Jawonio In The News
Rally in the Valley Draws Over 3,000
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…
Watch Rally in the Valley advocacy event for persons with disabilities
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.
Rockland’s ‘Rally in the Valley’ calls for boost to disability workforce, services
“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.
Disability Rights Activists To Call For 2.7 Increase to State Budget at Rally in the Valley
Third Annual Rally in the Valley At RCC Will Draw More Than 40 Groups Rallying For State Officials To Bolster Spiraling Costs.
How end of Haitian TPS threatens care for people with disabilities
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.
Can NY budget fix pay gap for workers who aid those with disabilities?
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.
Organization Empowers Lives and Builds Community
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…
How Rockland’s Tiffany Mason is speaking up for herself, others with disabilities
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.
People with disabilities and nonprofits rally against Medicaid cuts in Rockland
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.
‘Rally in the Valley’ brings crowd together in Rockland for disability rights
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…
Photos: Sen. Schumer and others speak out against cuts to Medicaid
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stands with Medicaid recipients, healthcare workers, and caregivers at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Nyack Haverstraw, N.Y. April 17, 2025. Schumer spoke about how cuts to Medicaid will affect recipients as Republicans in Congress vote to enact cuts to the program as well as to other social safety net…
Sports Recognition Ceremony On Field At Yankee Stadium For Members From Jawonio
Members from Jawonio in Rockland were recognized in an on-field ceremony prior to yesterday’s New York Yankees game. Founded in 1947 by a group of families that believed their children with disabilities had the potential to live full and productive lives, Jawonio, an indigenous word for “Independence,” has become an essential resource for families in Rockland and Westchester…
