The Westchester Children’s Association (WCA) announced that it will expand its Court Watcher Program to Peekskill City Court this spring, strengthening efforts to better understand and address the growing challenges facing families at risk of eviction in Northern Westchester.
Launched in 2024, WCA’s Court Watcher Program engages trained community volunteers to observe eviction proceedings and document trends affecting tenants and families across the county. The program currently has active volunteers observing cases in Greenburgh, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Ossining, and Yonkers. The expansion to Peekskill marks an important next step in building a countywide understanding of housing instability and its impact on children and families.
Observations Support Advocacy
The initiative reflects WCA’s commitment to using data and firsthand observation to inform advocacy that protects children and families across Westchester County. Through the Court Watcher Program, volunteers observe housing court proceedings, identify systemic challenges, and help illuminate barriers families encounter while navigating eviction cases.
“Stable housing is foundational to a child’s health, safety, and ability to succeed in school and life,” said Adam Rabinovitch Executive Director of Westchester Children’s Association. “By expanding our Court Watcher Program to Peekskill, we are deepening our understanding of what families are experiencing in real time and ensuring that their challenges inform policy solutions.”
Peekskill and surrounding communities have experienced increasing housing pressures, with many families facing rising rents, economic instability, and limited affordable housing options. Eviction proceedings often move quickly and can have long-lasting consequences for children, including school disruption, stress, and increased risk of homelessness.
The Court Watcher Program is designed to:
- Provide greater transparency into local eviction proceedings
- Identify trends and gaps in support for families
- Inform data-driven policy recommendations
- Elevate community awareness around housing instability
Seeking Volunteers
WCA is actively recruiting volunteers from Peekskill and surrounding communities to participate in the program. Volunteers receive training and support and play a critical role in helping the organization understand the local landscape for tenants navigating eviction.
“This is not about observing individuals,” added Rabinovitch. “It’s about understanding systems. Our goal is to ensure that children and families have fair access to information, representation, and the resources they need to remain stably housed.”
Insights gathered through the program will complement WCA’s broader housing and poverty research, including its Poverty Pulse Dashboard, which tracks real-time indicators of need across Westchester County.
Community members interested in volunteering or learning more about the Court Watcher Program in Peekskill are encouraged to contact Gabriela Nanna at gnanna@wca4kids.org.
About Westchester Children’s Association: Westchester Children’s Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Westchester’s young people by shaping policies and programs to meet their needs, and by keeping the county’s decision-makers and the public informed about the issues affecting youth.
