State and local officials joined community members on Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of Cyclone Bagels, a new bagel shop in Coney Island that provides employment opportunities to veterans who have experienced homelessness.
The shop, located at 2028 Surf Ave., is on the ground floor of Surf Vets Place, a 135-unit residential building offering supportive housing for veterans and low-income families, according to a press release.
Cyclone Bagels offers veterans job training in food preparation, health and safety and financial management. Priority hiring is given to residents of Surf Vets Place, which opened in 2019. The building currently houses 82 veterans, with units specifically designed for individuals with disabilities, including those with hearing and visual impairments, according to the press release.
“It is a great honor to provide housing and workforce development opportunities to the men and women who served our country and protected our freedoms,” said Ralph Fasano, executive director of Concern for Independent Living, which operates Surf Vets Place. “Cyclone Bagels and Surf Vets Place represent the solution to getting our veterans out of shelters and into the high-quality housing they deserve.”
NYC Veterans' Services Commissioner James Hendon stressed that veterans who have served should not face homelessness or health challenges, and praised Cyclone Bagels and Surf Vets Place for supporting vulnerable veterans.
“In the greatest city on earth, no veteran who has sacrificed to protect our freedoms should experience unmet health challenges and homelessness after their service,” said James Hendon, commissioner of NYC Department of Veterans’ Services. “I am proud that our partnership with Concern for Independent Living, which has made Cyclone Bagels and Surf Vets Place prime examples of how housing and workforce development can come together to uplift some of our most vulnerable neighbors.”
It is critical to have supportive housing, social services and workforce development available for veterans, said State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton.
“This project is giving back to those who gave our country so much,” she said.
