BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Not-for-profit groups that provide care to people with developmental disabilities hit the streets Friday with a message for Albany. They support the minimum wage hike, but are worried about paying their workers. Friday they kicked off the “bfair2directcare” campaign.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has proposed gradually raising the minimum wage in New York State to $15 by the year 2021.

Non-profits aren’t just rallying here in Bufallo, but all over the Empire State and they have one message. Advocates for people with developmental disabilities stand with the governor. but they want the governor to stand with them.

The “bfair2directcare” campaign is calling on state leaders to include funding in the state budget to allow them to provide raises for direct care workers. Organizers said without additional funds, workers and services could be cut for New Yorkers with disabilities.

Several supporters, including state officials, rallied at the non-profit agency, People Inc. to make their voices heard. “Bfair2directcare” is the voice of nearly 130,000 New Yorkers and some have said they’re out in cold as the push for an increase in minimum wage continues.

“We feel very left out, and that you know, we don’t have a way to gain that money, it has to be through our contracts with New York state, and not to diminish anything that has to do with fast food workers do, but our workers do so much more than the minimum, they are the lifeline for people, they help people get dressed, bathed, eat, help them find jobs, transportation, there’s a million things they do. They are a lifeline for individuals and their families,” said Rhonda Fredrick, President of Developmental Disability Alliance of Western New York.

Assemblyman Ray Walters attended Friday’s rally and said direct care workers do some of the most incredible work. He says he’ll take their fight to Albany.