Over 200 advocates from across New York State gathered outside the State Capitol building this week for a rally to end child poverty. Spearheaded by the New York Can End Child Poverty campaign, the group included parents, legislators,advocates, educators, pediatricians, nurses, childcare providers, economists, youth leaders, labor unions, faith leaders, and more. The coalition has been leading the way in ensuring that the state follows through on its legislatively mandated goal of reducing child poverty by 50% by 2032.

The Legal Aid Society was represented by a team from the government benefits practice and Adriene Holder, Chief Attorney for the Civil Practice, who shared remarks.

The campaign is supporting Governor Hochul and state leaders in making meaningful and
immediate budget investments in policies proven to reduce child poverty. Those policies
include increasing the cash assistance grant by 100 percent, providing New Yorkers a robust housing assistance program, increasing the child tax credit and making it more accessible, and protecting immigrant families, who are especially vulnerable right now.

“New Yorkers – especially low-income New Yorkers – must remain strong in the face of challenges ahead,” said Holder. “Now is the perfect time for the Governor to heed our call for meaningful change. New York State cannot afford the shameful reality that so many of its children grow up in poverty.”

“Increasing Cash Assistance to meet basic needs, adopting a State Section 8 program to keep rents affordable, increasing child tax credits to reach more families, and providing food benefits for immigrant households excluded from SNAP will reduce child poverty in New York State
dramatically,” she continued. “Enhanced economic stability is more than a safety net, it’s a springboard to stronger communities that can withstand challenges, whether caused by the economy, natural disasters, or unexpected hardships. We look forward to seeing these changes become law.”