On September 13, Homecrest Community Services (HCS) held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the Sunset Park Community Service Center. Located at 901 60th Street in Brooklyn, this new facility aims to provide enhanced support to the Chinese community in the Sunset Park area, offering services such as assistance with government benefit applications, immigration and citizenship programs, youth leadership initiatives, and parental support, all while raising awareness of anti-Asian incidents.
HCS currently operates community service centers in Sheepshead Bay, Bensonhurst, and West 7th Street, making the Sunset Park center their fourth branch. HCS President and CEO Wei-yi Chen explained that after launching the West 7th Street center last year, they began noticing an increasing number of Sunset Park residents seeking assistance. This demand led to the establishment of the new center in Sunset Park for improved accessibility.
The grand opening drew several prominent guests, including State Senator Julia Salazar, Assemblymember Grace Lee, City Councilmember Shahana Hanif, and Lingxia Ye, a representative from Congressman Dan Goldman’s office. Each guest congratulated HCS, commending the organization for its commitment to expanding services that benefit a wider range of residents.
Senator Salazar also recognized the center with a commendation, highlighting HCS’s crucial contributions to supporting Asian families in Brooklyn, particularly in areas such as elder care and family assistance. The establishment of the Sunset Park Community Service Center was made feasible through a state grant, championed by Salazar and Lee, providing $30 million over two years for the Asian Pacific Islander community, which will aid over a hundred community organizations in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.
HCS anticipates that the new center will assist new immigrants with citizenship applications, voter registration, and civic education, aiding their integration into American society. Furthermore, the center will promote opportunities for youth to engage in community activities and support parents in enhancing their communication skills, bridging the generational language gap among immigrant families. In light of the rising incidents of anti-Asian violence, the Sunset Park center plans to host workshops to raise awareness and collaborate with local law enforcement on strategies to combat these issues.
To cater to the diverse linguistic needs of Sunset Park’s residents, the center will hire case managers fluent in various Chinese dialects, ensuring new immigrants receive the necessary assistance. HCS provides a wide array of free community services, including housing support, tax exemptions for seniors, healthcare consultations, and help with various government benefits.
For those in need of assistance, the Sunset Park Community Service Center is located at 901 60th Street #CF2 and is open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. They can be reached at (718) 606-5800. The Bensonhurst Community Service Center is available at (718) 621-7960, open Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 2 PM (by appointment only), while the Sheepshead Bay Community Service Center can be contacted at (718) 376-4036, also open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM (appointments required, except on Wednesdays). Lastly, the Diverse Community Service Center is reachable at (718) 682-6688, open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. For more information, you can call any of the locations or visit their website at https://www.homecrest.org.
