Nadler Announces Projects in Commerce, Justice and State Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), who represents parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, hailed the passage of the Commerce, Justice and State Departments Appropriations bill. The measure, adopted yesterday, includes $350,000 for the Coalition for the Homeless, $200,000 for the Doe Fund, and $250,000 for the John Jay Center for Study of Gang Violence. The spending bill must still be reconciled with the Senate before heading to the President for his signature.

"By providing for those in need, we provide for society at large," said Rep. Nadler. "These projects will help the homeless and the formerly incarcerated, and will help reduce gang-related violence. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues to secure these funds."

The Coalition for the Homeless works to prevent homelessness in New York, and the funds will be used for their Youth Services Program. Aimed toward at-risk youth, this program provides for immediate needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. The program also provides for long-term needs such as after-school programming, job training, summer camps, and mentoring. The grant will also help provide for emergency arrear grants to avoid evictions, temporary housing for those ineligible to enter shelters, grocery vouchers for families, transportation grants for travel to jobs, baby needs, and other steps to help get New Yorkers back on their feet.

"The Coalition provides critical services to over 3,500 New Yorkers everyday," said Rep. Nadler. "I am pleased that I can help them help others. Through the efforts of The Coalition and others, we can assist homeless men, women and children."

Support for the Doe Fund was secured with the assistance of Representatives Anthony Weiner (NY-09), Edolphus Towns (NY-10) and Carolyn Maloney (NY-14). The Doe Fund provides comprehensive services to formerly incarcerated and homeless individuals by addressing educational deficits, lack of career training, substance abuse, and social barriers associated with long-term incarceration. The Fund’s centerpiece project, Ready, Willing, & Able, remains the nation's most successful residential work program for those considered "hardest to serve."

"The efforts of the Doe Fund strengthen the community at large, and I am proud to support them," said Rep. Nadler. "Organizations like the Doe Fund provide comprehensive services to educate, train and provide substance abuse treatment to thousands of formerly homeless men and women."

Rep. Nadler was assisted by Rep. Patrick Kennedy (RI-01) in securing funds for the establishment of a center for the study of gang and group violence at the John Jay College's Center for Crime Prevention and Control. The new center will study gang and group violence through personnel training, infrastructure support, research, and case studies. Under the direction of Dr. David Kennedy, a scholar renowned for his work on gang violence, the center aims to provide New York City with strategies to dramatically reduce incidence of gang violence along with the culture underlying such activity. These studies will also serve to address issues of gun and drug trafficking.

"I am proud to support the efforts of John Jay College's new center for the study of gang and group violence," said Rep. Nadler. "Information and strategic thinking is key in combating crime, and through programs like this one, we can help make the streets of New York even safer."

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