Today Assemblymember Harry Bronson was joined by RMAPI Executive Director, Aqua Porter, Assemblyman Demond Meeks and Assemblymember Jen Lunsford to announce a $750,000 investment for RMAPI, which was made at the request of the Greater Rochester Majority Delegation.

Founded in 2015, RMAPI is a coalition of individuals and organizations working together to tackle the systematic root causes that create and perpetuate poverty in Rochester. In 2023, RMAPI unveiled its Unity Agenda as a roadmap for the community to address poverty in a comprehensive way and evolve beyond a single-point definition of poverty to focus on creating Upward Mobility.

RMAPI’s leadership in Rochester and Monroe County has led to concrete and meaningful progress. RMAPI has long pushed for minimum wage increases, challenging our community to raise wages to $15 per hour in 2021. More than 110 employers made a commitment to wage enhancements through RMAPI's Level Up Champions initiative, moving more than 12,000 people to $15 per hour or more in the years before the state's minimum wage increase went into effect.

RMAPI was also instrumental in advocating to raise the state minimum wage to $15 per hour and, last year, brought considerable support to the Clean Slate Act which was signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The economic impact of both these policies will be significant. This year RMAPI has focused on housing, mental health services, childcare and broadening opportunities for marginalized people to successfully enter the workforce.

This $750,000 in state funding will allow RMAPI to expand their operations, integrate more thoroughly with areas of desired impact, and implement concrete steps to uplift people out of poverty.

By recognizing the three main drivers of upward mobility – dignity and belonging, power and autonomy, and economic success – RMAPI is leading efforts to align our community and make immediate progress.

“RMAPI is grateful for the deep support and diligent work of Assemblymember Bronson to secure state funding,” said Aqua Y. Porter, RMAPI Executive Director. “This represents a significant investment for the future of our community as we work to break the cycle of poverty by shifting power to enable upward mobility for individuals and families. The State of New York has been a steadfast partner since RMAPI’s inception close to a decade ago, and we continue to work closely with our local delegation to advocate for higher wages, for investments in families, for a more affordable and accessible housing system, and an end of policies that make it a crime to be poor.”

“Alleviating poverty cannot be done without investing in a more equitable, diverse and inclusive economy. As Chair of Labor, I believe that access to a good paying job is the most important element to uplift families and change the trajectory of entire neighborhoods,” said Assemblymember Harry Bronson.

“RMAPI’s work has made a critical impact in uplifting marginalized communities, and represents a robust, achievable framework for transforming opportunity into a path forward so that all families and individuals have the resources to succeed. I am proud to support the collective Unity Agenda that is moving Rochester and Monroe County towards a more equitable future.”

“Throughout Rochester, our residents and families continue to be denied equitable pathways to success. Widespread disparities in housing, education, and meaningful opportunities to build generational wealth have only further harmed the welfare of our neighborhoods,” said Assemblyman Demond Meeks. “Despite these challenges, we are still a community that understands that we are stronger together.

Thanks to the leadership and advocacy of organizations like RMAPI, we have been able to take critical steps towards comprehensive solutions that will dismantle the cycle of poverty for our children and families. We remain committed to delivering essential resources and investments that directly provide for the betterment of our community. I would like to thank my state colleagues and the staff and leadership of RMAPI for their tireless efforts on behalf of the people of Greater Rochester and Monroe County.”

"RMAPI aims to create systemic changes that will generate generational impacts for our families living in poverty,” said Assemblymember Jen Lunsford. “From raising wages to investing in families, RMAPI prioritizes dismantling systems that keep people in poverty and providing necessary supports to uplift our families. I'm proud to join with my elected colleagues to celebrate funding that will continue the great work that RMAPI does for the children and families of Rochester. I will continue to lend my voice to these priorities in Albany to secure the support needed to meet RMAPI's goals."

“Addressing the complex issue of poverty requires innovative solutions, input from grassroots organizations and the much-needed voices of individuals with lived experience. Collaboration among these different perspectives remains critically important as we look to make meaningful investment into our community and advocate for new policies at all levels of government,” said Assemblywoman Sarah Clark. “Together we must find a way to ensure sustainable wages, affordable housing, and access to quality health and mental health care. I am grateful for RMAPI's continued dedication to this fight, with a bold vision and a desire for systemic change, we can disrupt poverty once and for all.”

“Rochester is home to three of the top five poorest zip codes in the state, and nearly one in two children in our city grow up in poverty. I am committed to addressing the root causes of poverty in our community. Today’s state budget funding announcement will support the critical work Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI) does to improve access to housing, mental health services, childcare, and workforce opportunities,” said Senator Samra G. Brouk.

“RMAPI has long been leading the fight against poverty in Rochester, efforts that are especially needed with our city’s unacceptable child poverty rates,” said Senator Jeremy Cooney. “Whether it’s focusing on daily needs like housing or making investments to set individuals up for future success and enter the workforce, it’s crucial that we continue to support RMAPI’s efforts. That’s why I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues to deliver this funding and will always support lifting members of our community out of poverty.”