NYC Gazette

Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today with Assemblymember Donna Lupardo at the United Way of Broome County. They visited the 2-1-1 Susquehanna River Region Community Resource Center, a service that provides vital resource and referral information to communities across Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, and Tioga counties. During the visit, they announced $1 million in funding for United Way of Broome County to expand the call center facility and make other building improvements.

“The 2-1-1 service is vital to millions of New Yorkers looking to stay informed and connected,” said Speaker Heastie. “Assemblymember Lupardo has fought hard to ensure that this service is maintained across the state so communities can access the services available to them. She also passed legislation that added the statewide Director of 2-1-1 to the state’s Disaster Preparedness Commission.”

“I’d like to thank Speaker Heastie for visiting the United Way today,” said Assemblymember Lupardo. “The 2-1-1 service they run is an essential clearinghouse offering referrals to individuals and families in need. They also provide vital information during large-scale community responses to COVID, floods, and other weather-related events. This expansion will make their jobs a little easier; allowing them to respond to the many needs in our region.”

Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Lupardo met with staff at the 2-1-1 Susquehanna River Region Community Resource Center to discuss the center’s ongoing needs. Since 1999, the 2-1-1 hotline has helped millions of New Yorkers connect with essential services at no cost and at any time, any day.

The Susquehanna River Region Call Center is currently operating at capacity, with limited opportunities to provide in-person counseling to families in need. The Speaker and Assemblymember Lupardo announced that United Way of Broome County will be receiving a $1 million Assembly grant to expand the 2-1-1 call center, providing additional office space for private in-person counseling services and making general improvements to the building.