FY26 Budget Season Recap: Standing with the Hispanic Women’s Resource Centers

With life-changing programs on the chopping block, HWRC clients and community leaders took action to fight devastating budget cuts head-on.

As the FY26 budget season wraps up in New Jersey, the Latino Action Network Foundation (LANF) remains committed to uplifting the voices of the women we serve. This year, we faced serious proposed funding cuts to the Hispanic Women’s Resource Centers (HWRCs)—cuts that would have devastated the programs that empower Latinas to build better futures for themselves and their families.

Throughout budget hearings, LANF staff, community partners, and HWRC clients participated in committee meetings, submitted testimonies, and shared stories to highlight just how essential these programs are. These actions helped center the experiences of over 8,500 Latinas served in the past year alone—many of whom are now employed, self-sufficient, and contributing to the state’s economy thanks to the HWRCs.

Here’s a quick look at how we worked to defend this vital funding:

• Assembly Budget Committee Hearing – March 25, 2025: LANF Director of Policy Saray Ramos and HWRC client Lucina F. delivered powerful remarks urging lawmakers to restore full funding to $4.04 million. Lucina’s heartfelt testimony shared her personal transformation through ESL and computer classes.

• Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee at NJIT – March 26, 2025: LANF Executive Director Jesselly De La Cruz testified alongside HWRC client Bertha G., who spoke directly to legislators about how the program gave her the confidence and skills to pursue stable employment.

• LANF Budget Testimony Submission: Our formal statement outlined the severe impact these cuts would have, and presented real numbers—highlighting the drop from $3.07M to a proposed $535,000.

LANF FY26 Budget Testimony.pdf

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Lucina F. 3_25_25 testimony.jpeg.pdf

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• Media Coverage:The issue gained traction in the press:

  • 📺 NJ Spotlight News video

  • 📰 NJ Spotlight article: “Latino Action Network programs face massive cut in state aid”

  • NorthJersey.com: “This NJ nonprofit organization is bracing for a major cut in state aid. So are others.”

• Visual Materials: We created and shared flyers and program summaries, including our latest HWRC pamphlets and a photo/video folder documenting the community’s involvement.

Why This Matters

HWRCs are more than job training centers—they are safe, welcoming spaces where Latinas gain the skills and confidence to support their families and change the trajectory of their lives. From ESL classes to sewing, resume writing, and financial literacy, these services are designed to help women break cycles of poverty and build toward long-term self-sufficiency.

And the numbers don’t lie: Over 3,200 clients served already this grant cycle. Over 8,500 last year. These are real lives, real stories, and real progress at stake.

What’s Next?

We’re proud of everyone who stood up during this process to protect funding for the HWRCs. Whether you attended a hearing, submitted a testimony, shared your story, or simply cheered us on—thank you. Your support fuels this work.

LANF will continue to spotlight programs that empower New Jersey’s Latina community. Stay connected with us as we work to ensure that HWRCs continue to thrive and serve the women who depend on them.

June 27: Advocacy in Action at the State House

As the budget deadline approached, LANF staff, advocates, and impacted community members traveled to the New Jersey State House on Friday, June 27, for a final push to protect HWRC funding.

Together, we filled the halls, met with legislators, and delivered a clear message: the Hispanic Women’s Resource Centers are vital to the economic wellbeing of thousands of New Jersey families.

We were joined by HWRC clients like Sandra Rios, who shared powerful testimony about the life-changing support her mother received through the program. Throughout the day, advocates made calls, posted live updates, and handed out materials to legislators and their staff.

It was a strong show of unity and determination — and a reminder that when we speak together, our voices carry.

Final Budget Outcome: A Win for HWRCs, But Work Remains

As the FY26 budget is finalized, we’re grateful to report that funding for the Hispanic Women’s Resource Centers (HWRCs) has been partially restored. While this year’s allocation of approximately $2.5 million reflects a reduction from previous years, it marks a significant increase from the Governor’s original proposal and is enough to keep all six centers open.

This outcome was made possible by the tireless advocacy of our community and strong legislative champions. We are especially grateful to Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz for leading the charge, and to legislative leadership including Senate President Nick Scutari, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo, and Assembly Budget Chair Eliana Pintor-Marin for prioritizing this critical funding.

We also thank the New Jersey Legislative Hispanic Caucus for standing united in defense of HWRCs. Members including Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie, Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, Assemblyman Julio Marenco, Assemblywoman Carmen Morales, Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor-Marin, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez, and Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez fought to ensure these programs remained accessible to the communities they serve.

In a year marked by tight fiscal constraints and looming federal cuts to vital programs like Medicaid and food assistance, preserving HWRCs is a critical win. These centers will continue to provide job training, ESL, mental health services, and more, giving thousands of Latinas the tools to support their families and achieve economic independence.

We’re proud of what we accomplished together—and we know the fight for full and permanent funding continues.