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Environmental Advocates $40,000
Albany, New York
Val Washington, Executive Director
In 1988, New York State enacted the Solid Waste Management Act requiring that all municipalities
reduce the solid waste they generate by 10%, and recycle 40% of that waste by 1997. Until recently,
little state funding has been available to assist municipalities in meeting these goals. However, over the
past two years Environmental Advocates (formerly the New York Environmental Institute), a statewide
coalition of environmental groups, organized a successful advocacy effort that secured $8 million for
such programs from the newly created Environmental Protection Fund. During the coming year, our
grant will allow the Institute to involve more local government officials, businesses, and community
groups in an expanded campaign to increase state funding for projects that will reduce waste, facilitate
recycling, and expand markets for recycled materials. In addition, project staff will continue working
with other advocates to mobilize support for composting programs, recycling and reuse of discarded
tires, and incentive funding to municipalities for effective waste reduction initiatives.
Hunger Action Network of New York State $45,000
Albany, New York
Mark A. Dunlea, Executive Director
Founded in 1982, the Hunger Action Network of New York State is a statewide coalition of emergency
food providers and advocates. Since 1987, HANNYS has monitored the provision of services and
benefits by county Departments of Social Services, as well as the oversight and enforcement conducted
by the State Department of Social Services. This year, with far-reaching changes taking place at
the federal and state levels, HANNYS will focus its research and advocacy on state policy debates and
state and county implementation of new rules affecting public assistance recipients. HANNYS will
interview public assistance recipients and low-income wage earners about their need for and use of
child care and child care subsidies. In addition, staff will analyze job placement rates for welfare
recipients in several counties. Drawing on this research, HANNYS will work with local coalitions in
monitoring state and county Departments of Social Services and advocating with policymakers to preserve
essential aid to needy New Yorkers. Our grant is in support of HANNYS's research, state level
advocacy, and assistance to local organizing and advocacy efforts.