For Immediate Release:
November 9, 2022
Contact:
Rachel Noerdlinger, rnoerdlinger@actumllc.com
Emma Brodsky, ebrodsky@actumllc.com
FPWA CEO JENNIFER JONES AUSTIN CELEBRATES NEW YORK CITY AS FIRST IN THE NATION TO PASS EQUITY BALLOT PROPOSALS
The Landmark Racial Justice Measures Were Backed by Over 70% of Voters
New York, NY (November 9, 2022) –Today, Jennifer Jones Austin, the CEO and Executive Director of FPWA (The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies), released the following statement in response to New York City passing three landmark racial equity proposals put forth by the NYC Racial Justice Commission. New Yorkers voted resoundingly in favor of the ballot measures, which were backed by 70% or more of voters.
“Yesterday, New Yorkers made history when they voted to enshrine racial justice and economic equity in our city’s Charter by passing the NYC Racial Justice Commission’s three ballot proposals. A shining example of local democracy amid political upheaval across the country, New York City leads as the first in the nation to take formal steps to dismantle structural racism in city government.
New Yorkers will experience a profound change in how our city designs and executes policies and programs to serve historically marginalized and underfunded communities, enabling all our city’s residents to lead dignified, safe, and prosperous lives for themselves and their families.
Since our founding 100 years ago, FPWA has fiercely advocated for New Yorkers who have too often been left behind. As we celebrate today’s achievement as a major step forward towards eradicating structural racism, we’ll continue to engage with city government to ensure that this increased access to life-changing resources and opportunities becomes reality for all New Yorkers.”
About FPWA
FPWA is an anti-poverty policy and advocacy organization committed to advancing economic opportunity and upward mobility for New Yorkers with low incomes. FPWA has long served New York City’s social service sector, advocating for fair public policies for people with low incomes and the agencies that serve them. FPWA’s member network of 170 human-service and faith-based organizations reach more than 1.5 million people living in New York’s communities each year. Find out more at fpwa.org, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
###
