Sunnyside Post: House Passes AOC’s Funding Requests for Several Community Projects

Sunnyside Post: House Passes AOC’s Funding Requests for Several Community Projects | August 2021: The U.S. House of Representatives has passed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 10 funding requests for community services — of which eight requests are for projects in Queens and two in the Bronx.

The House passed a bill late Thursday that includes an allocation for updating the obstetrical facilities at Elmhurst Hospital; additional funds to hire counselors at high schools; and more resources to expand several job training programs throughout her district. The Senate will vote on the bill this week.

The House bill included Ocasio-Cortez’s request for $3 million toward Elmhurst Hospital to renovate its obstetrical inpatient facilities. The money would fund the creation of private rooms for mothers giving birth and breastfeeding, which Elmhurst Hospital currently doesn’t have.

“It is imperative to provide equitable maternal care to the working class and immigrant communities surrounding Elmhurst hospital,” Ocasio-Cortez said.

She also requested $2 million, which was passed in the bill, for Chhaya Community Development Corporation, a Jackson Heights-based organization that provides housing assistance to residents primarily from the South Asian community. The money would help the nonprofit procure a bigger building for its headquarters and/or hire additional staff in order to serve more people.

The congresswoman requested $225,000 for Queens Community House, an organization that provides many services including offering alternative high schools for students who have either dropped out of school or fallen substantially behind in credits. The funds would be used by QCH to hire additional family support counselors to support students.

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