At a June 25 press conference in Richmond Hill, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced that $2.87 million dollars would be utilized to fund a new RIVER FUND community center.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
At a June 25 press conference in Richmond Hill, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced that $2.87 million dollars would be utilized to fund a new RIVER FUND community center.
The new facility will expand RIVER FUND — a nonprofit organization founded in 1991 to serve low income New Yorkers and combat poverty — from the size of a private home to a three story, 7,000-square-foot property, allowing for enhanced services in terms of employment support, mentoring and other programs.
At a June 25 press conference in Richmond Hill, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced that $2.87 million dollars would be utilized to fund a new RIVER FUND community center.Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Richards believes that this expansion could not have come at a better time for New Yorkers: “We often talk about the affordability crisis, but we also know that there’s a food insecurity crisis at our doorsteps of this borough.”
“Organizations like this have never been more important,” he continued.
He noted recent Supreme Court decisions against immigration, violence towards New Yorkers of color and the high cost of living in New York City as reasons to further support RIVER FUND’s efforts.
Swami Durga Das, founder and CEO of RIVER FUND described the funding towards an expanded facility as “transformational.”
“It really is life changing for the community,” he said.
Borough President Donovan Richards, RIVER FUND CEO Swami Durga Das and Douglas WurtzPhoto by Ramy Mahmoud
The new RIVER FUND facility will be located adjacent to the current headquarters at 89-11 Lefferts Blvd. A projected completion date has not yet been announced.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
RIVER FUND operates a large food pantry, supporting and nourishing thousands of families each week. Services also include tutoring, job training, ELL classes, college scholarships and assistance to receive social services.
For more information, visit river.fund.