Astorino Joins Westchester Independent Living Center to Launch Spanish-Language WebsiteLaFuenteNY.org expands access to critical information for Hispanic community White Plains, N.Y. – County Executive Robert P. Astorino will join Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) at 10 a.m. August 21 to officially launch La Fuente, a new coalition and first-ever local website devoted to helping Spanish-speaking residents gain access to information about benefits, employment, social services, health, wellness and education. The event will take place at WILC’s office at 200 Hamilton Ave., White Plains. At that time, service agencies and members of the public will learn how to join the coalition, as well as gain insight into the La Fuente website: www.LaFuenteNY.org. “It is vitally important that Westchester’s growing Hispanic community has access to the information it needs,” Astorino said. “La Fuente will provide a critical tool for our Spanish-speaking residents and will complement the county’s efforts to better serve our vibrant Hispanic population. I also want to thank the Westchester Hispanic Advisory Board for helping to identify the need for this project.” La Fuente is a unique coalition of organizations united by the mutual commitment to provide crucial information to Westchester’s Hispanic community. Before La Fuente, there was no one place where Spanish-speaking people could access such a variety of information about services. Astorino shares La Fuente’s commitment to expand Spanish-language content and also has done so on Westchester County’s website at www.westchestergov.com/enacción. Among other critical issues, La Fuente aims to address important questions about child care, domestic violence, family court services, housing, immigration, health care, English language services, employment, medical information, transportation, and more. Member organizations currently include Family Service Society of Yonkers, Fidelis Care of New York, Food Bank of Westchester, Hope’s Door, The VIVE School and WILC. Since its inception in 1981, WILC has maintained a steady presence in Westchester as one of the leading advocacy organizations for individuals with disabilities. WILC’s Minority Outreach Program offers outreach and direct services in both English and Spanish and works with numerous community agencies. WILC established La Fuente as a way to unite these agencies and to provide a useful resource for those who utilize the services. The Westchester Hispanic Advisory Board recognized the need to provide additional Spanish-language content and supported La Fuente in its mission to do so. ###
