April 2026

CPC Warns Federal Cuts Driving New Yorkers to Food Banks at Pandemic-Level on Times Union

On April 9th, the Times Union published an op-ed written by CPC President and CEO Wayne Ho and Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson warning that federal cuts to nutrition programs are driving more New Yorkers to food banks than at any time since the pandemic's peak. With families lining up before dawn at food pantries and parents skipping meals so their children can eat, they urged state leaders to adopt the Protect, Invest, Expand (PIE) Food Security Package as final budget negotiations wrap up. Their key priorities include transitioning EBT cards to secure chip technology to combat SNAP benefit theft, raising the minimum SNAP benefit from $23 to $100 per month, supporting programs that help keep food flowing to communities across New York, and protecting food assistance for refugees, asylees, and immigrant families.

CPC Hosts Special Needs Talent Show in Flushing

On April 10th, CPC organized a Special Needs Talent Show in Flushing in celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Autism Acceptance Month, and Neurodiversity Celebration Month. More than 170 special needs families and participants from CPC's School-Age Child Care Center at PS 20 attended the event. The inclusive community event provided participants with a supportive platform to showcase their talents, celebrate personal achievements, and engage meaningfully with the broader community. The event also created opportunities for families and caregivers to connect with one another, fostering stronger support networks and promoting greater awareness and inclusion within local communities.

CPC Brings AAPI & Immigrant Priorities to Virtual Advocacy Day

On April 16th, CPC staff and community members participated in six legislative meetings with Speaker Julie Menin, Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams, and Council Members Chris Banks, Mercedes Narcisse, Justin Sanchez, and Sandra Ung as part of CPC’s Virtual Advocacy Day. During these meetings, we highlighted CPC's top budget priorities and emphasized the urgency of these investments to meet the growing needs of AAPI and immigrant communities. These priorities included equitable implementation of 2-Care investments, as well as the renewal and expansion of funding for low-income families through the Child Care Assistance Program to $25 million. We also urged the Council to invest $3.5 million in RISE, a coordinated legal services network providing in-language support to Asian New Yorkers, $7.5 million to the AAPI Community Support Initiative, and $100 million for the Community Food Connection program to ensure families have access to emergency food.