Protect NYC’s Libraries

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Dear John,
* We’ve started our Ramadan reflection series! You can follow along on Instagram: @ShahanaFromBK ([link removed]) .

* We are still unable to offer in-person appointments with extremely limited exceptions. If you need help, call us at (718) 499-1090 or send us an email at [email protected].

Another Season of Participatory Budgeting!

Hey all! I’m Hannah, and I manage Participatory Budgeting (PB) in Council Member Hanif’s office. For the past year, with meetings in local cafes, neighborhood assemblies, and workshops in schools, we collected over 200 ideas from our District 39 neighbors for PB! Many thanks to our PB volunteers who helped us reach every neighborhood! We are proud to lead this local initiative that connects our neighbors to one another on issues they most care about, while also giving our community an opportunity to have a proactive say on how $1.5 million of our office’s budget is spent.

Save the Date: PB Vote Week is 4/6 - 4/14

This year’s PB vote week kicks off on April 6th and will wrap up on April 14th. Everyone ages 11 and up is eligible to vote on the projects, regardless of citizenship or voter registration status. Council Member Hanif and I, along with members of our team and our PB volunteers will be around the district with paper ballots at community poll sites to ensure your voice is heard. You’ll also be able to vote online! While we’re not ready to share a sneak peak of this year’s projects, here are some of our favorite past PB projects:

👣 Repavement of PS 130 Schoolyard

🔥 A/C for Sweltering PS 230 Cafeteria

🚌 Real Time Bus Arrival Info near Subway Stops

🐸 Bring Water to Thomas Cuite Park (Froggy Park)

🦕 New "Lake Mess Monster" an Aquatic Weed Harvester

Volunteer During PB Vote Week

Not only do we need you to vote, we also need you to volunteer for a shift at one or more of our polling sites to reach as many neighbors as possible! Polling sites include the Old Stone House, Powerhouse Arts, Kensington Plaza, and the Windsor Terrace Library. You can also propose to host your own polling site, just let us know. Check out our schedule and sign up here. ([link removed]) If you have any questions before committing, reach out to me at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

I’ll end with words from Beth, a PB super volunteer: My hope for this year is that we’ll collect more PB votes in our district than ever before. We have the power to positively impact our community, and YOU can contribute to that success. Join us by casting your votes, volunteering at a poll site (or several!), and spreading the word about PB to your friends, family, and neighbors through District 39.

Participatory Budgeting in Action

Cuts to Library Services, Again

Council Member Hanif now! Mayor Adams’ budget cuts have forced most libraries to eliminate Sunday services. The proposed FY25 budget threatens to cut our library services even more drastically, and the Brooklyn Public Library in particular, faces a staggering $16.2 million cut, equating to 13% of their operating budget. This means, our libraries may be forced to reduce their services to just five days a week.

Libraries are essential to our public safety infrastructure. Growing up in Kensington, I was privileged to have the Windsor Terrace and Borough Park branches within walking distance. My sister Sabia and I read tons of science fiction books, loaned movies, made friends, did our homework, and so much more. This is the story of many New Yorkers.

As one of the only safe and democratic institutions in our city, these cuts are a threat to our democracy. From adult literacy classes for newly arrived asylum seekers to the books unbanned program for teens and young adults, our city’s libraries have demonstrated care and compassion for all. I showed up last week ([link removed]) to show my support for libraries and will continue to advocate for a full restoration and an enhancement in funding. Join me ([link removed]) !

Community Bulletin
* Prospect Park Alliance is hosting a few events: – Holi + Dhulati Festival on Sunday, March 24 from 1-4 pm at the Carousel Lawn ([link removed]) & Interfaith Celebration of Ramadan, Passover, and Easter on Thursday, March 28 from 6 - 8:30 PM at the Prospect Park Boathouse ([link removed]) .
* Do you love biking and want to start a bike club? Ride Leader Academy applications ([link removed]) are now open through 4/7 and will provide you with the training and skills to become a local ride leader in your community. Learn safety protocols, how to pick routes, how to manage a group of cyclists, and more.
* South Brooklyn Sanctuary is offering free legal help for TPS applications and Work Authorization permits. Sign up for their resources in Arabic ([link removed]) , French ([link removed]) , and Spanish ([link removed]) .
* Join a hands-on Zine 101 workshop for Adults & Teens at Interference Archive ([link removed](EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_6_10_2022_17_4_COPY_01)&mc_cid=93de30db31&mc_eid=6253d95b87) on 3/26.
* Don’t wait until 4/15 to file your taxes! NYC Free Tax Prep offers a variety of free tax prep options, including in-person, virtual, and drop-off options. For more information, contact 311 or visit nyc.gov/TaxPrep.
* North Star Fund ([link removed]) is inviting new groups to apply for grants to support grassroots organizing in NYC and the Hudson Valley. Learn more and apply by 3/29. ([link removed])
* Scholarship opportunities for One World Project’s preschool, afterschool, and camp programs are open! If your household has a combined yearly income of $150,000 or less consider applying, by submitting your tax returns to [email protected] along with your online application ([link removed]) .
* The Climate Reality Project NYC Metro Chapter is hosting a leadership training free of charge – sign up here ([link removed]) .
* Brooklyn Bridge Parents is hosting day trips to Governors Island this spring - find details here ([link removed]) as well as hosting Purim celebrations for kids – details here ([link removed]) .
* Community Education Council District 15 (CEC15) has a vacant seat and is accepting applications ([link removed]) !
* Representative Dan Goldman (NY-10) is hosting a virtual roundtable on abortion access next Tuesday 3/19 – register here ([link removed]) .

In Solidarity,

Shahana
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