Latest news with #ActionforaBetterCommunity
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rochester agency supported by federal funding discusses concerns on Trump's spending plan
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – A number of federally supported programs aimed at helping families in need are at risk under President Trump's proposed budget. This includes expected cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. However, there's also uncertainty surrounding Head Start programs, which offer education and child care for low-income families. Just over one week ago, House Republicans passed President Trump's federal spending plan, which includes sweeping cuts to various supports for low-income families across the U.S. That previously included Head Start, which is an early childhood program for families in need. The program no longer appears to be eliminated, as the President once called for.'It is one of the preeminent early childhood education systems in this country. Yes, it is targeted for people experiencing low incomes. No matter where you are in the country, those families look different,' said Jerome Underwood, who serves as president and CEO for Action for a Better Community. Action for a Better Community runs Head Start in the Greater Rochester area. The local program services nearly 800 children and employs 200 people. Mayor Malik Evans holds ROC Resilience Roundtable, discusses federal issues Head Start is entirely reliant on federal funding. Locally, that consists of nearly $19 million, which is then spent back in Rochester and Monroe County. 'Rochester's poverty data is daunting. There are many, many people here living on economic margins. To further exacerbate that by reducing in some cases, or eliminating in other cases, some of these federal programs, which will have a trickle-down effect to the states. It will have a devastating impact, not just on the people we serve,' said Underwood. In the last month, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has voiced her concerns to protect the program, as Head Start centers have already closed nationwide. Underwood says his focus lies on a variety of other resources his agency is responsible for, adding it's a matter of keeping an eye on what's in the federal budget and what's out. 'We're talking about people's lives and livelihood. We're talking about the people who work here and work at our partner agencies,' said Underwood, 'The environment right now is filled with uncertainty and that's a very difficult environment to run a business and run an agency.' The federal spending plan is now before the U.S. Senate for review. Republican leaders have expressed intent to move it forward, with a goal of delivering it back to the President's desk for signature by July 4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coming to Irondequoit: NYC Crepes & Shakes
IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. (WROC) — A new dessert & more cafe is coming to Irondequoit: NYC Crepes & Shakes. It's at 738 E. Ridge Road, and will be open starting June 1. After that, it will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. 'People can come and enjoy (at) this quiet and peaceful environment,' said first-time business owner Omid Sadat. Here, Sadat serves a wide variety of freshly brewed tea, juice, and dessert options: everything from shakes to a loaded crepe with fruit and ice cream, to a flavorful chai, and a Tres Leches cake with your choice of toppings. There will even be some breakfast options. Fresh and organic ingredients are an important part of their food. Even though Sadat is a first-time business owner in the US, you may have seen him out in the community. He worked for the us government in Afghanistan, and was brought back to the us in 2021 through Keeping our Promise. Since then, he has worked with multiple community organizations, including Action for a Better Community, even working as a teacher for refugees in our area. With this place, beyond serving tasty treats, he wanted to open to give back with NYC Crepes & Shakes. 'It's America,' he said. 'So we are going to be serving the best as we can for the people.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local Head Start leaders discuss alternative funding options amid federal freeze concerns
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Last week's proposed federal funding freeze has left a lasting impact on many organizations across the country, including one that oversees Head Start programs in Monroe County. Action for a Better Community (ABC) is one of the only organizations of its kind to have full responsibility over the daily functions of both Head Start and Early Head Start in the Rochester region. They, along with many other Head Start programs across the nation, experienced a lockout from their federal funding access portal last Tuesday. Once a federal judge in Washington, D.C. issued a temporary ban on the freeze, citing pending lawsuits that challenge its legality, some programs including ABC had their portal restored. Many, including some in New York State, did not. Senator Chuck Schumer said with this ongoing issue, the concerns of how this may impact low-income families who depend on Head Start for childcare continue to grow. 'If Head Start closes, what will the parents do?' Schumer said. 'Who's going to watch the kids? The majority of our families are either single-parent families or families in which both parents are working.' Schumer is now calling for answers from federal leaders. 'Our families need answers on what caused this disruption, why the portal shut down, why the money is still not flowing and how people can find out what is going on,' Schumer said. With the funding concern looming, CEO and President of ABC Jerome H. Underwood is now working with his leadership team to discuss alternate funding options. He says this aids in being prepared during a time of uncertainty. 'For ABC to continue growing we are certainly obligated to seek a more diversified funding stream,' Underwood said. 'We provide much needed services in this community, and I'm glad we're able to do so. However, we want to be able to continue doing that until there is no more need for that service.' As of right now, ABC has access to its federal funding portal, and Head Start operations in Monroe County are as usual. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
