FPWA's Statement on Government Budget Cuts to Essential Human Services:

THE VOICE FOR STRUGGLING FAMILIES

The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA) is deeply disturbed about the impact of continuing budget cuts to vital services for New York’s struggling families, including youth programs, services to seniors and individuals with HIV/AIDS. We understand that the multiple rounds of budget cuts were part of the New York State and City’s efforts to responsibly address a worsening economy and growing budget deficits. Unfortunately, government cuts disproportionately impacts children and families who are increasingly vulnerable during tight fiscal times.

Though we understand the challenges faced by the state in these difficult economic times, these are also the times when people are without jobs, run out of unemployment, are at the verge of losing their homes, and have to turn to essential services to feed their families, clothe their children, pay for heat and medicine and other life needs. It is for these reasons that FPWA adamantly opposes any further reductions in funding for essential human services, which would have the most devastating impact on those already in greatest need.

• Click here to read the full Budget Statement pdf (73475 bytes)

Shoring up the Social Safety Net for Today's hard Times

FPWA’s report The State of NY's Social Safety Net for Today's Hard Times revealed a weakened social safety net and barriers to access to services for the unemployed and impoverished. Click here to read the report. As a result of our findings, FPWA has launched a campaign to ensure access to public assistance programs, reform the welfare sanctioning system and expand access to education and training for low-income people. Click here to learn more about this campaign