NYC Gazette

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and LiveOn NY hosted a "Brooklyn Advocacy Day" press conference to advocate for increased investment in resources and infrastructure for older adults. This event is part of LiveOn NY's Age Strong NYC campaign, which calls on Mayor Adams to allocate $2.3 billion towards nutrition, housing, and community services for the elderly.

"We owe so much to the older generations of New Yorkers," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. "These New Yorkers deserve to age with dignity, and to remain a part of the city they have given so much to."

Kevin Kiprovski, Director of Public Policy at LiveOn NY, emphasized the need for investment in older adult centers: "The infrastructure of older adult centers is the beating heart of the aging services system... Without investment some have become dilapidated or unusable."

Yulin Liu from Heights and Hills highlighted concerns from her clients who feel unsupported despite their lifelong contributions: "We must protect and invest more in our aging community."

Tony Lam, a member of AgeStrong NYC, stressed the importance of funding these programs: "Without proper funding, activities and programs will be cut... I'm urgently calling on City Hall to fully fund these essential services."

Councilmember Shanana Hanif addressed challenges faced by immigrant seniors: "Our immigrant older adults are experiencing the brunt of aging in NYC because New York City is not language-accessible."

Councilmember Crystal Hudson pointed out ongoing budgetary struggles: "We know that we have continuously been fighting against the Mayor’s budget cuts for the Department of Aging."

Evelyn Cruz, District Director for Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez, expressed gratitude towards LiveOn: "We stand with LiveOn in this fight to fund services for our seniors."

The event aligns with Borough President Reynoso's Comprehensive Plan for Brooklyn released in October 2023. The plan includes recommendations for increased digital access and literacy programs as well as enhanced mobility systems for older adults.

Borough President Reynoso has allocated significant funds through New York City's Department for the Aging (DFTA) over recent years. This includes $326k annually from 2023-2025 across various groups serving older adults in Brooklyn. Additionally, he has directed $6 million towards capital improvements at senior centers and supported affordable housing projects.

Brooklyn Advocacy Day forms part of LiveOn NY's AgeStrong NYC campaign launched this January aiming to secure $2.3 billion over 3-5 years.