Officials, politicians and nonprofits from both sides of the Hudson Valley gathered at the Nyack Seaport to discuss financial assistance available to low-income families.

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP, is federally funded and given out in New York state. For those who qualify, LIHWAP can help provide upward of $25,000 toward an eligible family's water and sewer bills.

"We want everybody to know that this money still exists out there. We don't want anybody left behind,” says Rockland Department of Social Services Commissioner Joan Silvestri.

Officials say there have been about 2,000 total applicants from both Westchester and Rockland counties since the program began in 2021. So far, Veolia customers have used $2.5 million in LIHWAP money to help pay their water bills.

Haverstraw resident Yudelca Fondeur was grateful for being able to get that financial relief after a car accident left her disabled.

"Thank you to everyone who helped me with this situation,” she says.

The Mario M. Cuomo bridge was lit up in gold Thursday night to symbolize the program.