In the face of imminent federal cuts, as reported, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, State Sen. Luis R. Sepúlveda (S.D. 32) presented a check for $50,000 in funding to the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC), during a formal ceremony at NMIC’s University Heights-based Bronx office, in what the senator’s team said was a recognition of NMIC’s “invaluable community work and dedication to the progress and well-being of families in Upper Manhattan and The Bronx.”

 

They said the check will be used to fund programs that promote education, workforce training, affordable housing, and advocacy for residents’ rights, “underscoring a shared commitment to building safer, stronger, and more equitable communities.”

 

NMIC is located at 8 Clinton Place and is a nonprofit organization providing free services in key areas including housing, education and workforce development, benefits and finances, as well as immigration services.

 

Officials from the senator’s office said the check reflects a “firm commitment” by Sepúlveda to local organizations which he said play a key role in improving residents’ quality of life. They said the direct support by such organizations to the families and communities they serve fosters the development of opportunities, and strengthens collective well-being.

 

Sepúlveda said that NMIC, recognized for its work in areas such as housing development, education, and other services for low-income families, has become a fundamental pillar in ensuring opportunities and essential resources in historically underserved communities. Officials from the senator’s office said that each year, more than 14,000 people benefit from NMIC’s work, which they said transforms lives and strengthens communities.

“It is a privilege to collaborate with NMIC, an organization that, for more than four decades, has demonstrated a commitment to our community,” Sepúlveda said. “Its programs, carefully designed in key areas such as housing, education, and immigration, offer comprehensive support to those who need it most.”

 

Through his “Vision 32: Empowering the Bronx Initiative,” officials from the senator’s office said Sepúlveda is “driving a comprehensive effort to strengthen the district by promoting capital investment in infrastructure and schools, expanding programmatic support for social service providers, and ensuring that every constituent has access to strong, high-quality resources and responsive constituent services that uplift the entire community.”

 

The senator continued, “Thanks to the vision and commitment of Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation’s Executive Director, María Lizardo, the organization she leads has become an exceptional model, offering every person who walks through its doors support, guidance, and real opportunities to move forward.”

 

The senator went on to highlight the importance of providing ongoing support to organizations like NMIC, whose work he said was essential to strengthening society. He said entities like it not only expand its operational capacity and reach but also drive initiatives that generate a positive impact in various community areas, fostering solidarity and the general well-being of the population.

 

Reacting to the funding announcement, Lizardo said NMIC was grateful to Sepúlveda for this investment. “It strengthens the backbone of our work, from adult education to civil and immigrant defense, so that community members can maintain stability and move forward with dignity.” She added, “This support ensures we can continue to show up with the staff, the expertise, and the resolve our clients need in their hardest moments.”

Meanwhile, according to the senator’s team, Rodrigo Sánchez-Camus, NMIC legal director, noted that at a time when community needs are greater than ever, and continue to grow, the funding ensures Bronx residents have access to essential services. The senator’s team said Sánchez-Camus also emphasized that the funding enables NMIC to maintain a team of lawyers, educators, and advocates committed to providing comprehensive support to the community.

 

For more on the latest federal government shutdown and its impact on SNAP recipients, click here, here, here, and here.