State leaders from across the region are pushing for long-term funding that's critical to a Syracuse facility.

The Syracuse Community Health Care Center receives millions of dollars in federal grant money each year.

Sen. Charles Schumer was alongside Community Health Center leaders to press the issue Monday.

The funding expired on September 30 and was extended through March.

But staff members say the uncertainty and lack of long-term funding has made things difficult.

When a position becomes vacant, they cannot fill the position.

"There's a lot of people out there that need it. There's a lot of younger people, there's kids, mothers, sistersm daughters a lot of us like us that need this funding for this place,” said SCHC patient John Totari.

Officials say the center treats more than 30,000 patients every year.