See the nonprofits who witnessed passage of the DREAM Act

New York state lawmakers are hosting a hearing today on funding for human services. The joint hearing by the state Assembly and Senate will take place at 9:30 a.m. in Hearing Room B of the Legislative Office Building in Albany, according to a press release.

Government officials scheduled to testify include: New York State Office of Children and Family Services Acting Commissioner Sheila J. Poole, New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Services Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts, and New York State Office for the Aging Acting Director Greg Olsen.

Representatives from the nonprofit sector include New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Connie Neal, UJA-Federation of New York Advocacy and Policy Advisor Ariel Savransky, Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies CEO Jim Purcell, Supportive Housing Network of New York Executive Director Laura Mascuch, and Human Services Council Government and External Relations Manager David Ng. Watch the hearing here.

The Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts has awarded $413,500 in grants. The money will pay for fellows’ travel, museum visits, and other activities related to their research into contemporary art, according to a Jan. 23 press release.

“The curators in this group will conduct research on artists and movements that have been overlooked or ignored while engaging with, in many cases, difficult subject matter that is timely and culturally relevant. Their projects will bring new perspectives and methodologies to bear on the study of exhibition-making and currents in contemporary art,” foundation President Joel Wachs said in the press release.

A lot of nonprofit representatives were on hand as the New York Legislature passed the DREAM Act on Wednesday. The newly-passed legislation will allow undocumented immigrants to receive state financial aid and be eligible for in-state tuition once Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs the bill passed by large majorities in the state Assembly and Senate. After years of advocating for the bill, proponents got emotional.

We're proud to be in Albany along with @thenyic for the historic passing of the #DreamAct! It's an exciting day to be a New Yorker. https://t.co/MUMiMtIT1Q

— UNHNY (@UNHNY) January 23, 2019

We’re emotional sitting in the Senate Chambers listening to testimonies in support of the #DREAMAct. Today #DREAMAct, tomorrow immigrant justice. #OurNY #AdvancingOurCommUNITY

— CPC (@cpc_nyc) January 23, 2019

Thirteen people were arrested in the state Capitol on Wednesday. The arrests followed a civil disobedience action organized by VOCAL-NY that blocked a doorway on the second floor of the Capitol where Gov. Andrew Cuomo has his office. Protesters demanded that the governor support proposed safe injection sites in New York City and Ithaca. The sites are a harm-reduction strategy that offer drug addicts a chance to use under the supervision of medical professionals, effectively reducing overdose deaths.

“You made promises that you would bring us OPCs after the election. We have yet to have one!” #EndOverdoseNY #EndAIDS pic.twitter.com/JispZ780uu

— VOCAL-NY (@VOCALNewYork) January 23, 2019

Nonprofits are urging Gov. Cuomo to commit $20 million in the state budget to support housing programs. As things currently stand, funding for free housing counseling and legal services for people at risk of losing their homes will run out on March 31 unless the governor and the Legislature agree to allocate the additional money. “With the rising threats to homeownership that could lead to countless New Yorkers being displaced and financially ruined, we implore Governor Cuomo to stand up for New York homeowners and save hundreds of nonprofit jobs statewide by including funding in the 21-day amendments,” reads a joint statement from Meghan Faux of Legal Services NYC; Kirsten Keefe of the Empire Justice Center; and Christie Peale of the Center for New York City Neighborhoods.