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Dear John,
* We have free compostable leaf bags available for neighbors in need! Stop by my District Office at 197 Bond Street during business hours to pick up your bags.
* Last week, the City Council’s Committee on Land Use and Subcommittee on Zoning voted to approve the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal with key modifications ([link removed]) championed by Speaker Adrienne Adams, including a historic $5 billion commitment to affordable housing. The modified proposal will now be reviewed by the City Planning Commission for approval, before returning to the full City Council for a final vote on Thursday, 12/5. Stay tuned for more details on how this proposal could impact our district in an upcoming newsletter!
* As the holiday season approaches and more New Yorkers rely on food pantries ([link removed]) to make ends meet, consider giving back by helping those in need:
+ Stock a local community fridge:
o Kensington Windsor Terrace Community Fridge at 143 East 2nd Street
o One Love Gowanus Fridge at 303 Bond Street
o Gowanus Fridge outside Postmark Cafe on 326 6th Street
+ Volunteer at our office’s food distribution efforts in Kensington. Email Ali, our Kensington Liaison, at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) , and he will follow up with the next steps!
+ Support a local food drive at CHiPS ([link removed]) .

Youth Leadership Council

Our public school curriculum often focuses on the federal government, leaving little room to explore the critical issues and opportunities in shaping our local communities. When I became a Council Member, I made it a priority to change that. It’s essential for young people to not only have a seat at the table but also understand how they can drive meaningful change right in their own neighborhoods. That’s why I’ve focused on creating opportunities for youth to engage in shaping our city’s priorities, from launching district programming to collaborating with schools on youth opportunities within participatory budgeting, and hosting roundtable discussions.

To bring this vision to life, my office created a program specifically designed to engage youth who live and go to school in our district. Over the past few years, we’ve hosted two cohorts of around 10 young people each, giving them an inside look at how local government works and the tools they need to make their voices heard. Earlier this month, we welcomed our third cohort and officially launched the D39 Youth Leadership Council, in partnership with NYC Service ([link removed]) .

This year marks the first time our program is part of NYC Service’s Youth Leadership Network, which connects our young leaders with a citywide network of youth leadership councils. Throughout the program, these young leaders will work alongside my office to plan a participatory action research project, volunteer at office events, and help mobilize residents for participatory budgeting. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome this year’s cohort and support these future changemakers in creating meaningful change across our community!

Advancing Religious Diversity Education in NYC Public Schools

I’m proud to announce that Resolution 95 ([link removed]) , which I introduced, was adopted by the Council earlier this month with an overwhelming 48-0 vote. This resolution calls on the Department of Education (DOE) to implement a religious diversity curriculum for all grade levels, developed in partnership with faith-based organizations, to promote respect and understanding for diverse religious practices. In addition, it urges the DOE to provide anti-bullying training for staff, improve hate-crime reporting, and adopt proactive measures to prevent religious-based bullying and harassment.

This legislation was championed by a broad coalition of 34 nonprofit and advocacy organizations from across our city, representing Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh communities. These advocates understand the urgent need for educational programs that promote tolerance and empathy, especially in light of the disturbing rise in antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate. According to the DOE’s biannual reports on bullying, harassment, and discrimination, religious-based incidents rose from 224 in the 2021-2022 school year to 367 in 2022-2023. A religious diversity curriculum is a crucial step in reversing this trend and reducing these incidents in our schools. Education is key to preventing hate.

As Co-Chair of the Council’s Task Force to Combat Hate, I am committed to addressing the root causes of intolerance through both education and advocacy. The passage of Resolution 95 is an important milestone in our effort to ensure all students attend schools that promote understanding, respect, and empathy. This is how we can build a city where diversity is truly celebrated and where every New Yorker feels safe and valued.

Visiting the Museum of Jewish Heritage

Last month, I had the privilege of joining seniors from Millennium Brooklyn High School on a visit to the Museum of Jewish Heritage, where we witnessed the transformative power of religious diversity education firsthand. During the visit, the students had the unique opportunity to explore exhibits that vividly illustrate the devastating effects of hate speech, prejudice, discrimination, and systemic violence. The experience underscored the critical importance of teaching history and fostering dialogue about religious and cultural differences.

The museum offers invaluable resources—Holocaust survivor testimonies, lesson plans, and interactive workshops for students as young as nine—designed to counter hate and encourage ethical reflection and active citizenship. These tools highlight the role education can play in combating the alarming rise of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate crimes, both in New York City and beyond, helping to build a more compassionate and inclusive future.

Listening and Leading through Student Roundtables

This Fall, the Task Force to Combat Hate hosted two important student roundtables ([link removed]) : one with LGBTQIA-identifying students and another with Asian American and Pacific Islander-identifying students. Both discussions highlighted the importance of restorative justice practices in addressing hate violence within our schools. It’s clear that we must intensify our efforts to dismantle harmful stereotypes that fuel hate and transform these challenging moments into opportunities for genuine learning—preventing future incidents of discrimination and violence.

Students also shared that cultural histories are often marginalized in school curricula and that lessons lack connections to current events. While the Council has worked hard to legislate days off for public schools to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, Eid, and others as official school days off, many students have limited knowledge about these traditions and the reasons behind these important observances.

In response, the Task Force will develop a report based on the findings from these student roundtables. This report will include policy and budgetary recommendations aimed at addressing bias and discrimination in our schools and across our city, ensuring that all students are treated with dignity and respect.

Constituent Services Corner

After being victimized by a hate crime, Sam’s elderly parents had their case dismissed by officers at the scene. Concerned, Sam reached out to my office for assistance. Our staff worked with Sam to gather the necessary evidence to submit it to the precinct, which led the officers to re-open the case and launch a full investigation. Thanks to these efforts, an arrest was made, and the suspect was charged with second-degree assault motivated by bias, officially classified as a hate crime.

We recognize that not everyone decides to call the police after experiencing a hate crime. For many, the decision to report can be difficult, whether due to fears of further trauma, concerns about not being believed, or other reasons. However, accurate reporting—whether to the NYPD or through other channels—is crucial in fully understanding the scope of hate violence in our neighborhoods and ensuring that resources are allocated to prevent future incidents. It also ensures victims can access important assistance programs operated by the government and community-based organizations.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a hate crime, we encourage you to report it to the NYPD. Our office is here to support you through this process and ensure you receive the help and resources you need, no matter how you choose to report the incident.

Community Bulletin
* A major class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of immigrant families whose bond money has been unlawfully withheld by ICE. Families typically pay bond amounts ranging from $1,500 to $20,000 to secure the release of loved ones from immigration detention, and by law, this money should be returned once individuals comply with court proceedings. However, ICE has failed to return an estimated $300 million in bond payments. If you or someone you know has been affected by this, please visit bit.ly/bondreturn to learn more, share your story, or get involved in the campaign.
* As winter approaches, consider donating hats, gloves, scarves, and winter socks for CHiPS’ Thanksgiving Day Giveaway. You can drop off donations at 200 4th Avenue Monday through Saturday, from 9 AM and 2 PM, by Monday, 11/25.
* The Prospect Park Alliance has launched two Requests for Proposals for operations at the LeFrak Center: a Recreational Programming Operator ([link removed]) and a Food & Beverage Operator ([link removed]) . They are also hiring a Director ([link removed]) to lead and oversee the programming, maintenance, and operations of the site.
* If you have Summer EBT benefits, please note that they will begin to expire on Friday, 11/28. Your benefits will expire 122 days after they are issued. To check your balance and expiration date, visit [link removed] ([link removed]) and make sure to use your funds before they expire!

In Solidarity,

Council Member Shahana
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Our mailing address is:
New York City Council Member Shahana Hanif
197 Bond Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
USA
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