To the Editor,
Although recent U.S. Census figures illustrate a declining national poverty rate, down to 12.7 percent in 2016 from 13.5 percent in 2015, the inescapable fact was that nationally more than 40 million people were living in poverty. New York City similarly has witnessed a slight decline, as well. Yet, a report from NYU’s Furman Center found that 44.8 percent of New Yorkers were living in what was termed “extreme” or “high” poverty neighborhoods last year.
These troublesome findings highlight a need to ensure that New Yorkers confronting economic insecurity are connected with resources to improve their living standards. This effort needs to be a priority to improve health care, employment and quality of life across our city.
For more than 100 years, the Women’s City Club of New York has worked to address equity issues, championing policies that increase access and secure rights for those who are struggling to put food on their tables and roofs over their heads.
In response to these ongoing needs, the Women’s City Club developed “The Citywide Guide to Services and Resources in New York.” The guide is a print and online portal featuring hundreds of low- and no-cost resources covering 21 areas of need, from jobs programs and education to health care, child care and nutrition—and one for each borough, available in multiple languages.
Although we have worked hard to include a wide array of services and resources across the city, we want to be sure that these resources are as comprehensive as possible. We need your help. We are asking for help from your readers, encouraging them to visit us at wccny.org to review the guide, take a short survey and let us know how to continue to improve it so we can most effectively support New Yorkers.
By working together, we can help address the needs of those living in our city by connecting people with programs and ensuring that we have a stronger, safer New York City filled with opportunity and promise.
Carole J. Wacey
Chief Executive Officer
Women’s City Club of New York