About Us – Health & Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI)

About Us

Our Mission

Established in 1947, the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI) is a regional nonprofit umbrella organization representing health and human service providers across Long Island. For nearly eight decades, we have worked to improve the lives of Long Island’s most vulnerable residents by advancing effective public policies and delivering high-impact direct services.

We fulfill our mission through a strategic three-pronged approach:

Policy & Advocacy: We collaborate with local, state, and federal government entities to advocate for equitable and impactful policies that strengthen communities, expand access to essential services, and improve quality of life across Long Island.
Coalitions and Grass-Roots Organizing: We convene nonprofits, business leaders, advocates, and policymakers to align expertise, elevate community voices, and craft collaborative solutions to our region’s most pressing challenges.
Direct Services: Through targeted programs, we connect Long Islanders to critical resources that promote health, stability, and self-sufficiency, helping individuals and families move beyond survival toward long-term success.

Our Approach

HWCLI operates direct-service programs focused on nutritional security, access to affordable quality healthcare, and economic stability. Together with our network of nonprofit partners, we provide a vital safety net for Long Island residents.

Simultaneously, we advocate at the local, state, and federal levels for policies that prioritize the needs of Long Islanders and strengthen the systems that serve them. We believe that lasting change requires both immediate support and long-term systemic reform.

Central to our work is our role as a convener and connector. We unite nonprofit organizations, community stakeholders, and public leaders to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and amplify collective impact. By creating space for open dialogue, coordinated action, and grassroots engagement, we strengthen the nonprofit sector and ensure that community voices drive meaningful, sustainable change.

Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient Long Island, where every resident has the opportunity to thrive.

HWCLI Serves Long Islanders By:

Educating and Enrolling eligible individuals and families in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Providing free assistance enrolling children and adults in coverage through the New York State Health Insurance Marketplace.
Providing Community Health Advocacy to residents navigating the healthcare system
Leading Long Island’s disaster planning and preparedness efforts through Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (LIVOAD)

Connecting children to free or reduced-price school meals and summer meal programs.
Assisting seniors and individuals living with disabilities in applying for and renewing health insurance programs, ensuring vulnerable Long Islanders maintain critical health coverage without interruption.
Connecting expectant and new parents to health coverage, community-based resources, and supportive services that promote healthy pregnancies and postpartum care

Our Values

Gratitude is at the heart of HWCLI’s core values. It is our greatest honor to serve our clients with the highest level of customer service, respect, and compassion, and we are continually humbled by the trust they place in us during some of life’s most challenging moments. We are deeply thankful for our community partners, supporters, funders, and volunteers whose collaboration and commitment make our work possible. Together, we develop innovative solutions that address Long Island’s existing and emerging needs. We remain committed to stewarding our resources thoughtfully, advocating boldly, and working tirelessly to help build a more equitable and inclusive future for all on Long Island.