Dear Neighbors,
Today I was thrilled to help facilitate a delivery of fresh fruit and vegetables to domestic violence shelters across New York City. Through contacts in our office, Bronx-based produce distributor E Armata made an enormous donation of 1,300+ produce assortments to the Urban Resource Institute, which shelters hundreds of domestic violence survivors and their families every night.
Thanks to the tremendous generosity of E Armata, the dedication and follow-through of URI, and my hard-working team, hundreds of families will enjoy fresh produce this Mother's Day weekend. Thank you to all.
I am also pleased to announce that I have been named to the Mayor's Office to End Domestic & Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) COVID-19 Response Work Group.
I will be helping to set the agenda for ENDGBV's new working group, and I look forward to making domestic violence victims and survivors an ongoing priority for our city. Last week, I co-chaired a City Council oversight hearing about the impact of COVID-19 on domestic violence in New York. Watch the hearing here.
Our hearing uncovered three critical facts. First, the NYPD’s statistics do not tell the whole story about domestic violence during the pandemic. While the number of DV-related arrests and police reports is down, the number of DV radio runs (responses to 911 calls) is up. This means that New Yorkers are calling for help because of DV, but when the NYPD arrives, no arrest is taking place. This troubling reality is likely caused by several factors, including that survivors understandably become intimidated.
Our hearing also made clear that there is a desperate need for a robust citywide outreach campaign about available DV resources, as well as more support for community-based service providers. Some cities and countries have seen a 30 percent spike or more in DV reports after COVID restrictions have been loosened. New York City should prepare for the same surge in reports as NYS PAUSE restrictions begin to lift.
ASSISTANCE FOR UPPER WEST SIDERS
My office is working with seniors, the disabled, the recently un (or under) employed, the food insecure, people with housing issues, and all those suffering the many consequences of this pandemic, to help in any way we can.
There are 3 ways to reach my office for assistance: please call (212) 873-0282, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible; email [email protected]; or check our website, HelenRosenthal.com.
We update our website on a daily basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders need to get through this crisis. This week we have added new resources for small businesses, people with disabilities, and those experiencing mental health stress. I encourage you to take a look.
NEWS FOR TENANTS
JustFix NYC Webinar This Tuesday (5/12)
Together with JustFix NYC, I am sponsoring a webinar this Tuesday, May 12th at 5pm to assist tenants whose landlords are not making repairs or may be cutting off essential services.
JustFix.nyc is an extremely useful on-line tool that can help you start a legal case to obtain needed repairs and services-- with the assistance of an attorney. Housing court is closed but JustFix NYC is available 24/7 for anyone with internet access.
This Tuesday, we will walk tenants through how to use the JustFix NYC website and sue for apartment repairs/harassment during COVID-19. Please register in advance and include your questions here.
Eviction Moratorium Extended
Please be advised that Governor Cuomo has extended the state moratorium on evictions for residential and commercial tenants through August 20th. The Governor also announced additional measures for tenants, including banning late payment fees and allowing the use of security deposits to pay rent.
MTA NIGHTLY SHUTDOWN
As you know, the MTA has begun shutting the New York City subway system down nightly --between 1am and 5am-- to clean and disinfect subways cars and stations. Learn more here. If you are an essential worker who must commute during these hours, please let us know how the shutdown is impacting your commute. You can email us at [email protected].
SENIORS MEAL DELIVERIES: Are You Having Problems?
Today, WNYC's Brian Lehrer show aired a segment about the City's meal delivery program for seniors. Brian specifically mentioned our district and the fact that hundreds of our seniors are either still not receiving the weekly deliveries for which they signed up, or they are receiving sporadic deliveries.
Seniors who signed up through a senior center, or with the City's Dept for the Aging (DFTA), should be receiving a 5-meal package once per week, delivered directly to their homes.
We have been able to assist a significant number of seniors who were having difficulty in obtaining their meal deliveries. If you are having problems, please call my office and leave a message at (212) 873-0282, x206.
THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS!
THANK YOU to all the Upper West Siders who signed up through our office to volunteer with DOROT's Caring Calls to Seniors program. The program has made 400 matches, many of whom now meet virtually once or twice a week!
Caring Calls is resonating with both older adults and volunteers. We are fortunate to have many volunteers. If you are an older adult and would like to participate, please call DOROT at (212) 769-2850 or email: [email protected].
From a volunteer: "Thanks for this amazing program......I’ve really been enjoying it! Times are still very isolating at the moment and I think we would both benefit from the calls."
From an older adult: "I got such a nice call yesterday from a woman named Chris.....We had such a nice conversation and Chris said she'll call me back in a few days. I'm really looking forward to it - this is such a meaningful way to stay connected to the outside world at a time when we're all by ourselves."
Stay Tuned -- older adults are being invited to volunteer remotely (via phone & zoom) in DOROT's intergenerational program with teens. More details to come!
RAMADAN FOOD DRIVE
Muslim Volunteers for New York (MV4NY) has begun it’s 5th Annual Ramadan Food Drive, which will assist the New York Common Pantry, West Side Campaign Against Hunger and Citymeals on Wheels.
These incredible providers are working on the frontlines to serve our city’s most vulnerable and food insecure families and homebound seniors, while experiencing escalating demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consider donating to MV4NY's food drive using this link.
CALLING ALL ARTISTS
Arts organization, The Shed, has issued an Open Call to artists working in a wide range of disciplines to apply for project funding. NYC-based artists who have not yet received major support are prioritized. The Shed will support projects with a commissioning fee of up to $15,000 per artist or collective.
Eligible disciplines include the visual arts, theater, dance, music, performance, spoken word, literary arts, film, fashion, art and technology, social practice, and new media. Cross-disciplinary projects also accepted. APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 31st. Participants will be selected in summer 2020. Learn more here.
2020 CENSUS: NYC NEEDS YOU
It is absolutely essential --for fair representation in government, equitable public funding, and much more-- that all New Yorkers participate in the 2020 Census. Every household has the option of responding online, by phone, or by mail. Learn more here.
MEMORIAL FOR US ALL
Lincoln Center has launched a weekly memorial concert for the thousands of New Yorkers lost to the pandemic. Memorial for Us All is a secular community remembrance, welcoming all to celebrate the lives of those who have left us too soon. Community members are invited to submit the names of a neighbor, friend, or loved one to honor at this website.
Memorial for Us All's first concert featured Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra. Memorial for Us All is co-sponsored by NY Disaster Interfaith Services, Interfaith Center of NY, Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, Center for Faith & Community Partnerships at NYC Office of the Mayor, NY Board of Rabbis, Union Theological Seminary in the City of NY, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
As always, please stay home to every extent possible for the safety of everyone. You can review NYC Dept of Health guidelines here.
Please stay well and share some kindness with yourself and the people around you.
Warmly,
P.S. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, or have them subscribe to my e-blasts here. Also, follow my social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram.
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