Today, May 29, Urban Upbound announced the grand opening of its new service center located within the Hammel Houses, marking a major expansion of its foot­print on the Rockaway Peninsula and strengthening access to critical economic mo­bility services for NYCHA residents and the surrounding communities.

Today, May 29, Urban Upbound announced the grand opening of its new service center located within the Hammel Houses, marking a major expansion of its foot­print on the Rockaway Peninsula and strengthening access to critical economic mo­bility services for NYCHA residents and the surrounding communities.

Today, May 29, Urban Upbound an­nounced the grand opening of its new service center located within the Hammel Houses, marking a major expansion of its footprint on the Rockaway Peninsula and strengthening access to critical economic mobility services for NYCHA residents and the surrounding communities.

The new office and service center will pro­vide residents with direct, neighborhood-based access to Urban Upbound’s comprehensive suite of programs, including workforce development, financial counseling, tax preparation and filing, small business sup­port, and mental health counseling.

During this ceremony, Urban Upbound was joined by several prominent community and NYCHA leaders, including NYCHA’s Chief Operating Officer, Eva Trimble, Assem­bly Member Khaleel Anderson, Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Joseph Edwards, representing Congressman Gregory Meeks, Lisa Johnson, President of the Ham­mel Houses Resident Association, and Rev­erend Evan Gray, Sr. of the Macedonia Baptist Church of Arverne.

“This expansion represents a continued in­vestment in the people and communities of the Rockaways,” said Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor, CEO & Co-Founder of Urban Up­bound. “By bringing services directly into the Hammel Houses, we are removing barriers to accessing the tools residents need to build long-term economic stability and escape cy­cles of poverty.”

“The new Urban Upbound service center guarantees NYCHA residents at Hammel Houses have direct access to the resources and opportunities they deserve, in their commu­nity and close to home,” said NYCHA Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble. “By bringing a variety of resources––workforce develop­ment, financial counseling, tax preparation, mental health services, and small business support––directly to residents, the new service center will help create pathways to long-term economic stability and mobility for NYCHA residents and families in the Rockaways. We are deeply grateful to our partners at Urban Upbound for their continued commitment to NYCHA residents and their dedication to en­suring the Hammel Houses community has access to the tools they need to thrive.”