In 2023, Brownsville had one of the highest rates of ACS cases in New York City. About 1 in 7 families had an ACS case, compared to the city average of 1 in 20.
If the proposed state Child and Family Wellbeing Fund were to pass, it would deliver $30 million to 10 communities statewide with the highest child welfare impacts, like Brownsville.
In November, United for Brownsville (UB) hosted “Investing in Brownsville: Community Investment to Address Family Policing” at the Gregory Jackson Center to bring together community members to consider how an investment like the Wellbeing Fund could support families and reduce ACS cases.
Led by Ruth Horry and Georgina Gooden, longtime members of the UB Family Advisory Board, Brownsville community leaders, advocates and residents reflected:
* If Brownsville had access to $5,000, $25,000, or even $100,000 grants for family support, what should those dollars go toward?
* What strengths in Brownsville should be built up? Where are the gaps, and how could this Fund fill them?
* What resources do you need to help your family thrive?
Here’s what they had to say…
“For me, [the Wellbeing Fund] is about keeping Brownsville Black. It’s about how this fund can support these residents, learn, establish, and then maintain ownership of their neighborhood.”
– Coach D, Get Fit Fly Right
“I think Brownsville is one of those communities that needs generational healing. If I was dreaming aloud, we could have a children’s garden where children can actually garden, yoga in the park or a walking group. All of these have health and healing benefits…they acknowledge pain and would relieve stress.”
– Naimah Harris, UB Family Advisory Board Member
Yomika Bennett and Jeannette Bocanegra, members of The Child and FamilyWellbeing Working Group, provided an overview of the Well-Being Fund—its purpose, structure, and vision.
Coach D. from Get Fit Fly Right led a meditative exercise to ensure the group was prepared for this heavy conversation, inviting everybody to ground in the present moment and the collective care in the room.
The Fund would direct $30 million in state dollars to 10 communities with the highest rates of CPS contact and disproportionate impact on families of color. Where the money goes in the neighborhood is decided by residents themselves.
Jeannette underscored why investing directly in community groups matters: local organizations already know the issues, the needs, and the solutions.
Questions about the Wellbeing Fund? Read the FAQ here
The Fund would direct $30 million in state dollars to communities with the highest rates of CPS contact and disproportionate impact on familiesof color. It is a five-year pilot, serving 10 communities statewide.