Draft:Sarah Batchu

Sarah L. Batchu Sarah is a public servant, nonprofit leader, and advocate for healthcare and housing in New York City. She is running for the New York City Council in June 2025.

Early Life Sarah is the daughter of two physicians with a strong dedication to community service, and from a young age understood that "service was not just a value but a way of life."

Education Batchu attended Barnard College, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. During her time at Barnard College, Batchu became interested in local politics, especially in response to the campus sexual assault movement. As a survivor herself, Batchu became an advocate for initiatives aimed at improving safety and support systems for all New Yorkers. Later, she received a Master's in Public Health in Sociomedical Sciences from Columbia University in 2022.

Early Career Batchu launched her public service career at City Hall in New York City, tackling challenges like the declining public housing infrastructure and the city's approach to the COVID-19 crisis. Her initiatives resulted in notable accomplishments, including raising $1.5 million to create innovative public programs for women, immigrants, and people with disabilities; pushing for reforms that improved access to safe and affordable housing for those formerly involved in the justice system; developing and overseeing Get Help NYC, a crucial online platform during the pandemic; collaborating with public housing residents to ensure their rights and involve them in renovations; and securing $7.2 million in rental assistance for tenants facing financial hardships due to COVID-19.

Community Involvement Following her time at City Hall, Batchu took on the role of Chief of Staff at the Lower Eastside Girls Club. In this position, she was instrumental in launching the Center for Wellbeing & Happiness, a community space designed to promote self-care and foster support among different generations, in 2022. As the Interim Director, she spearheaded the planning of the programs. The initiative saw high participation, with class enrollments reaching 80-100% capacity during the first six months. Under her leadership, nearly 1,000 community members were recruited and registered to participate in the center's free wellness programming. Her contributions were vital to the center's expansion and its meaningful impact within the community.

In 2022, Sarah was appointed to Manhattan Community Board 3, which covers the Lower East Side and part of Chinatown. In 2023, she was elected First Vice Chair of Community Board 3, and Batchu also currently serves as the chair of the Cannabis Control Task Force, where she oversees community input on proposed licenses for dispensaries in the Community Board 3 area.

City Council Candidacy In December 2023, Sarah Batchu announced her candidacy for the New York City Council, representing District 2, which includes the East Village, Union Square, Gramercy, Kips Bay, Murray Hill, part of the Lower East Side, and, following recent redistricting, Greenwich Village to Sixth Avenue. The primary election is scheduled for June 24, 2025, with early voting taking place from June 14 to June 22, 2025.

Over the past seven years, she has lived in various sections of District 2, including Greenwich Village, Kips Bay/Gramercy, and the East Village, which informs her understanding of the diverse needs of her constituents.

Her campaign is focused on increasing access to healthcare, ensuring stable housing, and building resilient communities. She is currently endorsed by Sabura Rashid, a local playwright, theater director, and NYCHA Tenant Association President of LES III on East 9th Street.