Governor Kathy Hochul has made a move to seriously boost New York's community resources with a hefty $100 million in grants for various projects across the state. These funds are being distributed through the NY BRICKS program and will touch 30 different community center projects, aiming to promote overall health and connection within communities. "Today, we're delivering on our commitment to build stronger, healthier communities in every corner of New York State," Hochul said in a statement obtained by the Governor's Office. The grants are designed to help build and renovate spaces for children to play, families to gather, and seniors to stay active.
The 30 lucky projects are spread across 22 counties, demonstrating the program's reach. An impressive 90% of the funding is earmarked for projects in underserved communities with hopes to significantly impact community access to childcare, eldercare, and mental health counseling. The funds, which range from $260,000 to $15 million, were doled out based on specific criteria like need and community impact, prioritizing equitable distribution to those who could benefit the most.
This isn't just a financial handout either; each organization required to come up with a 20 percent match of their own to secure the grants. Dormitory Authority of the State of New York President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez highlighted the awards' significance, noting the transformative potential of new and renovated community centers as they provide safe and welcoming spaces for New Yorkers of all ages. "DASNY is honored to work with the OPRHP to administer this transformative program and grateful to Governor Hochul for her vision in creating opportunities for healthier, more vibrant communities across our state," Rodriguez said according to the Governor's Office.
The community benefits are poised to be widespread with programs like BronxWorks poised to get $5 million for their 1130 Grand Concourse location, and the Village of Hempstead set to receive a whopping $15 million for a brand new center. But it doesn't stop there—Hochul's Unplug and Play initiative aims to encourage families to put down their devices and dive into the real world with additional funding including $67.5 million for the NY PLAYS initiative and a staggering $150 million for the NY SWIMS initiative announced earlier. The long-term vision is clear: physical and mental well-being through communal spaces and accessible recreational activities.
The full list of NY BRICKS grant recipients is available at dasny.org/BRICKS. These initiatives show how the funds are intended to support community improvements in New York, potentially benefiting nearly half a million residents.
