that we have been awarded will be used to help fund our counseling services and related wellness and educational programs.”

Tina Cornish-Lauria, Director of CAREERS Support Solution / Opengate, said, “Senator Harckham knows that CAREERS Support Solutions’ vocational programs (under Opengate, Inc.) make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with special needs. This funding helps expand opportunities for people with disabilities to gain valuable job skills, secure competitive employment and receive the ongoing support necessary to thrive in the workplace. Employment is more than a paycheck; it provides purpose, confidence, independence and strong connection to the community. This continued investment in our programs will empower more people with disabilities to reach their full potential.”

Jennifer Molinoff, President of the Ossining Micro Fund, said, “The Ossining Micro Fund is deeply grateful to Senator Harckham for his continued support of our mission to provide no-interest loans to hardworking individuals and families facing financial hardship. For more than 20 years, we have served as a trusted community resource, helping our neighbors overcome financial emergencies—most often related to housing and transportation—that could otherwise lead to instability and crisis. This grant will strengthen our operational capacity, allowing us to meet growing demand, improve our systems, and continue building a sustainable organization equipped to serve our community for years to come.” 

Kristen McConnell, Executive Director of the Putnam Prevention Council, said, “We’re incredibly grateful to Senator Harckham for championing public health and supporting our prevention efforts. Educating young people about the dangers of substance use and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to make healthy choices are critical to building safer communities. This grant allows us to expand that vital work, continuing to reach students and community members with prevention focused education while also increasing evidence-based safety strategies across our region. With this support, we’re helping to create a healthier, more informed future for our youth and our entire community.”

Piaget Solpiaget, Executive Director of Putnam Northern Westchester Women's Resource Center, said, “Violence thrives in silence and isolation, but healing happens through community. We are grateful to Senator Harckham for his continued investment in programs that support survivors and strengthen the safety net for vulnerable individuals and families throughout Putnam County and Northern Westchester. This funding helped us continue providing life-saving services, strengthen our technology and security infrastructure, and expand our ability to raise awareness and give voice to survivors through podcasting and digital media initiatives, ensuring that no survivor has to face violence alone.”

Leigh Taylor Mickelson, Interim Executive Director of the Westchester Youth Alliance, said, “At a time when young people are facing increasing isolation and division, investments in youth development are investments in the future of our communities. Sen. Harckham’s support is helping make it possible for Westchester Youth Alliance to connect teens across differences, develop leadership skills, and inspire civic engagement. When we invest in young people, we strengthen the future of our communities.”

Paula Miritello, Founder and Director of My Brother Vinny, Inc., said, “On behalf of everyone at My Brother Vinny, I am deeply grateful to Senator Pete Harckham for his continued support and for securing this vital funding. As a small but mighty organization, we have now served more than 3,100 veterans, helping formerly homeless U.S. veterans throughout the Hudson Valley rebuild their lives with dignity, comfort, and hope. Support from leaders like Senator Harckham makes this work possible and ensures that those who serve our country are not left to face a fresh start alone. Together, we are creating lasting change for our local heroes.”

Peekskill City Manager Matthew Alexander said, “The City of Peekskill is honored to receive funding in support of youth engagement with credible mentoring, workforce development and community violence prevention. The City has put together a team from its Youth Bureau, Workforce Development Program and the Police Department, which will work with participating youth in a program that stresses mentorship and empowerment through community connections. By investing in these positive pathways for our young residents, we can help build safer neighborhoods, foster stronger community relationships and create opportunities that deter violence before it occurs by filling our youth with hope and support. We look forward to using these resources to make a meaningful and lasting impact throughout Peekskill.”