Congresswoman Grace Meng presents check to NaFFAA executive team (L-R) Clifford Robin Temprosa, Assemblymember Steven Raga, Laura Garcia, Congresswoman Grace Meng, Rachelle Peraz-Ocampo, Ocampo’s daughter, Sabrina Tesalona, and Kathleen Arcangeles | Photo by Kielan Santos
NEW YORK – The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)-New York has obtained support from Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Queens) with a historic $1.6 million in federal funds to build a multicultural community center in Little Manila in Woodside, New York. Meng presented a check facsimile representing the grant amount to NaFFAA New York president Rachelle Peraz-Ocampo.
The historic grant is perhaps the first and most significant amount given to an ethnic-based civic organization such as NaFFAA New York across New York State. Even its mother federation, NaFFAA, has not received such an amount from its sponsors or supporters. By securing such funding, the emerging needs of the Filipino and Filipino American communities will be addressed through comprehensive social services within a culturally responsive and safe environment, according to NaFFAA New York,
“This space will be a crucial resource for our local Filipino American community, and I am excited to help move the
project forward,” Meng said as she looked forward to the community center’s future groundbreaking. She also said she was proud to represent FilAms in Congress. “The Filipino American community has made so many valuable contributions to our city and nation, and I will keep up the fight for them.”
In presenting the check to NaFFAA New York at Little Manila at 69th Street and Roosevelt Avenue, in Woodside, New York, with a “Mabuhay” mural serving as a backdrop of the event on November 1 and the presence of FilAm community leaders and members, Meng was “thrilled to join NaFFAA New York to commemorate these crucial federal funds that I obtained for this much-needed community center.”
Ocampo was grateful for Meng’s unwavering support and commitment to the Filipino community and applauded Meng’s efforts and advocacy to be an impactful, valuable, and steadfast partner for the over 146,000 Filipinos and FilAms in New York.
“This $1.6 million in federal funds is not just a financial investment; it represents hope, growth, and the promise of a brighter future for Filipino Americans in New York,” Ocampo said. “Together, we are building a vibrant multicultural community center that will serve as a beacon of empowerment, unity, and cultural pride for generations to come.”
Ryan Numata, president-elect of the NaFFAA, echoed Ocampo’s praise, emphasizing Meng’s leadership and the vision of NaFFAA New York in advancing equity for FilAm communities. “We believe (that) this historic investment sets a precedent of a blueprint for state and federal government officials to follow in diversifying how resources are allocated to the over 4.3 million Filipinos across the country,” said Numata.
Meanwhile, Steven Raga, the first Filipino American elected to the New York State Assembly, representing District 30, said, “The funds will allow NaFFAA (New York) to create a space in Little Help that will help them better support the community’s needs through vital work.” Raga added, “Not only will the community center be a symbolic landmark for New York’s Filipino community, but it will strengthen multicultural relationships in the diverse and beautiful borough of Queens.”
In a statement, NaFFAA New York said it will “stand firm, committed, and ready to work with diverse stakeholders. It is to ensure that the lived experiences of the Filipino diaspora, which includes but is not limited to immigrant Filipinos and Filipino Americans, undocumented Filipinos, migrant workers, and the low-income, middle, and working classes, are heard, represented, and accounted for.
NaFFAA New York is led by an executive team comprised of Rachelle Ocampo, president; Azja Ragasa, executive director; Stevenson Van Derodar, vice chair; Alyssa Trinidad, treasurer; Kathleen Arcangeles, secretary; Clifford Robin Temprosa, director of public policy; Sabrina Tesalona, director of digital engagement; and Angelo Salva Cruz, events curator.
