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
_________________________________________________________________________

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!

_________________________________________________________________________

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!

_________________________________________________________________________

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.”

_________________________________________________________________________

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 http://schools.nyc.gov/freemeals
or text "NYC FOOD" to 877-877.

_________________________________________________________________________

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 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: https://on.nyc.gov/316jRUC

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 nyc.gov/COVIDtest

_________________________________________________________________________

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 here!

_________________________________________________________________________

Working Through the

Coronavirus Outbreak Together

PHASE 4 REOPENING

------------------

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 here!

_________________________________________________________________________

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 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.

_________________________________________________________________________

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 GoFundMe

_________________________________________________________________________

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 Facebook and Twitter for the latest.

Please sign up to get email updates from New York State on the evolving COVID-19 situation at https://now.ny.gov/page/s/coronavirus-updates.