On Friday, March 13, more than 3,200 community members gathered at the Rockland Community College Fieldhouse to advocate for the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) at Jawonio’s third annual “Rally in the Valley.” Speakers emphasized the importance of a 4% increase in funding for direct support professionals (DSPs) to keep up…
Rally in the Valley brought people with disabilities out to demand more pay for support workers on the state and federal level on March 13, 2026.
“We say invest in people. We say invest in our workforce. And we say protect services for people with disabilities,” said Randi Rios-Castro, CEO of Jawonio.
Third Annual Rally in the Valley At RCC Will Draw More Than 40 Groups Rallying For State Officials To Bolster Spiraling Costs.
NEW CITY — Marie has helped people living in a St. Dominic’s Family Services residence for 10 years. The direct support professional describes her relationship with the residents, who have a range of disabilities, as “family.” But the Rockland resident is in jeopardy of losing her Temporary Protected Status and having to return to Haiti.
NEW CITY – Families, leaders and consumers of Rockland’s human-care agencies met with state elected leaders to once again pitch a wage boost for direct-care workers in the upcoming state budget.
Since 1947, Jawonio has been a cornerstone of the Hudson Valley community — empowering individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges and chronic medical needs to live, learn, work and thrive. As one of the region’s leading nonprofit providers of comprehensive services, Jawonio serves more than 3,500 individuals annually across Rockland and Westchester counties. Led by CEO Randi Rios-Castro, Jawonio has an operating budget of…
SPARKILL — Tiffany Mason had spent the morning wheeling around the church to set up video equipment and was now lifting her voice in song as the service began, locked in harmony with the organist and another singer.
A group from Jawonio cheers during the Rally in the Valley at Clover Stadium in Pomona March 7, 2025. People with disabilities and the nonprofit agencies who serve them spoke out against threats to federal Medicaid funding.
The second “Rally in the Valley” was held at Clover Stadium in Pomona on Friday. The two-hour event was spearheaded by Jawonio, a Rockland-based organization that supports people with mental and developmental disabilities. “Here we are being that squeaky wheel,” said Randi Rios-Castro, the CEO of Jawonio. “We want to reinforce to all of our…
Jawonio is dedicated to advancing the independence, well-being, and equality of people with disabilities and special needs.
Jawonio is a registered 501c3 organization and the premier provider of lifespan services in the Hudson Valley of New York State.
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