Dear Neighbors,

I wish a happy Passover and a blessed Palm Sunday to those in our community who celebrated this past weekend. I would also like to extend my greetings to those who are celebrating the beginning of Holi. This week has been an important week in stopping the spread of COVID in our community as we have welcomed the opening of the first permanent vaccination site in our district at the Korean Community Services Center. We are one step closer to moving past this pandemic and back to normal.

As we continue our work to stop the spread of COVID-19, please remember: by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, looking after our seniors and most vulnerable neighbors, and getting tested, we can continue to stay well.

Please find below the latest news and resources to stay informed.

Thank you and stay well,

Council Member Paul Vallone
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District 19 Gets First Permanent Vaccination Site at the KCS Center

Council Member Paul A. Vallone attended the opening of the Korean Community Services center, KCS, as a permanent vaccination site for residents in Northeast Queens as they have secured a contract with the City of New York. The Council Member has been fighting for more vaccine access for his district, which has one of the highest concentrations of senior citizens in the city, since vaccinations became available earlier this year.

The new vaccine site hosted by Korean Community Services, operated by Centers Urgent Care, and located at 203-05 32nd Ave will build upon the existing five-borough network of vaccine access points open to the eligible public. This new vaccination site will offer more than 160 appointments per day and will be open 7 days a week, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Additional days and appointments will be available as supply increases citywide. Starting March 25, eligible New Yorkers can make an appointment at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC.

“We have one of the largest populations of seniors in the City and have been advocating from day one for our own dedicated vaccination site. This is a tremendous relief and victory for everyone in Northeast Queens and we thank the Mayor for getting this done. Having KCS as our partner once again is a perfect location and provider to bring the life saving vaccine to our residents.”, said Council Member Paul Vallone.

Previously, Vallone has successfully fought to secure 2 pop up vaccination centers in Northeast Queens but he consistently asked for a permanent location that would be available until the end of this pandemic. KCS has served as one of these locations, and has always been an incredible community partner, especially during this pandemic.

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Council Member Vallone Co-Hosts National Day of Action and Healing Unity Rally

On Friday, Council Member Vallone joined elected officials and nonprofits at Bay Terrace Shopping Center to call attention to the spike in racially motivated crimes perpetrated on Asian Americans in our nation.

“On the eve of Passover and the upcoming Easter season, there is no room for hate in our community and we stand together. It is terrible to see this wave of Anti-Asian violence in our communities. I stand with those working to end discrimination for all Amercians and I call for an increase in funding to the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force.”, said Council Member Vallone “We all must work together to end this spree of racially motivated crime.”

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Bowne Park Renovations Set to Begin This Spring

Council Member Paul A Vallone, whose district oversees the park, allocated $1.45 million in capital funding to upgrade the water fountains and filtration system in the pond of the nearly 12-acre park. The Parks Department has awarded a contract and work is set to begin the week of March 22nd and the construction's duration is 18 months with a completion date of August 2022

This project will remove accumulated sediment from the pond bottom and repair a connection to a well so groundwater can be used to refill the pond instead of City water. A new aeration system with three water cannons will help to improve the water quality. Renovations will be in phases allowing wildlife to remain at the pond during construction as a portion of the pond will retain freshwater.

In addition,the renovations will replace the granite stone on the wall at the edge of the pond and clear catch basins and storm sewer lines that empty into the pond. Portions of the existing asphalt path system will be reconstructed, and new plantings will be installed.

“I'm very proud that the latest capital project is about to begin at Bowne Park. The renovations to our iconic pond will add to the serene beauty that is unique to this park. These projects along with the upcoming bocce court beautification community project will total over 3.5 million dollars and complete our promise to renovate and preserve the beauty of Bowne Park.” said Council Member Vallone.

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Pop Up Douglaston Food Share Available for Neighbors in Need through June

Please spread the word about our pop up food pantries! All relevant information can be found on the infographics below in both Chinese and English.

Great work from the Douglaston LDC, Zion Episcopal Church, and The Community Church of Douglaston!

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ICYMI: Senior Medical Transport Program Returns to District 19

Photo taken in 2019

Council Member Paul A. Vallone is proud to announce that the Free Senior Transportation Program is back up and running as of last week thanks to a $90,000 funding allocation. An additional $50,000 was allocated in partnership with Speaker Corey Johnson and Council Member Robert Holden, bringing the total allotment to $140,000. Queens seniors living in Council Member Vallone’s district are eligible for the program, as well as seniors in Council Member Holden’s section of Queens. Rides are offered to areas within the five boroughs and western Nassau County. The program will continue until all funding runs out.

In order to schedule a ride to an essential medical or vaccination appointment, eligible Queens seniors should call the Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center at 718-224-7888 between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon and leave their name and phone number in a voicemail to schedule their next-day rides. The Selfhelp team will return their call and arrange the ride. If their appointment is on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday, seniors will need to call the prior Friday. All those who use the service will need to complete a basic application with demographic information and an emergency contact and provide their destination.