Dear Neighbors,

I want to wish eveyone a very happy Pride! It is more important now than ever to ensure that all members of our community know that they are accepted and welcome as they are, and that we work to break down barriers of ignorance and hate that have sadly become more apparent in the past year.

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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Council Member Vallone Chairs Hearing on NYC LifeSci Initiative

On Monday June 21st, Council Member Vallone chaired a hearing of the Economic Development Committee to oversee the City's investment in the LifeSci NYC initiative.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced a plan to double the City’s $500 million investment in life sciences to $1 billion as part of LifeSci NYC. The expanded initiative is expected to generate 40,000 jobs through investments supporting the construction of much-needed commercial lab space and incubators, nonprofit facilities to spur new research that translates into companies, jobs, medicines, and advanced technologies, as well as the expansion of the LifeSci NYC Internship program to develop the city’s life sciences talent pipeline.

In another step forward for the life sciences in NYC, they were recognized by the Public Design Commission with an Excellence in Design Award for the Public Health Laboratory at the Harlem Hospital Center. This new 230,000 sq ft building will further strengthen the City’s capability to protect and promote the health of all New Yorkers through testing and services for a wide range of clinical and environmental health-related concerns. From microbiology and virology, to immunology and biosafety, the new laboratory will enhance the City’s response to emerging public health challenges like COVID-19.

“I applaud the forward thinking investments that the City will make as part of the LifeSci initiative to expand our capacity as a world leader in fighting pandemics and increase life sciences research and development.”

said Council Member Paul A. Vallone, “ It is more important now than ever to ensure that we have a diversified economy in our city that spurs new research and creates jobs that will prevent future public health catastrophes."

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Council Member Vallone Honors 2021 Graduating Classes Around the District

Throughout the month of June Council Member Vallone has been honoring students in the district who have gotten through the last year and graduated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council Member has honored a number of students from our community and their names are below:

PS 130 Ashaz Amin

PS 184 Salvatore Loccisano

MS 379 Angeline Li

MS 379 Michael Esposito

MS 379 Jake Petzolt

PS 209 Senna Shiau

St. Agnes Alexis Papadopoulos

OLBS Victoria Molinari

St. Luke Anthony Frosina

PS 193 Sophia Giancarlo

St. Kevin Sean Ginnane

PS 159 Benny Lin

PS 129 Brandon Ledesma

Divine Wisdom Giuliana Bacarella

PS 32 William Kelly

St Andrew Misha Jabal Abadi

Sacred Heart Grace Parker

PS 169 Eunbe Choe

PS 41 Jeremy Pebe-Castillo

PS 41 Pelagia Harris

PS 41 Adele Robles

PS 29 Anthony Cipriano

"I applaud the students and faculty of all of the schools in our district for getting through an incredibly tough year", said Council Member Vallone, "It is an incredible achievement to have gotten through the past year, and I am sure that the future holds nothing but good things for the graduates!"

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Council Member Vallone Announces the NYC Business Quick Start Program with Mayor DeBlasio

One Monday June 21st, Council Member Vallone joined Mayor Bill Deblasio in announcing the City's new NYC Business Quick Start program to assist small business owners in getting their businesses up and running as easily and smoothly as possible as we recover from the pandemic. The Council Member stressed the need for the resources to reflect the lingustic and cultural landscape of the city to ensure that all of our small business owners are able to access these much needed resources and ensure an equitable recovery for all.

NYC Business Quick Start will provide small businesses a sole point of contact to help navigate City regulations, as well as a public dashboard. The program guarantees a 48-hour response to all small business inquiries and will cut processing time by 50 percent. The City expects 50,000 small businesses to benefit from the NYC Business Quick Start and its predecessor SBS business-assistance programs.

"Today at the Mayor's press conference I applauded the Administration for launching the multi-lingual NYC Business Quick Start, which will ensure that all small businesses are able to reopen quickly and easily to bring our city back better than ever!" said Council Member Vallone

Click Here To Access NYC Business Quick Start Resources!

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KCS Now Open to All 12+ for Walk-in Vaccinations

The Korean Community Services Center is now open to walk in vaccinations to those 12 and over!

If you know If you know someone who is 12 years or older and is still in need of a COVID vaccine, please encourage them to get vaccinated!

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

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Open Storefronts

The Open Storefronts program has been extended through 9/30/2021!

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!

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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 GoFundMe

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