Building Healthy Communities with Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg

Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg

My mission as a legislator is to build healthy communities in every sense of the word - environmentally healthy, economically healthy, physically & mentally healthy, all through the lens of equity. In this monthly podcast series, I'll be talking with the leaders, advocates and others who are helping to build healthy communities here in AD95 and beyond. Along the way, we'll share information and resources for local residents - news you can use. read less

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Episode 7: Cynthia Knox of CHHOP

Episode 7: Cynthia Knox of CHHOP

In this episode of Building Healthy Communities, Assemblywoman Levenberg speaks with Cynthia Knox, CEO of Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP). CHHOP operates Westchester's only homeless shelter north of White Plains out of the Jan Peek House in Peekskill. The organization offers a variety of programs aligned with their core belief that every person is entitled to safe, affordable housing and healthy, nutritious food. CHHOP works to alleviate hunger and homelessness in Peekskill and the surrounding area by providing temporary housing, long-term housing, and advocacy, along with clinical and support services for veterans, domestic violence survivors, and chronically homeless people of all genders. CHHOP also provides healthy and nutritious food through Fred’s Pantry, its farm to table food pantry, to those who are facing food insecurity. You can learn more about CHHOP and how to get involved in their mission at www.chhop.org.

Episodios

Episode 7: Cynthia Knox of CHHOP

Episode 7: Cynthia Knox of CHHOP

In this episode of Building Healthy Communities, Assemblywoman Levenberg speaks with Cynthia Knox, CEO of Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP). CHHOP operates Westchester's only homeless shelter north of White Plains out of the Jan Peek House in Peekskill. The organization offers a variety of programs aligned with their core belief that every person is entitled to safe, affordable housing and healthy, nutritious food. CHHOP works to alleviate hunger and homelessness in Peekskill and the surrounding area by providing temporary housing, long-term housing, and advocacy, along with clinical and support services for veterans, domestic violence survivors, and chronically homeless people of all genders. CHHOP also provides healthy and nutritious food through Fred’s Pantry, its farm to table food pantry, to those who are facing food insecurity. You can learn more about CHHOP and how to get involved in their mission at www.chhop.org.

Episode 6: Hearing From Constituents

Episode 6: Hearing From Constituents

Each month, our office receives hundreds of phone and email messages from constituents. In this episode, we go through the most common inquiries and comments that our office has received so far in Assemblywoman Levenberg’s first term, and how we’re responding to them. Listen to learn more about how our office, and state government in general, are working to help build healthy communities. Have a question or a comment? The best way to send it to us is via our online contact form: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Dana-Levenberg/contact/. If you need immediate assistance with something, please feel free to call us at (914) 941-1111 during regular business hours (Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM).

Episode 5: Sustaining Our Seniors

Episode 5: Sustaining Our Seniors

In this episode of Building Healthy Communities, Assemblywoman Levenberg shines a light on some programs supporting seniors in the district. First, she speaks with Johnathan Zamora, director of the Peekskill Senior Nutrition Program, about their many offerings. Next, we hear from Cora Silvestri and Judith Shangold, the two women behind the “Old Traditions, New Beginnings” senior legacy project our office is helping to facilitate. All of our local communities have centers that help keep older residents healthy and connected to the community. For more information, visit www.seniorcitizens.westchestergov.com (Westchester County residents) or www.putnamcountyny.com/osr (Putnam County residents). To learn more about “Old Traditions, New Beginnings” project, submit writing, or volunteer to help, email district95@nyassembly.gov or call us at (914) 941-1111.

Lauren Brois & Lauren Kroell of Sustainable Westchester

Lauren Brois & Lauren Kroell of Sustainable Westchester

As we seek to meet the ambitious goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York State is working with local organizations to help households and businesses make the transition to more environmentally friendly practices. In Westchester County, Sustainable Westchester is the entity that provides assistance to municipalities, small businesses, and residents, encouraging “green” practices through education and incentive programs. In this episode, I speak with Lauren Brois, Director of Sustainable Westchester's EnergySmart Homes program, and Lauren Kroell, their Community Energy Advisor, about how Sustainable Westchester works with people just like me and you to make our region a greener place. You can learn more about their programs and offerings at www.sustainablewestchester.org.

Episode 3: Kevin Sylvester, former chief of the Ossining Police Department

Episode 3: Kevin Sylvester, former chief of the Ossining Police Department

There has been much discussion over the past few years regarding policing, and mental health has emerged as an important consideration. Many wish to take a new look at police responses to mental health crises to ensure the safety of those in need of help. In this episode, Assemblywoman Levenberg speaks with Kevin Sylvester, outgoing Chief of the Ossining Police Department, to discuss Ossining’s Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), which embeds professionals trained to respond to mental health issues in the police department. Chief Sylvester has been a longtime advocate for policing with a conscious focus on mental health, and the establishment of the MCRT is one result of his advocacy. For a full list of towns covered by mobile crisis response teams in our area, check out https://www.fsw.org/mobile-crisis-response-team.

Episode 2: Jeanette Gisbert, Volunteer New York

Episode 2: Jeanette Gisbert, Volunteer New York

The season of giving is upon us! In this episode of Building Healthy Communities, Assemblywoman Levenberg talks to Jeanette Gisbert, Executive Director of Volunteer New York. Volunteer New York connects New Yorkers in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties with opportunities to contribute their time and talents to causes and not-for-profits that need their help. Hear Jeanette talk about how she first got involved, and learn more about the value this organization provides to the region. If you have some time to spare to help out in your community this holiday season, visit https://www.volunteernewyork.org/holiday to find volunteer opportunities near you.

Episode 1: CarlLa Horton, Hope's Door

Episode 1: CarlLa Horton, Hope's Door

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In this first episode of Building Healthy Communities, Assemblywoman Levenberg talks to CarlLa Horton, Executive Director of Hope's Door, a local non-profit helping victims of intimate partner violence become survivors. Hear the moving story of CarlLa's personal experience with this issue and how Hope's Door helps people from all walks of life defeat the scourge of domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the Hope's Door hotline at 1-888-438-8700 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (Content advisory: This episode contains references to physical violence and sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised.)