CPC STATEMENT ON THE CLOSURE OF NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND NON-ESSENTIAL SOCIAL SERVICES

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Date: March 15th, 2020

Press Contacts: Carlyn Cowen, Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer (ccowen@cpc-nyc.org | 919-637-6866)

New York, NY-- The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) applauds Mayor de Blasio for taking action to close schools and non-essential social services in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 in New York City. We recognize that this represents a significant disruption to New Yorkers, and we stand ready to partner with the City to help our community members during these challenging times.

Asian Americans, people of color, immigrants, and low-income New Yorkers are the hardest hit during public health crises and economic disruptions, and it is critical that we mobilize to protect them.  We need to ensure that students and families who are homeless, lack internet access, are food insecure, or are Limited English Proficient (LEP) are prioritized. We need to ensure that working parents are able to make accommodations, and that social services agencies have the resources needed to continue to provide critical services to community members in adaptive ways.  We need to recognize the strain that staying at home and economic insecurity will have on people, and plan for supportive services. 

We urge the City to take up policies for emergency relief for workers, families, small businesses, tenants, and everyone who is and will continue to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.  We will also continue advocating for these policies at State and and Federal level, and will continue to be in service of our community members and all New Yorkers. 

About CPC
The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) is the nation's largest Asian American social services organization. Founded in 1965, CPC aims to promote the social and economic empowerment of Chinese American, immigrant, and low-income communities of New York City.

華人策劃協會(華策會)是全美國最大的亞裔美國人及太平洋島民社區服務機構.成立於1965年,華策會專門為紐約市的華裔美國人,移民,和低收入民眾提供金融權力和社區服務.