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Dear Neighbors,

As you are probably aware, the City has decided to move the men staying in the emergency homeless shelter at the Lucerne Hotel into another facility outside of our neighborhood.

I strongly disagree with this decision for three major reasons.

The decision to close the Lucerne shelter undermines a key part of the City's strategy to contain spread of the virus. Congregate shelter residents were moved into hotels to help keep all of us safe from contagion, and the strategy has worked. That said, there is no question that the City could have given us more notice and that the first few weeks of the shelter's operation were very difficult. Neighbors did see problematic behavior and incidents on the streets.

But local elected officials, community non-profits, neighbors, and shelter providers have been working together to address these issues and have made great progress. I am especially moved by the generosity of so many Upper West Siders, and groups like UWS Open Hearts, who spoke on behalf of the shelter residents, donated gently used clothing for clients going on job interviews, and made financial donations to the non-profit providers, like Project Renewal. Our neighborhood community services provider, Goddard Riverside, raised private funds to provide space and daytime programming for the Lucerne clients. Programming was to begin on Tuesday, and food had already been ordered to welcome the men.

Sadly, these efforts are all undermined by the Mayor's decision.

I joined Upper West Siders in front of the Lucerne this week to speak out against the City's decision to move out shelter residents.

Finally, moving the men out of the Lucerne requires the City to identify another location for them to go. The residents of the Lucerne will displace residents of the Harmonia on E. 31st Street, which provides supportive housing to 150 adult families.

The Harmonia had been renovated specifically to meet the needs of its current population, and the surrounding community has worked hard to incorporate them into their neighborhood. A number of the Harmonia's residents are people with disabilities and/or health conditions that require them to get services from nearby healthcare facilities. Because the residents are being relocated to all corners of the city, they will lose their current on-site supportive services and may have to travel much farther for healthcare.The social services provider at the Harmonia, which has reportedly been working well for its residents, is laying off staff.

It's not too late for the Mayor to change his mind. The ripple effects of his decision will affect multitudes in a negative way. This decision reflects back on all of us and raises a serious question: As we go through one of the most difficult periods in New York City's history, are we able to come together and truly support each other?

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A reminder that September is Hunger Action Month ([link removed]) . Even before the pandemic, well over a million New York City residents were food insecure and that number continues to rise. There are many ways to help. As I noted last week, public school families who do not need their P-EBT cards can use the value of those cards to support the Upper West Side's outstanding food pantries and soup kitchens ([link removed]) .

Another way to provide healthy food for our food insecure neighbors is to bring food directly to the West End Community Fridge, or “Friendly Fridge," on W. 77th Street between West End Ave and Broadway (outside of West End Collegiate Church). The fridge is open for donations Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

To learn more, follow the West End Community Fridge on Instagram ([link removed]) . Food and financial donations are needed, as are volunteer drivers to pick up food donations. Sign up to volunteer here ([link removed]) . You can donate funds via their Venmo account ([link removed]) , @westendfridge.

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Thank you to everyone who attended our September Housing Clinic this week, which was led by attorneys from TakeRoot Jutsice and Goddard Riverside Law Project. The clinic covered a wide range of housing-related issues, with a special focus on the basics of housing court. Watch the clinic here ([link removed]) .

If you are facing a possible eviction, help is available. You can access free legal services on our website ([link removed]) , by looking under "Housing."
As we have noted previously, NYS Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks issued a directive ([link removed]) on August 12th mandating that no existing or new residential eviction warrants be executed until October at the earliest. The order continues a suspension on proceedings in all new eviction cases brought by landlords after March 17.
2020 Census: Time Is Running Out

Despite legal efforts to extend the deadline, the 2020 Census appears to be on track to end on September 30th.

It is absolutely essential --for fair representation in government, equitable public funding, and much more-- that all New Yorkers participate in the Census. Go to my2020census.gov ([link removed]) or call 844-330-2020 to complete your Census today -- it's fast and confidential. New York City’s future depends on it.
Important Community Updates

2020 Presidential Election
* Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd.
* Early Voting will be available from October 24th -- November 1st. We will follow up shortly with information about early voting sites in our area.

Absentee Ballots: Apply ASAP
It's easy and simple to apply online for a general absentee ballot for the November 3rd election. Click here to apply now ([link removed]) . Important: if you applied for an absentee ballot for the primary election, you must apply again for the general election.

New Yorkers can also mail, email or fax their absentee ballot applications. Click here ([link removed]) to learn more. All applications must be submitted by October 27th. If you are mailing your application it must be postmarked by this date. New Yorkers may apply in-person until November 2nd.

To ensure receipt of your absentee ballot, please apply as soon as possible!

The NYC Board of Elections will begin mailing out absentee ballots later this month. The BOE now provides an Absentee Ballot Tracking System. Click here ([link removed]) to check the status of your application and track your ballot. The system is updated every 24 hours, and applications take up to 72 hours to be entered.

Making Your Vote Count: Sen. Liz Krueger Town Hall
If you have questions about to how to apply for an absentee ballot, how to track your ballot, where to vote early, changes to NYS election laws, how to become a poll worker or poll monitor, or you just want to make sure that your vote will count, join Senator Liz Krueger, along with representatives of Common Cause NY and the League of Women Voters NYC, for a discussion on Thursday, September 17th, from 7– 8:30 pm.

Sen. Krueger's Town Hall will be streamed live via Facebook. You do not need a Facebook account or profile to watch. Go to [link removed]. Persons without internet access may call in. When you register for the event you will receive a confirmation email with the call-in information. Register and submit your voting questions here ([link removed]) .

Naturalization Fees
Beginning October 2, many U.S. immigration fees will increase. Fees for naturalization applications will increase from $725 to $1170, and naturalization fee waivers will be eliminated.

In preparation for these changes, CUNY Citizenship Now! ([link removed]) is prioritizing citizenship cases and case types that are currently eligible for means tested fee waivers until October 1st. Appointments for N-400, N-600, I-90, I-765, N-565, and any case where a participant is eligible for a Fee Waiver, are being taken first by CUNY Citizenship Now!. Other less urgent cases may have to wait longer for appointments during this period. Learn more here ([link removed]) .

Survey on NYC Emergency Response to Mental Health Crises
Together with several advocacy organizations, NY Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) has launched a community survey as part of an investigation of issues concerning requests for emergency assistance during mental health crises. The investigation is focused on residents who have been mistreated by the police during a mental health crisis, and did not receive appropriate services and supports.

NYLPI hopes to gather ideas and recommendations from directly impacted residents to ensure a City-wide, public health-focused option for persons experiencing a mental heath crisis.The survey is anonymous and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Take the survey here ([link removed]) .

Childcare for Public School Families
The NYC Dept of Education's Learning Bridges program will provide free child care options for children from 3-K through 8th grade on days when they are scheduled for remote learning. The program will:
* Be operated by community-based organizations and other partners
* Provide opportunities for children to connect to their remote learning activities
* Include time for art, recreation, and other age-appropriate activities
* Follow the same rigorous health and safety precautions as schools

If you are interested in the Learning Bridges program, click here to learn more and apply ([link removed]) . If you already filled out the expression of interest form, you do not need to complete another application. Families can call 311 if they are having difficulty completing the application.

More information will be shared by the DOE (for children in 3-K and pre-K) or the Dept of Youth & Community Development (for children in grades K-8) about potential placements. Programs will become available on a rolling basis beginning at the start of school.

Seniors: Avoid Text Scams!
Some of you may have received texts stating that you have been chosen to receive Food Stamps for 30 days, a fast food gift certificate, or some other offer that you can obtain by clicking on a web link. These messages are scams. The USDA, which administers SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps), does not send out texts offering government benefits. For information about SNAP and other types of assistance, click here ([link removed]) .
Spread the Word!

Volunteers Needed: Help Distribute Masks on Subways & Buses
Positive reinforcement and easy access to masks can help remind New Yorkers to wear these critical weapons against the coronavirus. In July and August, 600+ MTA volunteers, joined by elected officials and advocacy groups, distributed masks on subways and buses throughout the five boroughs.

The MTA "Mask Force" will be handing out masks again on Monday, September 14 and Thursday, September 17. Volunteers are needed to work 2.5 hour shifts from ten locations throughout the city. Sign-up here ([link removed]) .

Free Vision Screenings
The SUNY College of Optometry is providing FREE vision screenings at their University Eye Center on Tuesday September 15th, from 4pm -- 5:40pm, and Thursday October 22nd, from 4:30pm -- 6:10pm. Location: 33 W. 42nd Street.

All ages welcome. Screenings are by appointment only -- limited spots available. Phone (212) 938-4001, Monday-Thursday 8am-6pm, Friday 9am-5pm, and Saturday 8am-4pm.
We're Here to Help

My office assists people with housing issues, seniors, the disabled, the recently un (or under) employed, the food insecure, 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] (mailto:[email protected]) ; or check our website, HelenRosenthal.com ([link removed]) . 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.

Warmly,

P.S. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, or have them subscribe to my e-blasts here ([link removed]) . Also, follow my social media accounts on Twitter ([link removed]) , Facebook ([link removed]) , and/or Instagram ([link removed]) .

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