Dear Neighbors,
One of the most critical challenges we face is how to safely re-open our schools. The Dept of Education is in dialogue with families and students across the city, and will be hosting virtual information sessions about re-opening throughout the summer. The first session is tonight, Thursday, July 16, from 6:30-7:30 PM.
This is a great opportunity for families to hear directly from the Chancellor. Families and students can register for tonight's session here. Parents can also select their preferred language (English, Spanish or Chinese) and submit a question. Learn more about the DOE's re-opening plans here.
You can also watch my July 9th Education Town Hall with NYC Dept of Education Deputy Chancellor Adrienne Austin and other DOE officials. We had an incredible turnout with well over 500 participants and the DOE presented several potential re-open models for our schools. See the DOE’s presentation here.
Also of interest, the DOE recently surveyed families across the city regarding their concerns and priorities for re-opening. See the survey results here.
Emergency Rental Assistance: 2 Week Application Window Has Opened
New York State has begun accepting applications for its Covid Rent Relief Program. The program provides up to four months of rental assistance for eligible households who have lost income due to the pandemic.
- Provides eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance.
- The State will prioritize eligible households with “greatest economic and social need” accounting for income, rent burden, percent of income lost, and risk of homelessness -- NOT first come, first served.
- Applicants must have already been paying over 30 percent of their gross (pre-tax) household income toward rent as of March, and then must have lost income during the period of April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020.
To learn more and apply, click here. Please apply as soon as possible. Applications are being accepted for a two-week period only.
Addressing Street Homelessness
I have heard from many of you about homeless persons living on the streets of the Upper West Side who engage in a wide variety of threatening behaviors. I take these concerns very seriously. My office has renewed pressure on the City to provide what is truly necessary to successfully connect persons living on the street with shelter and services. As a result, homeless outreach teams in our area are starting to receive additional resources and we are monitoring the situation very closely.
Many of our street homeless are persons suffering from various forms of mental illness. As you know, living on the street is not a violation of the law, but endangering other people is. If you observe a homeless person who needs assistance, please call 311. Anyone who is being harassed or accosted should call 911.
At the same time, we are seeing a temporary increase in homeless residents who are being housed in our area. These New Yorkers have been living in congregate shelters, but as a safety precaution during the pandemic, they are being placed in hotels across the city. They continue to receive meals and shelter services while staying in local hotels.
2020 Census: NYC Needs You!
Just over half of New York City residents have responded to the 2020 Census. It is absolutely essential --for fair representation in government, equitable public funding, and much more-- that all New Yorkers participate. Every household has the option of responding online, by phone, or by mail. Learn more here.
Help increase the Upper West Side's Census participation rate!
- Please forward this email to any neighbors that might be out of town-- urge them to complete the Census, using their NYC address.
- Click here to learn about volunteer opportunities!
- Download this flyer to post in your building.
Blood Donations Needed
The cancellation of blood drives during the pandemic has significantly impacted supply levels. Please consider donating blood. New Yorkers can make an appointment by visiting nybc.org or calling 800-933-2566.
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.
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 it on a daily basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders need to get through this crisis.
Also, please visit the City's COVID-19 information portal: nyc.gov/coronavirus.
COVID-19 testing is available for all New Yorkers. To find a testing site near you, type your address here, or call 311.
Free Legal Assistance
NY Legal Assistance Group's COVID-19 Legal Resource Hotline has expanded its hours. If you've been impacted by COVID-19 and have questions about advance planning, consumer debt, employee rights or unemployment benefits, housing, public benefits, special education issues, or federal stimulus payments, please call (929) 356-9582 from 7am-1pm, Monday-Friday.
Please leave a message with your name, best phone number for a return call, and a description of the issue. NYLAG will follow-up within two business days.
Cooling Assistance
Are you having difficulty in applying for cooling assistance through the City? Please call our office at (212) 873-0282, x206 or x202 so we can assist you.
- The NYC Human Resources Administration offers a “Cooling Assistance” benefit, which helps eligible households buy and install an air conditioner or fan up to a cost of $800. Learn more and apply here.
- The City is also providing free air conditioners to lower-income seniors who pre-qualify based on their enrollment in City benefits programs. You must be 60 years or older, and not currently have an AC. City case managers are reaching out to eligible seniors directly. Call 311 with questions. NYCHA residents can also call (718) 707-7771. (NYCHA residents of any age who have a mobility impairment, and/or that are on life sustaining equipment may also be eligible.)
Looking for ways to cool off outside? The City is adding hundreds of water features across the five boroughs. Learn more using the Cool It! NYC map.
Summer Opportunities for Young People
- Summer in the City offers over 75 classes for kids this summer -- ages Pre-K to 2020 high school grads! Classes are FREE, taught live in real-time (via Zoom), and feature new content from the Bronx River Arts Center, Staten Island Museum, Brooklyn Ballet, Clemente Center, Lewis Latimer House, Dwana Smallwood Performing Arts Center, Guggenheim Museum, and many other wonderful NYC institutions. Learn more here.
- In partnership with the Jewish Theological Seminary, Repair the World NYC has launched a four-week Teen Virtual Service Corps. Participants will explore the intersection of Judaism and justice through a course taught by JTS instructors and inclusive of 40 hours of virtual volunteering. Program begins on July 27th and is for teens entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grades. Applications due on July 23rd. Learn more here.
UPDATED: Resources for Small Businesses
- Identifying Funding for Minority & Women-owned Businesses: Community Board 7 webinar next Wednesday, July 22 at noon. Register here.
- Learn more about the City's Open Restaurants program, see a siting diagram, read the updated guidelines, and learn how to self-certify here.
- NYC Business Restart Hotline: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692) for any small business who needs help or is seeking guidance on Phase 3 of the reopening.
- City of NY small business and non-profit employer guides available here.
- The City is providing 4 million face coverings for small businesses and their employees. Find a distribution site here.
- The deadline for the federal Paycheck Protection Program has been extended to August 8th. Click here to learn about the program.
- U.S. SBA is also applications again for Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Learn more here.
- The NY Forward Loan Fund is assisting businesses and organizations who have upfront safety expenses under the New York Forward Re-open Plan (e.g., inventory, marketing, refitting for new social distancing guidelines). Available for businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, nonprofits, and small landlords that have seen a loss of rental income. Learn more here.
- Storefront businesses who are clients of the Columbia-Harlem Small Business Development Center can apply for emergency loans. Learn more here.
Resources for Working New Yorkers
Call 311 or (212) 436-0381 with questions about reopening, health and safety guidelines for the workplace, or to report an employer that is not following reopening requirements. You will be connected to the NYC Dept of Consumer & Worker Protection for immediate assistance. Information on worker rights and guidance is also available online: nyc.gov/coronavirus.
Trained attorneys are available to answer questions about the various unemployment programs and how to approach denial of benefits through Volunteers of Legal Service's Unemployed Workers Project. Call VOLS' hotline at 347-521-5720 or fill out their interest form here. Download their flyer about unemployment benefits here.
COVID-19 Relief Fund for Non-Profits
The Robin Hood Foundation is assisting 501(c)(3) organizations who provide services to vulnerable populations in New York City. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. 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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