Chinese-American Planning Council rallies for seventh city ‘Advocacy Day’

The Chinese-American Planning Council Advocates for Funding to Address Community Needs

The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), the largest Asian American social services organization in the nation, held its 7th Annual City Advocacy Day rally in Manhattan’s Foley Square. The purpose of the rally was to advocate for increased funding for programming that addresses the needs of Asian Americans, immigrants, and low-income New Yorkers.

City Advocacy Day Priorities

• Restoration of early childhood education, adult literacy, and mental health programs
• Expansion of summer youth employment programs and CityFHEPS eligibility
• Increased funding to the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Community Support Initiative and language access services
• $10 million investment in emergency legal services for immigrants
• $20 million for undocumented childcare funding

Council members Carmen De La Rosa, Rita Joseph, Lincoln Restler, Susan Zhuang, and nonprofit leaders such as Michelle Jackson, executive director of the Human Services Council, joined the rally to highlight the CPC’s priorities for city spending. The CPC emphasized the importance of equitable access and support for all members of diverse communities.

“Despite being 18% of New York’s population and the city’s fastest-growing group, the AAPI community remains underfunded, while our challenges multiply. Insufficient resources have led to long waitlists, rising costs, and inadequate support for critical services,” said Wayne Ho, president and CEO of the CPC. “We stand united with our allies and elected partners to advocate for the restoration and enhancement of funding to essential community programs, such as senior services, child care support, and literacy programs, to ensure equitable access and support for all members of our diverse communities.”

Potential Budget Cuts

The current administration under Mayor Eric Adams plans to make cuts to city parks, libraries, and city services, including emergency food programs. City Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized Mayor Adams for imposing multiple rounds of budget cuts during his tenure, which have defunded various essential services. However, with the support of organizations like CPC, the city council is fighting back against these cuts.

Impactful Stories

During the rally, community members shared their personal stories of how CPC’s services have positively impacted their lives. One student from CPC’s adult literacy classes, Liu (Luke) Xing, shared his experience of coming to New York City unable to speak English and working long hours for little pay. However, after attending CPC’s free English classes, he was able to improve his language skills and pursue a career as a sushi chef. Xing expressed his gratitude towards CPC for changing the quality of his life.

About the Chinese-American Planning Council

The Chinese-American Planning Council operates 35 sites in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. They recently opened CPC One, an affordable housing and community center on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Annually, CPC serves over 80,000 New Yorkers through more than 50 programs, including adult literacy classes and early childhood education programs.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses the need for funding for programming that addresses the needs of low-income New Yorkers.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The article mentions the restoration of early childhood education and adult literacy programs as priorities for city spending.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article highlights the importance of expanding summer youth employment programs.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article emphasizes the underfunding of the Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community and advocates for equitable access and support for all members of diverse communities.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The article calls for investing in emergency legal services for immigrants.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable (SDG 1).
• Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes (SDG 4).
• Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training (SDG 8).
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status (SDG 10).
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all (SDG 16).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims, and the poor and vulnerable (SDG 1).
• Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex (SDG 4).
• Indicator 8.6.1: Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment, or training (SDG 8).
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities (SDG 10).
• Indicator 16.3.3: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms (SDG 16).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Fuente: nynmedia.com

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