BRONX, NY – On Thursday, November 20, Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY) hosted an event celebrating the grand opening of its new Economic Empowerment Center in the Bronx. VOA-GNY was joined by Council Member-Elect Justin Sanchez and leaders in homeless services to discuss the role of wealth-building services to break the cycle of housing instability. The event included guided tours of the center and demonstrations of its virtual reality job-exploration tools. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson also attended, touring the EEC and meeting with staff.
The Economic Empowerment Center (EEC) in the Bronx anchors the organization’s expanding array of wealth-building services. For people experiencing housing instability, wealth is a crucial component of resilience. It helps buffer income disruptions and can be passed down to the next generation, playing a crucial role in breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty and homelessness.
VOA-GNY’s wealth-building support services help clients secure steady income, make informed financial decisions, and work toward long-term asset development, recognizing that the absence of a financial safety net is a primary factor contributing to housing instability.
“Financial empowerment is one of the most powerful tools that we have to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and homelessness in the long term,” said Jeffrey Ginsburg, President and CEO of VOA-GNY. “We’re proud to bring our wealth-building services to more New Yorkers through our new Economic Empowerment Center in the Bronx, especially at a time when affordability is at top of mind and these services are more necessary than ever before.”
The center also houses Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and provides transitional and short-term housing stabilization services for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
“Giving individuals and families experiencing housing instability the tools they need to find and maintain employment and manage their finances can make all the difference in their long-term outcomes,” said Anddy Perdomo, AVP of Veteran Services and Economic Empowerment Initiatives at VOA-GNY. “The EEC is an exciting next step in expanding our wealth building services and helping our clients get on the road to financial stability.”
The Economic Empowerment Center builds upon VOA-GNY’s existing offerings in wealth building and workforce development. These programs include YouthBuild, which connects low-income youth with employment and internship opportunities to help them gain the work experience needed to jump-start their careers, and Career Access, which provides adults with disabilities with personalized job training and career coaching.
Panelists speaking about VOA-GNY’s various wealth-building services included: Rosa Cabrera, Sector Director of Rapid Rehousing & Economic Empowerment Initiatives; Anisee Alves-Willis, Program Director of YouthBuild; Carmen Charlton, Program Director of Career Access Program; Kenya Jaquez, Program Director of Supportive Services for Veteran Families; and moderated by Anddy Perdomo, AVP of Veteran Services and Economic Empowerment Initiatives.
About Volunteers of America-Greater New York
Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY) is an anti-poverty organization with a rich 129-year history of serving its neighbors in need. The organization’s vision is fueled by its experience as a leading provider of services to families and individuals experiencing homelessness in the Greater New York area. Through 70+ programs located in New York City, Northern New Jersey, and Westchester County—including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing—VOA-GNY delivers services to more than 35,000 adults and children annually. It is also the largest provider of residential services for veterans within a coalition that has virtually ended chronic homelessness for veterans in New York City. For more information, visit www.voa-gny.org.