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Advocacy Archives
November 13, 2007 -- Advocacy FY07 - Annual Report
The Advocacy Department has accomplished the following goals in FY07: 1. Performed lobbying work in Albany, New York two (2) times, and Washington, DC three (3) times
a. The two (2) trips to Albany involved lobbying with the New York State Campaign for Mental Health Housing to advocate for an increase in the number of supportive housing beds available to people with mental health needs, and lobbying with the Community Service Society of New York’s Reentry Roundtable to address the needs and issues faced by the formerly incarcerated as they re-enter society.
b. The three (3) trips to Washington involved lobbying to the New York Congressional delegation regarding an appropriations bill to provide earmarked funds for our Crisis Center and Regional Training Center. 2. Met and/or had contact with nineteen (19) New York elected officials at the city, state, and federal levels
a. At the city level we met with Council Members Leroy G. Comrie, Jr. (Queens), Diana Reyna (Brooklyn), Michael E. McMahon (Staten Island), Darlene Mealy (Brooklyn), Lewis A. Fidler (Brooklyn), and David I. Weprin (Queens). We also met with Brooklyn Deputy Borough President Yvonne J. Graham.
b. At the state level we met with Assemblyman Matthew Titone of Staten Island, and State Senator Shirley L. Huntley of Queens.
c. At the federal level we met with the offices of Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, as well as Representatives Jerrold Nadler (Manhattan), Edolphus Towns (Brooklyn), Jose Serrano (Bronx), Gregory Meeks (Queens), and Vito Fossella (Staten Island).
d. Representatives from the Brooklyn offices of City Council Members Diana Reyna and Al Vann, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, and Representative Yvette D. Clark attended our Regional Training Center’s Ceremonial Open House. 3. Collaborated and partnered in various advocacy efforts with several external organizations and associations including the Community Service Society of New York, Homeless Services United Inc, New York City Association of Homeless and Street Involved Youth Organizations, Empire State Coalition of Youth and Family Services, New York Immigration Coalition, New York State Youth Leadership Council, and the New York State Campaign for Mental Health Housing
a. Advocacy issues included disconnected youth, formerly incarcerated individuals, a count of homeless youth in New York City, the DREAM Act, and supportive housing for mentally ill clients. 4. Attended five (5) conferences dealing with issues that affect the youth we are working with
a. Human Trafficking Conference at Covenant House International
b. Mental Illness and the Courts Conference at St. Francis College
c. Race, Culture, Class and Crisis in Child Welfare Symposium at St. John’s University
d. Governing Change: Policy, Politics, and the Spitzer Administration Forum at The New School for Management and Urban Policy
e. New Homes, Brighter Futures: Supportive Housing for Young Adults Conference at the Corporation for Supportive Housing 5. Was present at six (6) oversight hearings held by the City Council regarding issues that affect our youth
a. Discharge Planning, Post-Release Programs
b. Follow up hearing on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: An Immigration Remedy for Abused, Neglected, and Abandoned Children
c. Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter Regulations: Identifying Regulatory Impediments To Youth Accessing Services
d. New York City's Interests in the Comprehensive Federal Immigration Debate
e. New York's Sexually Exploited Youth
f. The Administration for Children's Services' Efforts to Prepare Youth Aging out of Foster Care for Independent Living 6. Hosted two (2) speaker discussions on the topics of Immigration and Youth, and Re-entry and Youth 7. Published and distributed a Summer Advocacy Newsletter relating Covenant House New York advocacy initiatives and actions to the public and elected officials 8. Participated in monthly meetings in each borough of our respective Community Boards, Youth Councils, and Precinct Community Councils
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