Latina advocacy group SEPA Mujer lands $175,000 state grant for Patchogue expansion
SEPA Mujer chief executive Martha Maffei at the grant announcement Thursday. The funding will help expand and renovate the organization's Patchogue office. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Plans to expand the Patchogue headquarters of a nonprofit that serves Latinas and crime victims received a boost Wednesday with the announcement of a $175,000 state grant for the project.
SEPA Mujer, which provides legal advocacy, leadership development, victim support and a 24-hour hotline for more than 3,500 people annually, plans to start construction later this fall or this winter on the expansion at its offices on North Ocean Avenue in the village.
The planned improvements to SEPA Mujer's 5,000-square-foot building include new intake and counseling offices to improve privacy for clients and staff, high-efficiency windows and new heating and cooling systems, chief executive Martha Maffei told reporters at a news conference Wednesday morning.
Plans also call for improved bathrooms and break rooms, a new facade and repairs to the headquarters' back stairs and foundation, she said.
“This upgrade will not only ensure the safety and longevity of our building, but will also create a welcoming and professional appearance, one that reflects the pride we share with other beautiful properties here in Patchogue,” Maffei said.
Funding will come from the state Dormitory Authority, she said.
SEPA Mujer — a Spanish contraction for Servicios Para el Avance de Mujer, or Services for the Advancement of Women — moved into the building four years ago.
Founded in 1993, SEPA Mujer provides services such as English classes, computer training, individual and group counseling, food assistance, art therapy and transitional housing.
Deputy Assembly Speaker Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood) called the nonprofit “a lifeline for immigrant women, survivors of crime and families across Long Island for the past 30 years."
“This funding is more than just numbers on a budget," he added. "It represents opportunity, it represents safety and dignity. ... SEPA Mujer is a safe haven, a beacon of hope for those who are suffering some of life’s most difficult challenges.”
Maffei noted that the energy improvements will cut costs, making more funds available to assist clients.
“We call it home — nuestra casa," she said. "It has been a home for our staff, but most importantly, it is a home for our clients, a place where they can find relief, hope and a community that uplifts them.”
Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.
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