News & Media

Nineteen community organizations will host the Southern Brooklyn AAPI Heritage Month Celebration on May 16, 2026, at New Utrecht High School. The event honors AAPI culture and history through performances, trivia, and awards for notable leaders, including Justice Lillian Wan, Captain Mohammed Islam, and community digital blogger, Naratama. With the theme “Celebrate Unity, Embrace Diversity,” the festival features Thai, Balinese, and Chinese cultural showcases. Admission is free with tickets from partners like CPC or Homecrest, aiming to strengthen community bonds and inspire future leaders.

As the New York state budget is finalized, advocates urge leaders to include a $3 million fund to reimburse victims of EBT theft. Despite rising skimming attacks—with NYC processing over 142,000 claims recently—federal aid has expired, leaving vulnerable seniors and families without a safety net. While the state plans to transition to chip-enabled cards by 2027, this transition is years away. Advocates argue that immediate reimbursement is the only way to protect those currently being targeted by persistent, predictable fraud.

As the MTA retires MetroCards by Dec. 31, 2025, Homecrest leaders are advocating for older New Yorkers facing digital and language barriers with the OMNY rollout. From confusing machine interfaces to inactive Access-A-Ride cards and a lack of photo IDs for security, many seniors are struggling to navigate the new system. With fare hikes approaching in 2026, we are calling on the MTA to prioritize multilingual support and accessibility. Community groups shouldn't have to fill these gaps alone; equity must be at the center of NYC transit.

Brooklyn Org (BKO) committed $1.5 million in multi-year grants to 16 nonprofits, including Homecrest Community Services, to address the impact of government funding cuts and rising costs.

The grants support key services like food aid, mental health, immigrant rights, and services for older adults. BKO cited a survey showing 86% of local nonprofits face rising costs and 60% lost government funding. This is part of the Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn campaign to increase support for frontline work.

EBT card skimming is a growing issue affecting many SNAP recipients, particularly seniors in New York City. Affected individuals, like 91-year-old S. Lai, discover their benefits drained shortly after they’re deposited, often leaving them without crucial food assistance. Community organizations report increasing cases of fraud, with over $43 million in reimbursements issued for stolen benefits. Despite security features like the Freeze Card function, many seniors continue to struggle. Advocates call for stronger protections, including chip-enabled cards.

Many older adults in Southern Brooklyn, like F. Wong and G. Chen, are deeply concerned about the potential cuts to federal programs like SNAP, which provide essential support for food and healthcare. A recent survey by Homecrest Community Services found that over 50% of respondents, mostly seniors, ranked healthcare access as their top priority, followed by public safety and government services. With the general election approaching, residents are urging candidates to address these issues, as rising costs and uncertainty around services are putting increasing strain on their communities.

Ahead of the 2025 NYC General Election, Homecrest Community Services surveyed over 300 low-income, immigrant South Brooklyn voters on their priorities. The top three concerns identified for the next Mayor are: Healthcare Accessibility, Community Safety, and Government Program Access. Additionally, language and translation needs were the second most cited family challenge (over 40%), highlighting an urgent need for inclusive, multilingual public systems. Homecrest leadership emphasized these issues are crucial for families to live with dignity and hope.