Leo Orzuna entered Westhab’s Skills for Life program like any teenager would—unsure of what he was getting into and skeptical that it would be worth his time. After two years in the program, Leo grew into a leader and mentor for the other youth. “Leo has grown and matured while participating in various workshops provided,” […]
Category Archives: Westhab Stories
When Legislation Isn’t Enough—10 Ways Westhab Goes Above and Beyond for Fair Housing
Background on the Federal Fair Housing Act: Enacted in 1968, the Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing on the basis of race, religion, national origin, and sex. It’s critical to equality in housing, but barriers to entry remain—particularly in rental housing. Federal Fair Housing legislation doesn’t stop […]
US Ignite Selects Westchester County Association to Lead a Community Broadband Pilot in Yonkers as Part of Project OVERCOME
Westhab Joins Community Broadband Pilot in Yonkers as Part of Project OVERCOME White Plains, N.Y. (March 30, 2021) – The Westchester County Association (WCA) is one of seven lead organizations to have been selected by US Ignite, a national non-profit accelerating the smart city movement, to participate in Project OVERCOME. Project OVERCOME, a $2.7 million […]
Celebrating Social Work Month with Katie Green, MSW
In honor of Social Work Month, we’re getting to know some of Westhab’s incredible social workers. Katie Green celebrated 20 years with Westhab on March 8, 2021. We sat down with her to learn more about how she came to be a social worker. Her story is an inspiring one—and it’s one of the reasons […]
Reinvest at Home
It took months of spreading lies to the general public about election fraud, 147 members of Congress to object to the certification of a valid presidential election, and a deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol for many of America’s largest companies to reevaluate their political giving, but we are glad they did. Some companies announced […]
More Than a Job: Westhab helps Raymond Taylor find a career
It’s not an uncommon story to feel lost in your 20s—to be uncertain of how you fit into the world. But by your late-20s, society expects you to know where you’re headed. For 28-year-old Yonkers native Raymond Taylor, finding his career path has been a challenge. He attended college, but found […]
Westhab Partners with Cisco to Provide Free Wi-Fi at Dayspring Campus in Nodine Hill
Cisco has awarded Westhab a grant of $250,000 of in-kind technology and services to provide free Wi-Fi access at Westhab’s Dayspring Campus. This is the first step in Westhab’s larger vision to expand free Wi-Fi to the entire Nodine Hill community. Cisco has enacted similar partnerships in the past, notably with the City of Toronto, […]
The Roof Over My Head
I’ve always been an advocate for practicing gratitude, especially during the holidays and as we enter into a new year. In a year where we’ve seen extreme suffering and an exacerbation of the homelessness crisis in NYC, Westchester, and all over the country, I’m pushing myself further […]
Valerie C. Smith Honored with New York Life Foundation Love Takes Action Award
Earlier this Fall, Valerie C. Smith, Westhab’s Assistant Vice President for New York City Singles Housing Programs, was honored with a New York Life Foundation Love Takes Action Award. She was nominated for the award by Robert H. Petrocelli, Jr., an agent with New York Life’s Manhattan General Office, and the First Vice Chair of […]
Giving Thanks Under the Mask
Thanksgiving has always been my family’s favorite holiday. My parents usually host 20 or more family and friends for an incredible day of feasting, football, and fellowship. This year, our tradition will be broken for the first time in my life. It has been a tough year all around. My parents have only held my […]