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Fighting poverty by strengthening New York

The Community Service Society (CSS) engages in advocacy, research and direct service to champion better job opportunities to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty among low-income New Yorkers. Our work is particularly targeted toward communities of color that have been historically disadvantaged and now comprise the majority of our city. We use a variety of tools to encourage decision makers in the public and private sectors to support measures to help these hard-working New Yorkers get ahead. CSS promotes policies and programs that result in systemic change and advance the economic security of the working poor and, as a result, strengthens our city.

One-third of all New York City's voting age citizens live in a low-income household. Taken together, low-income New Yorkers constitute a sizeable voting bloc, yet politicians rarely speak to their issues and concerns.

CSS defines a low-income household as earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, or about $34,500 for a family of three. According to the most recent U.S. Census data, in 2009 there were a total of 3.1 million low-income New Yorkers – a number greater than the population of Chicago – totaling 38 percent of the city's population




CSS is a proud recipient of The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund


Why Paid Sick Days Matter to YOU



September, 2011 - "Contagion: Not Just a Movie" is a riveting new video about the serious public health risk posed by 44 million Americans--and 1.3 million New Yorkers--who don't have paid sick days. Visit our partners at Time to Care New York to find out what you can do.


site downloads
pdf Joining His Father, but Carving Out His Own Path
New York Times Neediest, January 23, 2012

pdf Donors Offer Money, Time and Encouragement
New York Times Neediest, January 22, 2012

pdf Statement by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society, on Governor Cuomo's New York Youth Works Program
CSS Statement, January 23, 2012

pdf New U.S. Reality: A Permanent Class of Underemployed?
City Limits, January 17, 2012

pdf A Credit Nightmare, but Coming Out Better in the End
New York Times Neediest, January 12, 2012

pdf Statement by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society, on Mayor Bloomberg's State of the City Address
CSS Statement, January 12, 2012

pdf Health Reform Works: How the Affordable Care Act is Already Making a Difference for New Yorkers
Report 2012. By Arianne Slagle, Catherine W. Chao, and Brandon Sultan

pdf Statement by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society, on Governor Cuomo's State of the State address
CSS Statement, January 4, 2012

pdf For Father Working Three Jobs, a Startling Diagnosis
New York Times Neediest, January 7, 2012

pdf Retired, but Overcoming Her Pain to Help Disabled Children Ride, and Walk, Tall
New York Times Neediest, January 5, 2012

pdf Getting a Helping Hand After Giving Back to the City
New York Times Neediest, December 25, 2011

pdf Helping a Son Cope With Diabetes, While Juggling Her Own Challenges
New York Times Neediest, December 20, 2011

pdf Soul in Rhythm, Even When Life Isn't
New York Times Neediest, December 10, 2011

pdf The Job Crisis and Low-Income New Yorkers: Impact and Implications for 2013 City Elections
Press Release. The Unheard Third 2011

pdf Poverty in America: A Conversation With David R. Jones
Philanthropy News Digest, December 5, 2011

pdf The Jobs Crisis and Low-income New Yorkers: Impact and implications for 2013 city elections
The Unheard Third 2011

pdf After Opening a Door, Watching Anxiety Fade
New York Times Neediest, December 2, 2011

pdf Statement by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society, on Living Wage Legislation
CSS Statement, November 22, 2011

pdf Save youth jobs from the budget ax
Daily News, November 17, 2011

pdf With Sleepaway Camp, Trying to Keep Stability
New York Times Neediest, November 13, 2011

pdf Hearing Concerning Merger of Department of Correctional Services with Division of Parole
Testimony by David R. Jones. November 10, 2011

pdf Statement by the Community Service Society On Opening of "Social Forces Visualized" Exhibit
November 9, 2011

pdf The Housing Role in Workforce Development: Challenge To The New York City Housing Authority
Policy Brief, By Victor Bach and Tom Waters. October 2011

pdf CSS Report Urges NYCHA and City Agencies to Expand Job and Training Opportunities for Low-Income New Yorkers
Press Release, October 28, 2011

pdf Mayor Declares October 26th "City Limits Day in New York City"
Press Release, October 26, 2011

pdf In Seeking Rate Increases in New York, Health Insurers Fight to Keep Secrets
New York Times, October 12, 2011

pdf Job creation must start here and now
Crain's New York Business, September 26, 2011

pdf CSS Statement on Rising Poverty in New York City in 2010
September 22, 2011

pdf New Yorkers Grade the Public Schools Before and After Mayoral Control
The Unheard Third 2011, September 14, 2011

pdf New Yorkers Grade Public School System Before and After Mayoral Control
Press Release. The Unheard Third 2011

pdf Mayor Bloomberg’s City Campaign to Aid Black and Latino Youth
CSS Statement, August 4, 2011

pdf Inside the mayor's new poverty plan
Crain's New York Business, August 4, 2011



Community Health Advocates - Community Service Society of New York - Health Care For All New York - Benefits Plus