— IN THE PAST WEEK —

Dear Neighbors,

I hope everyone continues to stay healthy and safe!

As we continue to celebrate the Festival of Lights, I want to wish a Happy
Hanukkah to all who observe! No matter how different your celebrations look
this year, I hope they're filled with joy and light. Chag Sameach!

As we enter the holiday season at the end of a very challenging year,
I urge you to remember: by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing,
looking after our seniors and most vulnerable neighbors, and getting
tested, we can continue to stop the spread of COVID19 and be well.
Thank you and stay well,
Council Member Paul Vallone

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Lighting the Menorah in Bay Terrace!

Honored as always to celebrate the Festival of Lights with Rabbi Yossi
Blesofsky and the Chabad of Northeast Queens with a socially-distanced
Annual Menorah Lighting. Wishing all of my friends in the Jewish community
a joyous and blessed Hanukkah!

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Northeast Queens Tree Lightings!

The holiday trees at Francis Lewis and MacNeil Park are lit! Please stop by
with your family sometime in the next few weeks and take in the joyful
sight.

Thanks to Friends of Francis Lewis Park, A Better College Point, Coastal
Preservation Network, NYC Parks and all involved for partnering to bring
some holiday light to the community!

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Vallone Chairs Hearing on Workforce Development and Combating Unemployment

On Wednesday, Council Member Paul A. Vallone co-chaired a hearing of the
Committees on Economic Development and Small Business to assess the city’s
workforce development infrastructure and what initiatives are in the
pipeline for the post-COVID world. Present was leadership from within the
Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, the Economic Development
Corporation and Commissioner Jonnel Dorris of the Department of Small
Business Services.

“Today’s hearing offered a critical look into job development progress
prior to the COVID-19 crisis, how these initiatives have adapted to
challenging circumstances and what plans lie ahead for the city’s various
workforce development programs and small business support,” said Council
Member Paul Vallone. “It is essential that these programs reach the five
boroughs equitably and, likewise, that New York City businesses are
connected directly to local talent.”

New York City saw an unemployment rate that was significantly higher than
the statewide rate, a disparity seen and felt throughout the five boroughs.
In Queens, unemployment saw its height in June with a 21.6% rate, compared
to the 3% rate seen in February, but the borough has seen a promising
decline to 13% in October.

NYCEDC reported on recent workforce development initiatives, including
partnering with Fullstack Academy to launch a $7.8 million cybersecurity
“bootcamp” for NYC-based cybersecurity jobs and awarding $550,000 in
microgrants to support workforce training programs for in-demand jobs. EDC
also played a critical role in creating local manufacturing jobs in direct
response to the COVID-19 crisis in the spring and the need for PPE and
medical equipment. In spring 2020, SBS announced the creation of an online
resource, “Career Discovery NYC,” and pivoted its Workforce1 Career Centers
job support to virtual. However, overall city resident engagement at the
Center was down this year compared to last.

Council Member Vallone pressed NYCEDC and SBS to ensure equity-based
workforce development throughout the five boroughs in the coming months.

“Getting New Yorkers back to work will be a multi-agency effort that must
be priority number one as we move into 2021 and a post-COVID world,” said
Vallone. “We on the committee look forward to hearing the progress of these
initiatives in the new year.”

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PS 31 Student Council Inauguration Day!

It was a pleasure on Thursday to swear in our future leaders at PS 31!
Thanks to Principal Grawbow and the PTA for inviting me!

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Whitestone Holiday Light Fundraiser

The Whitestone Merchants Association is working to bring holiday lights to
our streets again this winter! They will be raising funds throughout the
season. Donation information can be found below:

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Grab and Go Meals for ALL

Even when school buildings are closed, free meals are still available at
NYC Schools Meal Hubs!

To find a location near you visit [1][link removed]
or text "NYC FOOD" to 877-877.

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Stopping the Spread of COVID-19

Getting tested for COVID-19 or antibodies? Here is the difference between
the two tests:
* Virus tests tell you if you have COVID-19 and are currently sick.
* Antibody tests tell you if you had COVID-19 at some point in the past.

Learn more about testing [2]here

NYC is one of the first local jurisdictions in the country to put out
COVID19 testing frequency recommendations. Find out how often you should be
getting tested: [3][link removed]

Testing is widely available, and you can now get tested even if you are
asymptomatic. Testing is free, quick, and easy, and you do not need
insurance.

⦿ Text 'COVID TEST' to 855-48 to find the closest testing location or visit
[4]nyc.gov/COVIDtest

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New: Open Storefronts

Have you heard about Open Storefronts? Ground floor storefront businesses
can now use a portion of the sidewalk to conduct business until December
31.

A strong economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic means continuous
creativity with our open spaces and giving our business owners every
resource they need to survive and thrive. The Open Storefronts program will
accomplish just that and give New Yorkers a unique way to shop local and
shop safe throughout this holiday season.

Learn more and check your eligibility [5]here!

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Working Through the

Coronavirus Outbreak Together

PHASE 4 REOPENING

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Open Restaurants Program

The City has announced guidance for the Open Restaurants program, which
allows qualifying restaurants and bars to expand outdoor seating on
sidewalks, curb lanes, backyards, patios, plazas, and Open Streets.

The Open Restaurants initiative will give restaurant owners the power to
expand and offer food service in the open air, keeping diners safe and
offering New Yorkers a way to enjoy a meal while supporting their local
small business, whose success will be a critical part of a strong economic
recovery.

Read more and apply [6]here!

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Free Face Coverings for Small Businesses

and their Employees

The City of New York will distribute 4 million face coverings citywide to
small businesses and their employees as we move toward reopening the local
economy. To get these resources to you and your employees, the NYC
Department of Small Business Services and NYC Department of Consumer and
Worker Protection are working with business-serving partner organizations
throughout the five boroughs.

If you are a small business looking to secure free face coverings for your
employees, visit [7]this City website to find a distribution partner
located near you. You should contact partner organizations in advance, most
organizations have varying hours for pick up.

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Food Pantry Assistance

Our local food pantries in College Point, Flushing and Whitestone are
offering assistance to hundreds of families and need our help. Please
donate if you are able and spread the word! Thank you CEC D25!

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College Point Residents Organize Fundraiser to Deliver Meals

As our City continues to battle the effects of COVID-19, Northeast Queens
residents continue to organize and offer a helping hand. College Point
residents Jennifer Shannon, Cathy Shannon, James & Kathryn Cervino, and
Margaret Loughlin have stepped up and launched a fundraiser to help College
Point residents who are in need of food.

Organizers write: "We have been going strong throughout the summer, helping
to keep the food pantry alive at First Reformed Church in CP. Thanks to
generous donations from the community, businesses, and city partners, we
have been helping the community throughout these difficult Covid
times...Our focus has now fully shifted from thanking workers, which was a
wonderful initiative, to supporting the food pantry."

I was proud to contribute to this local effort. Please offer a helping hand
if you are able!

Find more information on [8]GoFundMe

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Please note the following City and State guidelines and determinations:
For the duration of the outbreak, the following precautions are strongly
encouraged to keep you and your family healthy:
* Wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds
every time, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
* Do not touch your face unless you recently washed your hands.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or
coughing. Do not use your hands.
* When in public, practice social distancing of at least six feet from
others.
* If you are an older adult or have a chronic health conditions, avoid
unnecessary gatherings.
* Most importantly, #StaySafeStayHome!

We will continue to share the latest updates and resources with the
community as they are reported to help ensure everyone stays informed.
Follow our [9]Facebook and [10]Twitter for the latest.

Please sign up to get email updates from New York State on the evolving
COVID-19 situation at [11][link removed].

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— MORE NEWS —

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Friends of Crocheron & John Golden Park

A new local group has formed with the mission to ensure Crocheron & John
Golden Park will provide all visitors with beautiful open spaces.

Learn more about their fundraising and event organization efforts [12]here

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— IMPORTANT RESOURCES —

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718-268-5011

Commonpoint is also offering free full day childcare to families working as
essential workers. [13]Inquire here

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— UPCOMING EVENTS & COMMUNITY INFO —

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Thanks for reading! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, do
not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Hon. Paul A. Vallone

New York City Council, District 19

42-40 Bell Boulevard, Suite 507

Bayside, New York 11361

718.619.8611

[email protected]

Follow me on [14]Facebook, [15]Twitter and [16]Instagram

References

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Council Member Paul Vallone | Council Member Paul Vallone | 42-40 Bell Boulevard, Suite 507 | Bayside, New York 11361
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