Power of Cash Advocacy Day Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2025
Contact: New York State Cash Alliance | nys.cash.alliance@gmail.com
The New York State Cash Alliance Advocates for More Money in the Pockets
of New Yorkers During its First Annual Cash Advocacy Day
New York, NY - The New York State Cash Alliance is scheduled to host its first annual “Power of Cash Advocacy Day” on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Albany, New York. Members of the NYS Cash Alliance—a coalition of advocates working to advance guaranteed income (GI) and cash-related policy in the state of New York—will be joined by members of the legislature for a rally to highlight the power of cash to address the financial needs of New Yorkers. Assembly Members Andrew Hevesi, Linda B. Rosenthal, and Sarah Clark and Senators Roxanne Persaud and Cordell Cleare are slated to appear.
The rally comes at a time when rising costs continue to put undue strain on already vulnerable New Yorkers. In their most recent annual report, Robin Hood shared that the poverty rate in NYC increased from 23% in 2022 to 25% in 2023. 1 in every 4 New Yorkers is now struggling to afford the most basic, yet necessary goods, including food, transportation, and shelter.
The NYS Cash Alliance will call on legislators on March 11th to address this growing economic crisis by highlighting the efficacy of various unconditional cash assistance programs already active in the state and encouraging legislators to include several promising pieces of legislation in the FY2025-26 budget.
In the 2025 legislative session, members of the Assembly and Senate have the opportunity to pass several bills that would put cash into the hands of the New Yorkers who need it most. The “Power of Cash Advocacy Day” will allow organizers to draw necessary attention to the lived experience of New Yorkers struggling with poverty while calling on our elected representatives to act now.
"Win is proud to be convening the New York State Cash Alliance to advance guaranteed income and cash-related policies at the state level that will support vulnerable residents grappling with the worsening affordability crisis,” said Christine Quinn, President and CEO of Win. “As the largest provider of shelter and supportive housing for families with children in the nation, we have seen time and again how our social safety net fails the lowest-income New Yorkers. As the implementers of Growing Strong, a pilot program that provides unconditional cash payments to mothers with children under 2 in Win shelters, we believe that cash is a key solution to addressing the affordability crisis in New York. The bills included in the Cash Alliance's platform are crucial measures to slow the rising rate of family homelessness in our state. New Yorkers can’t afford to wait, we need action now."
“Cash policy is about freedom. In our work with YouthNPower: Transforming Care, young people in our pilot project who recently left foster care have used cash payments to cover the essentials—housing, food, and transportation,” said José Pérez, Program Strategist at Children’s Defense Fund-New York. “They also shared the money with their children, family and friends. It’s time to stop underestimating young people and start trusting them with the resources they need to create their own futures. We support the NYS Cash Alliance platform because we know that our young people, parents, workers, people coming home from prison, and our neighbors relying on the safety net deserve better. This year’s Power of Cash Advocacy Day is an opportunity to raise our voices in Albany to make this a reality.”
“New York has the power to raise cash assistance benefit levels, invest in guaranteed income and expand tax credits so that families can meet basic needs and spend more time with their children,” said Nora McCarthy, NYC Family Policy Project. “Currently, cash assistance in New York provides too little cash to live on and is unpredictable, burdensome and stigmatizing, leaving families vulnerable. We must do better by families – and we can!”
“Individuals returning from incarceration need a real opportunity at a dignified reentry and NYS will only benefit. Investing in returning citizens means investing in our communities, our economy, and most importantly our future.” Barbara Bierd, Center for Employment Opportunities
Please visit the NYS State Cash Alliance website for more information on how to register for the “Power of Cash Advocacy Day.” Additional event details can be found below.
Rally Date & Time: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 2:15pm
Location: The Million Dollar Staircase
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About NYS Cash Alliance
The New York State Cash Alliance is a collaborative space to advance guaranteed income (GI) and cash-related advocacy in New York. Formed in 2024, we are a growing coalition of community organizers, activists, artists, cash beneficiaries, and advocates who understand the power of cash to address economic inequities and are pushing forward legislation that would create a guaranteed income program in New York.
