WHITE PLAINS — CSEA members impacted by a fire that ripped through their apartment building are feeling the support of our union.
Just before Thanksgiving, a blaze engulfed a large apartment building on Cottage Avenue in Mount Vernon, leaving roughly 120 residents without homes.
Due to the extent of the damage, residents have had to find new housing, with many staying with family while they search for options within their budgets.
CSEA Westchester County leaders alerted CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan of the fire’s impact on union members. She, in turn, requested support through the AFSCME Fallen Heroes Fund, a resource through our international union that provides financial support to members facing disasters.
In mid-December, AFSCME Area Field Services Director Ryan Welles visited CSEA offices in White Plains to present members with checks from the Fallen Heroes Fund.
Westchester County Local President Hattie Adams and Westchester County Unit President Joseph Dalli welcomed union leaders to their respective offices to speak with members and offer support.
The members also received support from the Southern Region’s Disaster Relief Fund, an initiative supported through annual fundraising efforts. Southern Region President Rosemarie Kukys presented members with donations from the fund.
The financial assistance was a major help as members cope with the trauma from the fire and the financial burden of finding new homes, they said.
One member had lived in the building for 49 years and said many residents faced losing rent-controlled apartments, which are now difficult to find.
The fire was so serious that it received widespread coverage in the New York City media market.
While the damage was extensive, members expressed gratitude that there were no serious injuries, especially considering the age of the building and the fact that many residents didn’t realize the severity of the overnight fire.
CSEA Westchester Retirees Local member Andrea Phillips, who retired as a Westchester County Unit member working in the Department of Social Services, said she was alerted after initially not hearing fire alarms.
Grabbing what she could, she exited and was met with black smoke and firefighters moving through the hallway to ensure residents evacuated.
“I’ll never be able to unsee that,” said Phillips.
— Jessica Ladlee
