View this email in your browser

Dear John 

Please note! We are in the formal “communications blackout” period, less than 90 days from the November general election. To comply with election law, we are restricted with what we can discuss in mass communications until election day. We will continue to send out a weekly newsletter to keep our community updated, but bear with us as we pare down and change content to comply with election law. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

• Curbside composting is coming to Brooklyn on 10/2! Compost will be picked up on your recycling day, so check your collection schedule here.

  • Get a free DSNY brown bin! Order one for free here by 10/13, and be sure to request one by 9/1 for guaranteed delivery before the start of service.

• Our office is excited to host our annual Fun Run on 10/28! This family day brings our diverse communities together to support the hardworking PTA across Brooklyn schools. More information will be shared soon. Sign up now or join the Host Committee to help raise money and register your school community! 

Intern Highlight

Our office was proud to host another cohort of amazing interns this summer! For the second year in a row, we onboarded incredible high school and college students to assist our office for six weeks. From helping on constituent cases to touring City Hall with our team, we worked hard to ensure that all of our interns got the full City Council experience this summer! Our summer internship program is fully paid through partnerships with organizations across the City, offering students a real employment and development opportunity with our office. I’m deeply proud of all the growth and hard work I saw from our interns this summer, but don’t take my word for it - here’s what some of them had to say!

Rebecca 

“I had a fabulous time working with the D39 team for the past few weeks! This was an incredibly educational, interesting, and substantive internship. I had so much fun soaking up knowledge about government and civil service from those around me, and also loved interacting with the community and helping out at events.”

Eugenia

“Being a summer intern for District 39 was such a great honor! When I came in for my first day at the office, I was shy and anxious, but after six weeks, I feel inspired to continue this amazing work. Attending the Council stated meeting and hearing more about issues everyday New Yorkers face was really interesting. Overall, my internship was a great experience.”

Savannah 

"My time in the office has been short but well-lived! Learning about city government and the influence Council Member offices have on people’s lives has been noteworthy. I look forward to continuing my professional interest in city government and reflecting on the great experiences I’ve had at hearings and at the D39 district office!"

Our summer interns on their last day!

While we won’t have another intern cohort until next summer, I’m proud to announce the application for our Office’s Youth Fellowship is now live! Our fellowship seeks to provide an opportunity for students ages 14-18 who live or go to school in District 39 to contribute and participate in local government. Fellows volunteer for seven hours a month on different projects with our staff and have the chance to learn about government through a monthly speaker-series. See more information on our application due on Wednesday, September 20th and share with interested youth! 

Community Bulletin 

• Are you struggling to communicate with a loved one who has dementia? Join Heights and Hills for a free Zoom webinar on Tuesday, 8/29, 7-8 PM to learn how each key stage of dementia impacts communication. Register here. 

• Are you interested in becoming an even better steward of our City’s green spaces? Join the Parks Department’s Advanced Stewardship webinar on 8/31 to learn how! Register here for more information.

• Join Danielle Medina, creator of Fit N Play Mama, for a playful Dinosaur Yoga-themed journey. In this special class, we will send you back in time and have you moving and stretching your body in all kinds of dinosaur ways. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate alongside their children and create meaningful memories while learning fun facts. Classes are on 9/16, 9/23, and 9/30.

• Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Brooklyn Children’s Museum with ¡Corre, Abuelita, Run! On 9/30, a brand new production by New York City Children’s Theater, with showings at 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM.

• The Van Alen Institute will be hosting its 3rd Annual Block Party on 9/30! Since launching in 2021, this Block Party has evolved into an annual event that fosters a sense of community across Gowanus by showcasing local vendors, artists, musicians, and community-based organizations. Check out the sizzle reel from last year’s party and I hope to see you at this year’s!

• The Civic Engagement Commission is entering its second cycle of New York City's Citywide Participatory Budgeting starting in October!  To support idea generation, the CEC is looking for community groups, schools, and nonprofits to partner on hosting idea generation workshops for neighbors. These are paid opportunities! Please see the Application Link and read about the partnership levels, deliverables, and requirements. 

• Applications for Brooklyn Arts Council's 2024 grants cycle are NOW OPEN! Check out BAC’s website for grant guidelines, applications, and info sessions. All applications are due Sunday, 10/8. 

• Community Education Council (CEC) 22 is hiring a permanent Administrative Assistant. Read more about the job and learn how to apply here. 

• As the Jewish High Holy days draw nearer, we’re delighted to uplift some of the liturgical materials made available by the Jewish Braille Institute. This amazing organization works to translate Jewish texts and literature from Jewish authors into braille to improve accessibility. Check them out!

In Solidarity, 

Shahana