STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. —Catholic Charities of Staten Island has received $2.5 million in federal funding to modernize its Port Richmond community center as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations legislation.
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand championed the initiative, with Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer playing a significant role in negotiating the funding bill.
The century-old facility at 120 Anderson Ave., commonly known as the “CYO Center,” originally served as a Masonic Temple before becoming a community hub in the mid-20th century. The building has been a cornerstone of the North Shore neighborhood, serving Staten Island residents for generations.
“Catholic Charities of Staten Island’s Port Richmond community center provides a lifeline to seniors, children and families from across the borough with services for people of all ages and needs,” said Gillibrand in a statement to the media. Gillibrand is a ranking member of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Special Committee on Aging.
The funds will address infrastructure challenges stemming from the building’s age. Catholic Charities of Staten Island has operated the center as its sole tenant since 2016, following a strategic merger. The grant will finance capital improvements the nonprofit could not otherwise afford, including safety and security enhancements, accessibility upgrades, and modernization of critical infrastructure.
Claire Atalla, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities of Staten Island, emphasized the funding’s impact on the community.
“This funding is a transformative investment in the health and safety of our community,” Atalla said. “We are profoundly grateful to Senator Gillibrand for recognizing the critical role this center plays. These funds will allow us to preserve a venerable local icon while ensuring it remains a safe, modern, and accessible space for the thousands of neighbors who rely on us every day.”
The Anderson Avenue center provides services primarily to low-to-moderate-income residents. Programming includes senior services through an NYC Department for the Aging Older Adult Center, which offers community connections, nutrition, health management, social services, and recreational activities. The facility also houses multiple food security programs, including a food pantry, a food hub that supports other community pantries, a delivery program for homebound residents, and headquarters for a mobile food pantry that serves rotating sites across Staten Island. Crisis support services, including case assistance, eviction prevention, and utility stabilization, are also available.
“This building is so much more than just bricks and mortar; it is a foundation of mission fulfillment,” Atalla said. “With a modernized commercial kitchen and a safe, climate-controlled environment, we can continue to foster a healthier, more engaged Staten Island for the next generation.”
Gillibrand added that she would continue advocating for federal resources to increase access to healthy foods and support New Yorkers of all ages.
Catholic Charities of Staten Island is part of the Archdiocese of New York’s Catholic Charities Alliance. The organization provides social services to vulnerable populations across the borough, including toddler daycare, universal pre-K, programs for people with intellectual developmental disabilities, family crisis assistance, and senior support services.