Dear Neighbors,

As the Summer comes to a close, let us look forward to a safe and healthy autumnal season. Our district is blessed to be a wonderful place to spend the fall outdoors with all of our wonderful parks.

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 vaccinated we can continue to stay well and overcome this pandemic.

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 attends Queens Small Business Comeback Night

On Tuesday, September 14th, Council Member Vallone attended the Queens Small Business Comeback Night at City Field. The event is celebrating the launch of the New York City Economic Development Corporation's Queens Small Business Grant Program which will distribute resources to NYC's small businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The event and funding are thanks to the generosity of Steven and Alexandra Cohen.

"I applaud the Mets and the Cohens for their committment to their city and their community." said Council Member Vallone. "This money will go a long way towards making whole those busineses that have been decimated by the pandemic over the last two years."

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Council Member Vallone attends Alley Pond Park Welcome Autumn Concert

On Saturday September 18th, Council Member Vallone attemded Alley Pond Park Environmental Center's Welcome Autumn concert, a event to celebrate the end of summer and raise money for their organization.

“APEC is one of Eastern Queens's treasures, and I'm so glad to have attended their wonderful concert to celebrate the start of Autumn.”, said Council Member Vallone “I also had the privilege to honor Michael Serao, a dedicated New Yorker who has for years been a great friend and benefactor to APEC and the city as a whole.”

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Vallone Visits JHS 185 to Check In on Their Reopening.

On Friday, September 17, Council Member Vallone visited JHS 185 to check in on how the new school year is going. He met with principal Theresa Mshar and observed how the school is operating in a successful and safe way thanks to her leadership and dedication.

"It is incredibly important that we send our children back to in person learning, but also that we create spaces in which they are safe and well cared for.", said Council Member Vallone, "Principal Mshar has done an incredible job in these difficult times and I wish her a very successful school year!"

ICYMI : Council Member Vallone Secures Record $37 Million for Northeast Queens

On Wednesday June 30, the New York City Council passed the City budget for the upcoming fiscal year, and Council Member Paul A. Vallone is proud to announce that in the final budget of his tenure in office, he was able to fight for and secure a record $37 million for improvements throughout Northeast Queens. In eight years of fiscal budgets, Vallone has now secured well over $160 million in additional funding for Northeast Queens including over $42 million for upgrades at local schools and over $71 million for improvements to parks in his Council District.

The Council Member, in partnership with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards or New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson funded the following projects within Council Member Vallone’s District:

$4.5 million to College Point Fields to convert an existing baseball field into soccer fields.

$2.75 million to Raymond O’Connor Park to build pathways and renovate their synthetic soccer fields.

$2.7 million for the Center for the Women of New York building renovations at Fort Totten.

$500K to build an outdoor reading garden at the Auburndale Library.

$440K for auditorium audiovisual upgrades at P.S. 209

$150K for NYPD security cameras throughout our district to help combat quality of life issues like drag racing in our community.

“I have fought hard to make sure that Northeast Queens was not ignored and given our fair share and recognition that it deserves as a part of this great city”, said Council Member Vallone “ I am proud to have been able to bring so many resources to my community in partnership with fellow elected officials. We are excited for the future of our district, and the impact of these projects will be felt for generations to come.”

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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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