IN JUST 10 MONTHS, CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN AND HIS C.A.R.E.S. VAN DELIVER RELIEF TO CONSTITUENTS IN EVERY SINGLE TOWN AND CITY IN NY-18
In Just 10 Months, Congressman Ryan and His C.A.R.E.S Van Deliver Relief to Constituents in Every Single Town and City in NY-18
Ryan celebrates completion of inaugural C.A.R.E.S Van district tour with stops in Ulster, Dutchess, and Orange Counties
Since launching the C.A.R.E.S Van last June, Ryan’s office has held events in all 82 municipalities in NY-18, helping thousands of constituents along the way
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Today, Congressman Pat Ryan celebrated the completion of his Constituent Advocacy Resources Empowerment Services (C.A.R.E.S.) Van’s inaugural district tour, helping constituents in every one of NY-18’s 82 municipalities. Ryan marked the completion of the district tour today by driving the Van to stops in all three NY-18 counties, with events in New Paltz, Poughkeepsie and Newburgh. The C.A.R.E.S Van, which Ryan launched in June 2023, is staffed by highly-trained caseworkers from the Congressman’s team who provide direct assistance to constituents across NY-18 – ensuring people can access everything from help with passports, to Social Security benefits, to navigating the VA, right in their own community.
“Hudson Valley families are feeling the pressure of making ends meet and the stress of taking care of loved ones. I launched the C.A.R.E.S Van to help ease that pressure and provide direct relief to folks, right in their own neighborhood,” said Congressman Ryan. “In just 10 months, we’ve held events in all 82 towns and cities across the district, delivering relief to over a thousand of our neighbors, from seniors in Poughkeepsie to veterans in Ulster and everywhere in between. But we’re only just getting started. If you missed us on our first district tour, don’t worry, we’re coming back for round two!”
“I met with Congressman Ryan’s representative of Military and Veterans Affairs locally at one of his C.A.R.E.S.. Van events,” said Robert Dorris, Rosendale Library event attendee. “His explanation of how I should proceed in gaining additional disability benefits was straightforward and accurate. He said he'd follow up and make sure my paperwork didn't get mired in "red tape". His help resulted in me getting the additional benefits that were applied for and in a short period of time. Very glad to have that kind of support from Congressman Ryan’s office!”
“I had the honor of working with Pat Ryan’s team near my hometown and after five years of applying and reapplying for disability benefits, I was finally able to get them and the backpay that I was owed,” said Candace Christopher, New Paltz C.A.R.E.S. Van visit attendee and NY-18 constituent. “Thank you so much for all of your help and care for the average American.”
The C.A.R.E.S. Van’s first NY-18 district tour took only 10 months to make 89 visits to the 82 municipalities in NY-18. Over the course of the tour, Congressman Ryan’s caseworkers assisted nearly 1,500 constituents, with the largest event recorded helping over 150 constituents.
The C.A.R.E.S. Van has been an integral piece of Congressman Ryan’s prioritization of delivering relief to Hudson Valley families, helping his caseworkers reach constituents right where they are at. Ryan’s office has returned $23,914,056,56 in casework assistance to NY-18 constituents since the beginning of his term in January 2023.
The Van traveled over 3,341 miles and became a staple at community events, including the Cornwall, Goshen, and Newburgh farmers markets, the Ellenville Blueberry Festival, multiple Dutchess County Senior Picnics, and Ulster County Human Services’ “Trunk-or-Treat.” Visits have also included Hudson Valley landmarks, including the Walkway over the Hudson, Stitzel Fields, the Dutchess County fairgrounds and Poughkeepsie waterfront market. In its first district tour, the C.A.R.E.S. Van visited 47 town halls, 9 senior centers, and 6 libraries.
In November, the C.A.R.E.S. Van was utilized to bring assistance from the Social Security Administration back to Ulster County for a one-day senior resource fair organized by Congressman Ryan’s Office. The Van also made multiple stops at veterans service organizations in every county of NY-18 during Congressman Ryan’s Veterans Week of Action, for events that delivered specialized assistance directly to Hudson Valley veterans and honored their service.
Congressman Ryan mobilized the C.A.R.E.S. Van to assemble a coalition of community partners to deliver flood recovery resources during on-site events in communities impacted by last July’s devastating flooding.
The C.A.R.E.S. Van has also been used by Congressman Ryan to partner with other offices and organizations, such as the New York State Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds, the Orange County mobile DMV and the office of State Senator Michelle Hinchey, for specialty events.
The C.A.R.E.S. Van helped in the administration of Congressman Ryan’s successful series of Central Hudson workshops that connected Central Hudson customers directly with assistance from company representatives throughout 2023.
Congressman Ryan’s C.A.R.E.S. Van assists constituents of NY-18 in accessing earned benefits, such as Veterans’ Affairs benefits and Social Security, federal grant funding, passports and visas, immigration and naturalization services, and resolving issues with federal agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service.
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