Dozens Of Local Charities Hit The Jackpot At Empire City Casino
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YONKERS, NY — There is a lot of fanfare when a winner hits a big payout at Empire City Casino, but arguably the most important payouts from the Hudson Valley institution benefit those who never set foot on the gaming floor.
Support continues for Bronx and Westchester communities through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives focusing on public education, food insecurity, workforce development and environmental sustainability.
At its inception, Empire City made a promise to be a part of the fabric of its surrounding communities with a strong support for nonprofit organizations in the region. That philanthropic spirit has not wavered under the ownership of MGM Resorts, which acquired the entertainment destination in January of 2019.
Local charitable organizations have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants, cash and in-kind donations, as well as employee volunteer hours, since the acquisition. Philanthropic giving last year alone included more than two dozen local nonprofit organizations which received cash grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to address issues facing surrounding communities.
The MGM Resorts company-wide philanthropic initiative, "Focused on What Matters," guides donations to support public educational programs, food insecurity programs, workforce development programs, as well as environmental sustainability initiatives that create local sustainable environmental changes.
"Social responsibility is ingrained in the MGM Resorts culture," Empire City General Manager Ed Domingo said. "As an economic fixture of the New York ecosystem, we will continue to listen to the needs of the communities and give back to organizations that work to create a better New York for all. We are so thankful for the local nonprofit partnerships that allow us to deliver critical resources to our communities."
The Youth Community Outreach Program (“Y-COP”) of Mount Vernon, a certified childcare provider which helps provide families with equitable access to much-needed childcare and educational programs, was a grant recipient. The support provided by Empire City Casino allowed Y-COP to expand after-school and summer programs for area families.
Additional public education programs were funded through ArtsWestchester, Untermyer Performing Arts Council, and United Way of Westchester & Putnam.
Nonprofit organizations addressing food insecurity, including Feeding Westchester, New York City Food Bank, Yonkers Family YMCA, Yonkers Community Action Program, Youth Shelter Program of Westchester, and Catholic Charities, received funding to provide fresh locally-sourced food to residents in well-known food deserts in Westchester and the Bronx.
Empire City officials said a continued focus on combating food insecurity remains a priority as the number of hungry New Yorkers grows while organizations face a reduction in donations due in large part to inflation and rising food costs.
Greyston Foundation, ArtsWestchester, BronxWorks, Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and The Guidance Center of Westchester were among the grant recipients in the area of workforce development programs.
VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired received funding to support workforce development programs that provide blind or visually impaired youth in the Bronx and Westchester with tools and resources needed to successfully enter the workforce.
"Empire City’s support enables blind youth to achieve their work readiness and employment goals," VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired CEO Nancy Miller said. "They’re helping increase the number of working blind people above the current 40 percent employment rate for blind job seekers, compared to nearly double the number who are sighted and working. Thank you Empire City for making such a major difference in the lives of blind New Yorkers."
Environmental sustainability is also a stated priority for MGM Resorts. A grant from Empire City supported Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Youth Leadership and Green Team initiative to nurture the next generation of environmental leaders. Their Green Team program works with Yonkers Public School students, providing extensive training and placing them in paid environmental jobs. In 2022, the team built infrastructure trenches and rain gardens at various municipal housing sites around the city in response to the vulnerable flooding in Yonkers neighborhoods.
"Empire City Casino has supported our efforts to provide green jobs for local youth and make learning about the local environment accessible to Yonkers residents and visitors," Groundwork Hudson Valley Director Brigitte Griswold said. "There's something powerful about local establishments joining forces for the overall benefit of our community."
Empire City not only contributed monetary donations to organizations but also created employee volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Almost four hundred cumulative volunteer hours were contributed by casino employees to area nonprofit organizations, with initiatives including food packing events, friendly cooking competitions, and assembling summer reading kits for students.
Organizations working in the core focus areas stated above can learn more about the company’s philanthropic opportunities by visiting the Empire City website.
