STATEN ISLAND, NY — A Staten Island senior center that has repeatedly closed due to flooding will receive $1 million in state funding for infrastructure improvements designed to prevent future water damage.
Assemblyman Charles D. Fall announced the investment for the Cassidy-Lafayette Senior Center, a NYCHA-operated facility that serves older adults. The money will pay for resiliency and drainage improvements to address chronic flooding that has disrupted meals, activities, and essential services.
“Flooding has disrupted programs and created hardship for older adults who come here for support and community,” Fall said. “This investment fixes a real problem and ensures our seniors have a space they can count on.”
The flooding issues have forced the center to cancel programs multiple times, affecting seniors who depend on the space for social connection and stability, according to Albana Telic, president and CEO of the Center for Advocacy, Support & Counseling, which operates programs at the facility.
“This investment will allow us to focus on serving older adults without the constant fear of closures or interruptions,” Telic said.
NYCHA Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble said the upgrades will help maintain the center as a dependable resource for residents who rely on it for vital social services.
Dorothy Fenner, president of the Cassidy-Lafayette Resident Association, said the improvements are critical for seniors who already face numerous challenges.
“Having a safe, reliable center means everything to our residents, and we truly appreciate Assemblymember Fall for stepping up and making this a priority,” Fenner said.