Assemblymembers Secure $2 Million Grant for Community Center of Northern Westchester

KATONAH, N.Y. - The Community Center of Northern Westchester (CCNW) will soon receive a $2 million grant from New York State.

State Assemblymembers Chris Burdick and Dana Levenberg secured the funding in the FY2025 state budget, which will benefit the Katonah-based nonprofit which provides food, clothing, and other resources and programs designed to promote well-being and self-sufficiency among low-income residents throughout the region. 

The organization is preparing to break ground on a major expansion project that will include renovations of their existing facility along with the construction of a 3,500 square foot addition. The funding secured by Burdick and Levenberg will be used for site development and laying the foundation for the expanded facility. 

“We are so grateful for this extraordinarily generous award,” said Executive Director of CCNW Clare Murray. “Thank you, Assemblymember Burdick and Assemblywoman Levenberg, for caring for our entire community so deeply, and for believing in us and our mission. This will enable us to right-size our home and continue to improve the lives of so many of our friends and neighbors when they need us most.” 

Among other benefits, the expansion will enable CCNW to enlarge its food pantry, add an elevator for universal access, provide new meeting spaces for client services, and build a classroom to enhance its educational programming. This will not only improve the organization’s ability to meet our community’s current needs but also provide the flexibility to respond to future challenges.

The project is also environmentally conscious, adhering to New York State’s stretch energy code and inclusive of features such as an electric air source heat pump for heating and cooling, energy-efficient LED lighting, infrastructure to support the future addition of solar panels, and environmentally-friendly materials and finishes. 

“Every day, the Community Center of Northern Westchester provides food, clothing, and other types of assistance to those in our community, no questions asked. It is truly an amazing organization that brings transformational change to hundreds of families across Northern Westchester,” said Burdick. “I am delighted that Assemblywoman Levenberg and I could secure this $2 million grant to help ensure this tremendous organization has the facility it needs to continue its important work for many years to come.”  

Article courtesy of the Office of Assemblymember Chris Burdick.