CHHOP Announces New Support Program Tierra Solida / Solid Ground Supported Through Grant Awarded by NewYork-Presbyterian’s Community Fund
Program to Provide Rental and Utility Arrears Assistance For Qualified Applicants
Mailene Ramos Named as Program Manager
April 23, 2024
Peekskill, NY -- Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP), announces the launch of its newest community support program Tierra Solida / Solid Ground supported with a generous grant awarded to CHHOP by NewYork Presbyterian’s Community Fund.
This proactive program will assist immigrant and low-wage workers from falling into homelessness due to short-term, emergency financial issues they may face, such as loss of wages due to illness, by providing temporary rental arrears and/or utility assistance to qualified individuals. This new initiative will boost housing security, as well as the health and well-being of our Fred’s Pantry clients - and other lower income residents - by avoiding eviction or having their utilities shut off. CHHOP has hired Mailene Ramos as Program Manager to oversee Tierra Solida / Solid Ground.
Cynthia Knox, CEO, CHHOP stated, “CHHOP is dedicated to taking proactive measures that aid in the prevention of housing and food insecurity in our community with programs such as Tierra Solida / Solid Ground. With the incredible support of organizations like NewYork Presbyterian – who recognize the importance of our mission - we are able to adapt to changing needs in a proactive and substantive way. In Mailene Ramos, we have found someone with the integrity, knowledge and empathy needed for the program to be successful, and we very much welcome her to the team.”
Ramos was born and raised in the Bronx. As a Fordham Law graduate and lawyer, she had worked under the Ferrick Center for Social Justice in several projects focusing on Immigrant Justice, Civil Legal Advice, Housing Rights and Pandemic Relief Funds. As a Community Economic Development clinic student, she aided in the formal incorporation of not-for-profit startups. Her work in the Public Interest sector awarded her the 2023 Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award. Ramos aspires to utilize her time, resources, and skills to support Human Rights, Public Interest and Environmental Justice.
In addition to Jan Peek House - the only shelter in Northern Westchester serving the most vulnerable and homeless - and Fred’s Pantry which, in 2023, provided over 18,000 households with nearly a quarter of a million meals, CHHOP also runs three additional support services for the community. Healthcare for Homeless Veterans, the first and only program of this type in Hudson Valley providing residential, clinical and treatment services with 90 to 180 day transitional housing; Turning Point supports chronically homeless people living with a disability through housing assistance, home visits, advocacy, life skills training and crisis intervention; and RISE, which supports domestic violence survivors by promoting economic independence through safe, affordable housing, support and employment services.
About
CHHOP - Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill - is a nonprofit organization, and the only one of its type in Northern Westchester County, New York, whose work is to support and advocate on behalf of those in our community who are in need. This includes the operation of a shelter for adults of all genders who are at risk of homelessness or are unhoused, including military veterans; a permanent, supportive housing program for those living with a disability; a collaborative housing, employment and support program for survivors of domestic violence and their families; a rental arrears and support service program for low wage workers and immigrants, and Fred’s Pantry “our farm to pantry” food pantry for those experiencing food insecurity.
For more information about CHHOP, please visit www.chhop.org and follow Facebook.com/CHHOPorg or @chhop_peekskill on Instagram.