Statement from CAS President and CEO, Richard Buery

New York, NY - Children and families are feeling the pain of City budget cuts.  While we are grateful funding has been partially restored for after school programs in NYC, 150 deaf and hard of hearing youth are being left out. Young people from all five boroughs, 80% of whom are from low-income households, in the Children's Aid Society's Saturday Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Youth will now have no resources to help them through school.  The program has demonstrated improvements in participants’ communication skills and success in school.  Our City must not shut the door on children with special needs.

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The Children’s Aid Societyis an independent, not-for-profit organization established to serve the children of New York City.  Our mission is to help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive supports to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Founded in 1853, it is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative non-sectarian agencies, serving New York’s neediest children. Services are provided in community schools, neighborhood centers, health clinics and camps. For additional information, please call Anthony Ramos at (212) 949-4938/ (917) 204-8214, email anthonyr@childrensaidsociety.orgor visit www.childrensaidsociety.org.