Dear Neighbors,
This week my office helped to facilitate another delivery of fresh produce and groceries to vulnerable New Yorkers -- this time to residents in several New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments in our district.
Through the incredible efforts of Michael Stamatis, President of the Red Hook Container Terminal in Brooklyn -- Goya Foods, Chobani, and Del Monte donated a wide range of food products to residents in Wise Towers and Wise Rehab, DeHostos Apartments, Sondra Thomas Apartments, and 120 W. 94th Street.
NYCHA Tenant Association leaders Shatoya Rivers (l) and Venus Pereles (r) made sure that the fresh food found its way from Red Hook to NYCHA residents.
Thanks to the tremendous generosity of the Red Hook Container Terminal and food suppliers, the dedication and follow-through of NYCHA tenant leaders, and my hard-working team which made the initial contacts, hundreds of Upper West Siders will enjoy fresh produce and other groceries this weekend. Thank you to all.
RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The City Council passed legislation yesterday to assist thousands of small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially restaurants and other food service establishments. The five-bill package includes a limit on the fees charged to restaurants by third-party delivery platforms, refunds and/or waivers of certain City fees, and financial protections for commercial tenants. Learn more here.
LEGAL TOOLS FOR TENANTS
Thank you to everyone who joined this week's webinar about Just Fix NYC and how it can assist tenants whose landlords are not making repairs and/or 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 any tenant --including NYCHA residents-- with internet access.
Click here for a step-by-step video about how you can use the JustFix NYC website and sue for apartment repairs/harassment during COVID-19.
NYCHA TOWN HALL
NYCHA residents, please join me for an online Town Hall with NYCHA Chair Greg Russ on Tuesday, May 26th at 3pm. We will discuss COVID-19 safety measures in Upper West Side NYCHA buildings, ongoing repair and maintenance problems, recent crime complaints and more.
You can watch or listen to the May 26th Town Hall by:
- Clicking here (webinar ID: 933 7723 6417); or
- Calling 1-646-558-8656 (Password: 933 7723 6417#)
OPEN STREETS
The City is opening 12 miles of streets to pedestrians today, including West End Avenue between 87th and 96th Streets. This stretch of WEA will be closed daily to traffic between 8am and 8pm, but please be advised that businesses can still make local deliveries and residents can move cars in and out as needed.
Find all Open Street locations here. The City will also be opening 9.2 miles of Protected Bike Lanes throughout May.
The City will resume Alternate Side Parking for the week of May 18th -- 24th for a citywide “clean sweep.” We don’t yet know what that will mean for WEA between 87th and 96th, and will update you as soon as we have that info.
RESOURCES 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 are sending you a wide range of resources and updates that the City is sharing with residents across the five boroughs -- you can find many of these resources and much more on our website.
Pre-K Offers
Mayor de Blasio has announced that Pre-K offers are now out to 61,790 students and their families. Three-quarters of families received an offer to their top choice, while a record 90% of families received an offer to one of their top three choices. Seats are still available–if you have a child born in 2016, visit myschools.nyc or call 718-935-2009.
Test and Trace Corps
The Mayor has named Dr. Neil Vora as Director of Tracing and Dr. Amanda Johnson as Director of Isolation to lead test and trace efforts. Citywide case tracing is ramping up through May. The City has already received 7,000 applications and 535 Contact Tracers are undergoing training. The goal is to have 2,500 Contact Tracers by June. Job descriptions are posted here: Careers.
Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome
The Mayor has provided updates on the new uptick in cases. New York City has 82 cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome detected, with 53 who tested positive for COVID-19 or for antibodies. Sadly, we had one fatality. If your child has symptoms including persistent fever, rash, abdominal pain, and vomiting, call your doctor immediately! We know that treatment is effective if diagnosed early.
Protecting Homeless New Yorkers
The MTA is closing stations nightly from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM for deep cleaning, and NYC Dept of Homeless Services outreach teams are engaging homeless individuals as they leave the trains. Last night, DHS engaged 370 people, and 213 accepted services. This included 178 people who went to shelters, and 33 who were brought to the hospital.
ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS
Are You Having Difficulty With Meal Delivery?
Seniors who signed up through a senior center, or with the City's Dept for the Aging (DFTA), should be receiving meal packages delivered directly to their homes. The meal plan has recently changed to a twice a week delivery system of 9 meals per person.
If you are not receiving your meal deliveries, please contact the senior center where you signed up. Click here for Upper West Side senior center phone numbers, under "Senior Centers". We would also appreciate you alerting our office by leaving a message at (212) 873-0282, x206.
Caring Calls
If you are an older adult and would like to speak regularly with a friendly Upper West Side volunteer, please call DOROT at (212) 769-2850 or email: [email protected].
RESOURCES & UPDATES OF NOTE
- Get Tested in Your Community: Find Community testing sites operated by NYC Health + Hospitals near you: Get Tested in Your Community - Coronavirus
- TLC Driver Resource Center: The TLC has launched a Driver Resource Center, offering a wide range of services to all TLC-licensed drivers and medallion owner-drivers. Among the services available to licensees are legal services, financial counseling, health and mental health referrals, and public benefits application support.
- Remote Learning Device Distribution: Any family needing a device for their child should complete the Remote Learning Device Request. Families can also call 718-935-5100 and choose option 5. DOE has identified approximately 35,000 students with disabilities in religious and independent non-public schools who are eligible to request a device. The City wants feedback and has a Remote Learning Survey available in nine languages.
- Alternate Side Parking (ASP): Suspended through 5/17. The City will resume ASP for the week of May 18 - 24 for a citywide “clean sweep”. ASP will be suspended again for the next two weeks from May 25 - June 7, during which DSNY will reassess cleanliness.
- Grab & Go Meals for All New Yorkers: No one is turned away, and participants are able to pick up three meals. To find a location, click here.
- Kosher Meals: Available at 18 sites.
- Halal Meals: Available at all 400+ sites. The City is adding capacity at 32 DOE sites during the month of Ramadan.
- NYC BOE Absentee Ballot: Registered NYC voters can request an absentee ballot for the June 23 elections: NYC Absentee. Please make your request by June 16.
- Webinars for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19: NYC Small Business Services is hosting webinars on resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 focused on financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and other private organizations; tax, debt, and utilities relief; marketing and employee support; and regulatory changes. Full list of webinars here.
- Paid Sick Leave: Contact the City’s Call Center at 855-491-2667 or 311 to facilitate claiming paid sick leave. Visit NYC Dept of Health & Mental Hygene's Frequently Asked Questions for information on how to obtain the necessary medical documentation.
- Health Insurance Special Enrollment: Extended through 6/15, health insurance enrollment is open for uninsured New Yorkers as part of a Special Enrollment Period: Get Covered
- Extension of Eviction Moratorium: NYS has announced a 60-day extension (through August 20th) of the eviction moratorium for residential and commercial tenants facing COVID-related hardship. Late payment fees are banned during the moratorium; and renters facing hardship due to COVID-19 can use their security deposit to pay rent.
- Job Opportunities:
- NYC Health and Hospitals is hiring for several positions - patient transportation, clerical and cleaning staff. You can apply today at http://nyc.gov/getwork.
- The City is hiring 2,500 people with experience in the healthcare field to be Contact Tracers. Apply here: Careers.
- The City is hiring licensed TLC drivers to deliver food to New Yorkers in need during the COVID-19 crisis. Find more information at NYC Food Delivery Driver Portal.
- Mental Health Resources: Available by calling 1-888-NYC-WELL or texting “WELL” to 65173. Visit: NYC Well – Talk. Text. Chat. 24/7. Additional resources: Mental Health Support New Yorkers Can Access While Staying Home. Members of the veteran community will call other veterans as part of Mission: VetCheck.
- Friendly Visiting Program: The City is connecting older New Yorkers who are feeling isolated with volunteers to talk with over the phone by calling 212-AGING-NYC.
- Family Justice Centers: All borough centers are available by phone. More online: Family Justice Centers or call 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-621-4673.
- Vulnerable New Yorkers who have symptoms or questions about COVID-19 can call 1-844-NYC-4NYC to connect with a medical provider from Health and Hospitals.
AVAILABLE RESOURCES AT A GLANCE
For Everyone:
How to Help:
For Constituents in Need:
Businesses & Nonprofits:
Workers:
Buildings & Residents:
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.
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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