Partnerships Facilitate this Year’s “Angel Project”

YONKERS – New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) joined the Family Service Society of Yonkers, Family Ties, and the Greyston Community Garden Project to facilitate this year’s “Angel Project,” a program aimed at delivering presents to grandparents and other kinship caregivers raising children whose parents are unable to care for them.

Over 4,000 grandparents and other kinship caregivers in such situations live in Westchester County. Their circumstances are varied and complex, and many of them forego the basics to improve the lives of the children they care for.

Senator Stewart-Cousins started the “Angel Project” last year to bring holiday cheer to the neediest of these caregivers. While several gift-giving organizations bring presents to children during the holiday season, few give gifts to the grandparents and caregivers who sacrifice so much for their families.

Stewart-Cousins found gift-givers, or “Angels,” and matched them with caregivers from the Family Service Society of Yonkers, Family Ties, and the Greyston Community Garden Project. Over 50 “Angels” purchased items on these caregivers’ wishlists and distributed the gifts at a party at the Center for the Urban River at Beczak (CURB) on December 18. Affinity Health Plan purchased food and beverages for the event from Manor Bagel.

“The holidays are a time of giving,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins. “Every Angel played an important role in a struggling family’s life this holiday season – and the caregivers will always remember this kindness.”