In December 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Child Poverty Reduction Act into law, committing New York to cutting child poverty in half – with attention to racial equity – in the next 11 years. The law established an ambitious poverty reduction goal and holds the State accountable to reach that goal through the creation of the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council. The Council is charged with monitoring the State’s progress toward its child poverty reduction goal.
Beginning in Fall 2023, the Schuyler Center embarked, with key community partners, on a series of community conversation sessions held across New York State, serving as an opportunity to elevate community voices and experiences navigating poverty, and integrate those with the broader state-level policy conversation regarding child poverty reduction.
Meaningful, effective policy change will only be possible with insight and direction from community members who have experienced poverty – and the accompanying public systems – firsthand.
Rochester, NY: Community Town Hall
October 2023: The Schuyler Center partnered with The Children’s Agenda, the Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative, Ibero American Action League, and Spiritus Christi, to organize a community town hall on child poverty in Rochester. A diverse group of community members gathered to share their experiences living in and working to overcome poverty.
Schenectady County: Food and Poverty Speak Out
May 2024: the Schuyler Center partnered with the Alliance for a Hunger Free New York, the Rotterdam Community Center, and the Labor-Religion Coalition to hold the Schenectady Food and Poverty Speak Out. This was an opportunity for community members to share a meal together, hear each other’s stories, and shape a vision for a New York free from poverty and hunger.
St. Lawrence County: Community Listening Session
June 2024: the Schuyler Center partnered with the Labor-Religion Coalition, the Poor People’s Campaign, and the Massena Central School District to hold the St. Lawrence County Community Listening Sessions. This was an opportunity for community members to gather, share their stories and experiences about the unique challenges of navigating poverty and social services in rural communities.