{"id":117864,"date":"2026-01-30T22:53:27","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T22:53:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/117864\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T22:53:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T22:53:27","slug":"bronxworks-announces-renovation-plans-and-community-priorities-at-annual-legislative-breakfast-bronx-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/117864\/","title":{"rendered":"BronxWorks announces renovation plans and community priorities at annual Legislative Breakfast \u2013 Bronx Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

BronxWorks, one of the borough\u2019s largest nonprofits, held its second annual Legislative Breakfast on Jan. 30 and outlined plans for renovations of the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center under a new $7.5 million investment from elected officials.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The planned work will improve accessibility at the historic building\u2019s front entrance, upgrade heating and cooling systems, add an elevator, reconstruct the lobby, renovate the second-floor restrooms and more.<\/p>\n

BronxWorks executives and staff hosted the gathering in the gymnasium of 1130 Grand Concourse, a landmarked building dating back to the 1920s.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Borough President Vanessa Gibson presented a check towards the renovations that included $1 million from her office, $2.5 million from the State Assembly and $4 million from City Council.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gibson said she was proud to invest in BronxWorks, which she called a \u201ctrusted partner\u201d that serves nearly every Bronx zip code.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Between its childcare centers, food pantries, senior services and more, the organization has been \u201cshowing up for people in the good times and the not-so-good times\u201d over decades, Gibson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She also applauded the joint investment from borough, city, state and federal elected officials. \u201cThe nonprofit sector works best when we are aligned together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Assembly Member Landon Dais (left) and State Senator Luis Sep\u00falveda (right) talk shop at the BronxWorks Legislative Breakfast on Jan. 30, 2026. Photo by Emily Swanson<\/p>\n

Council Member Althea Stevens called BronxWorks \u201ca lifeline\u201d for local residents and presented a check on behalf of City Council.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we invest in our community infrastructure, we are investing in our community across generations,\u201d Stevens said.\n<\/p>\n

Assembly Member Landon Dais, who presented the $2.5 million Assembly investment, said his son took swim lessons at the community center and that the organization plays a critical role in preventing child drownings.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At the same time, he also praised BronxWorks\u2019 senior centers, which offer learning sessions about topics such as avoiding scams, along with meaningful social connections.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to make sure our seniors, just like our kids, have enriching programming that gets them moving, that gets them to be part of the cultural experience,\u201d Dais said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

U.S. Representative George Latimer, who represents parts of the north central and northeast Bronx, said the Trump administration has created a \u201chostile environment\u201d for many Bronxites.<\/p>\n

The current administration \u201cdoes not want to fund the needs of poor people, does not want to fund the needs of people of color, does not want to understand the problems and has exacerbated the problems with ICE and made it a more hostile situation,\u201d Latimer said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Until the administration changes, local government will continue working collaboratively to meet those needs, he said.\u00a0
\n\"\"The BronxWorks Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center, housed within a 100-year-old landmarked building at 1130 Grand Concourse. Photo by Emily Swanson\n<\/p>\n

During the event, CEO Eileen Torres outlined the organization\u2019s priorities for the year ahead, which address ongoing challenges familiar to anyone in the Bronx: poverty among people of all ages, older adults facing financial crisis, food insecurity and unaffordable childcare.<\/p>\n

Torres said she sees the direct impact of the organization\u2019s work, especially in light of the federal government\u2019s efforts to claw back funding for social safety net programs, such as SNAP<\/a> and Head Start.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For example, BronxWorks\u2019 10 food pantries and two seasonal farmstands became even more relied upon, Torres said. \u201cI personally received countless phone calls from individuals in dire need of emergency assistance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The nonprofit has 65 locations throughout the borough providing childcare, older adult services, legal services, housing support, food pantries and meals, employment services and more. But while its flagship 1130 Grand Concourse location is overdue for renovations, modernizing a 100-year-old building presents many challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Juan C. Matiz, principal at Matiz Architecture & Design, spoke about some obstacles, including the fact that the building sits high atop a solid bed of rock with \u201cJenga-like\u201d staircases leading to the front door.<\/p>\n

He also pointed out that while the gymnasium that held the event boasted six new basketball hoops and a new scoreboard, its heating vent was barely more than a jagged hole in the wall.<\/p>\n

\"\"An outdated vent at the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center gymnasium. Photo by Emily Swanson<\/p>\n

Proposed construction plans<\/a> are currently under review<\/a> by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), which must approve major changes to historic buildings. Documents show that HVAC work has already been approved but other parts of the application remain pending.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Though the possibility of cuts to federal funding looms, tax forms show that BronxWorks contributions have increased over recent years.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

The organization brought in nearly $122 million in contributions according to 2024 tax documents<\/a>, up from $111 million in 2023 and $101 million in 2022. CEO Torres said that $13.5 million total has been raised towards the renovation project.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gibson said she believes that the longstanding nonprofit and the borough itself will thrive under the Mayor Zohran Mamdani administration.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will not only get more attention, we will get more resources,\u201d she said. \u201cWe will not stop till we get what we deserve.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Reach Emily Swanson at\u00a0eswanson@schnepsmedia.com<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0(646) 717-0015<\/a>. For more coverage, subscribe to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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