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Dear Neighbor,
This email offers some legislative updates, health
information, upcoming events and useful resources.
Stay safe and healthy. As always, if you have any
questions or need assistance, please email or call my office at [email protected] or 212-490-9535.
Best,
Liz Krueger
State Senator
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A Virtual Town Hall for Co-op and
Condo Boards, and Building Managers
“Local Law 97: Technical and Financial
Resources
to Assist with Compliance and
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions”
Sponsored by:
Senator Liz Krueger
Manhattan Borough President Mark
Levine
Council Members Keith Powers and
Julie Menin
Tuesday, December 6th, 7pm – 8:30
pm
Buildings are the
single-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in New York
City. Local Law 97 sets limits on the levels of allowable greenhouse
gas emissions from buildings over 25,000 square feet. Compliance requires
New York City buildings to become more energy efficient and may require
additional measures, such as electrification.
The law will go into effect in 2024, a little
over a year away. Learn what steps your building should take *now* to
comply with the law, and find out about technical and financial resources
available to support buildings as they go green. Experts will share
information about Local Law 97’s implementation timeline, and what
actions your building can take to reduce emissions.
The Virtual Town Hall will feature:
· Simon Mugo, NYC Accelerator Program,
Mid-Atlantic Region
· Gina Bocra, Chief Sustainability Officer, NYC
Department of Buildings (DOB)
You will have the option of joining the
event online through Zoom, a webinar hosting service.
You will also have the option to view the event online through
Facebook. Please note that you do not need a Facebook account or
profile to view the event through Facebook.
If you do not have access to a computer,
tablet, or other electronic device, you can listen in by telephone.
**Once you register for the event, you will
receive a confirmation email with the Zoom and Facebook links, and the
call-in information.**
The event will feature a question and answer session with the Simon Mugo
and Gina Bocra. If you want information about the Local Law 97
implementation timeline, the available resources to support buildings
boards and managers to comply with the law, and financial support
available, you should attend the December 6th Town Hall. Attendees will
be able to submit questions through Zoom and Facebook during the event
but are *strongly* encouraged to submit them in advance.
Please let us know if you plan to attend the Tuesday, December 6th
Virtual Town Hall by registering at https://tinyurl.com/LL97-Town-Hall.
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Lithium-Ion Battery Safety:
Last month I introduced two new bills (S.9597
and S.9596) designed to address the proliferation of fires caused by
malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries used to power e-bikes, e-scooters,
and other micromobility devices. The bills would prohibit the sale of
such batteries unless they are tested by a nationally recognized testing
laboratory (such as Underwriters Laboratories), and would also prohibit
the sale of reconditioned or second-use lithium-ion batteries. he New
York City Council is also considering legislation to address the risks
these batteries pose.
Reconditioned and untested batteries are
contributing to a serious threat to the health and safety of New Yorkers
in their homes and in their jobs, whether it's delivery workers trying to
make a living, or residential tenants living next to a fly-by-night
charging business. When a piece of equipment has the potential to cause
so much damage, we simply cannot have a wild west approach without any
oversight. Micromobility devices are here to stay, and their use is
continuing to expand, so we must act quickly to ensure they are used in a
responsible way that doesn't put other people at risk.
Over the past year, New York City has
experienced a rapid increase in lithium-ion battery-related fires,
largely associated with e-bikes. It has been reported that an e-bike or
e-scooter battery causes a fire in the City four times a week, on
average. As of October 30th, 2022, the FDNY investigated 174
battery-related fires this year, which puts the City on track to double
the total number of battery related fires from 2021 (104 fires) and
quadruple the number from 2020 (44 fires). 6 New Yorkers have died in
fires caused by e-bikes this year, and 139 have been injured, including
38 of Sen. Krueger's constituents in a single fire in a high-rise
apartment in East Midtown.
The FDNY has found that some of these battery
fires have resulted from second-use lithium-ion batteries that contained
reassembled used batteries. These batteries were not intended to be used
in this way, and it is likely that this was a factor in the battery
combusting. Additionally, there are a lot of non-proprietary batteries
available for purchase online that claim to be compatible with e-bikes
and e-scooters, however little to no information is available about the
safety of these products.
S.9597 would require that all batteries sold in
New York for mobility devices be tested for safety and certified by a
nationally recognized laboratory or other approved organization, and that
such certification be clearly labeled on battery packaging. S.9596 would
ban the sale of second-use lithium ion batteries designed for use in
e-bikes and e-scooters. Both bills provide for fines reaching up to $1000
per offense.
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Governor Hochul Signs Attendance Policy
Legislation
I am happy to report that last month the Governor
Hochul signed my legislation banning employers from retaliating against employees
for taking legally-protected time off (S.1958A/A.8092B).
Employees have the right to take legally-protected
time off from their jobs to address certain medical, caregiving, and religious
needs without penalty. Pregnant workers may need to take time off for a
prenatal check-up or to obtain emergency medical care. Workers who are
caregivers may need to stay home with a sick child or an elderly parent.
Workers who have chronic health conditions, or who suddenly become ill, may
need to seek ongoing or immediate medical attention. Too often, however, absence control or
"no-fault" attendance policies violate workers' rights in New York
State and discourage them from taking job-protected leave or time off to which
they are entitled by law. Under such policies, employees are assessed points
(also referred to as "demerits" or "occurrences") for each
absence regardless of the reason. Those points subject workers to discipline,
often including termination. Such policies may force employees to choose
between taking care of their health and keeping their job.
According to A Better Balance survey, the policies of
sixty-six U.S. employers impacting approximately eighteen million workers, more
than 80% of those policies failed to make clear that employees would not receive
points for disability-related absences; many provided incomplete or misleading
information to workers regarding their right to time off under the federal
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); and the majority of the policies indicated
that workers will incur points when they miss work because they are sick.
The legislation the Governor signs makes it explicitly
clear that workers shall not be punished or subjected to discipline for lawful
absences. I thank the Governor and my Assembly cosponsor, Karines Reyes, for
their work in enacting this important protection for New York’s workers.
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Op-Ed: NY’s Unfinished Business on Climate
Justice
Last month, the Daily News published an op-ed I
wrote regarding the need for New York State to make the investments
necessary to protect our state from the impacts of climate change and to
transition our economy away from fossil fuels and toward safe, clean,
reliable, and affordable energy. You
can read the Op-Ed here.
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Contents:
Please click on the
following links to go directly to the specified content further below in
this email. If links do not work properly, you may need to
click “view entire message” at the end of this page.
Health
Update Contents:
·
COVID-19 Resources
·
COVID-19 Rapid Test Reporting
· COVID-19
and the Holiday Season
·
COVID Treatment
Community
Update Contents:
·
Online & In-Person Meetings, Town
Halls, and Webinars
·
Physical
and Mental Health Care, Health Insurance, Public Health, Research
·
Food
·
Housing
·
Jobs,
Job Training, Residencies, Internships, Fellowships
·
Donation
and Volunteer Opportunities
·
Social
and Legal Services
·
Resources
for Older Adults & Caregivers
·
Resources
for Small Businesses & Non-Profits
·
In-Person & Virtual
Community Activities
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COVID-19 Rapid Test Reporting
As the use of COVID-19 at-home rapid tests has
increased, the volume of community testing and test result data has gone
down. As I have previously shared, test result data is utilized to help
analyze the spread of the virus and to determine if a surge is underway. I
am aware that some constituents have called my office in the past to
express the need for a system where individuals can self-report test
results from COVID-19 at-home rapid tests.
The National Institute for Health (NIH) has
developed a website, Make My Test
Count, which allows you to anonymously
report positive and negative test results. Data collected is de-identified
and sent to local health departments. This website does not make the
testing data available to the public, but there is value in the testing
data being sent to local health departments for analysis.
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COVID-19 and the Holiday Season
As we enter our third pandemic holiday season,
most of us are aware of safety practices to follow in order to keep
ourselves, family members, and friends safe. I would like to share some tips
here that were provided by Katelyn Jetelina, an Epidemiologist, as a
friendly reminder, and because it is so concerning that almost 9 out of 10 deaths from
the Coronavirus are now people age 65+.
· Katelyn Jetelina shared approximate periods of
time that people are contagious if they have Flu, RSV, and COVID-19. This
is helpful to know if you are planning to attend a holiday or social
gathering:
o
Flu: 5-7 days
after start of symptoms
o
RSV: 3-8 days
after start of symptoms. Some infants and people who are immunocompromised
may continue to be contagious after they stop experiencing symptoms, up to
4 weeks
o
COVID-19: an
average of 8-10 days – this varies and it is necessary to test to know if
one is still contagious
· Take a COVID-19 at home rapid test the day before
and the morning of any gatherings you will attend to determine if you have
the virus and to help prevent false negative test results
· Wear a mask in public 4 days prior to gatherings
to help prevent contracting viruses, especially if people who are at risk
of severe illness will attend the gathering.
· Maintain good air ventilation where gatherings
will be held and at home
· If you have a baby, use caution around people
outside of your household. If you allow others to hold your baby, ask them
to wear a mask and to refrain from kissing the baby.
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COVID-19 Treatment
A friendly reminder that the best way to prevent
getting COVID-19 and Long COVID is to stay up to date with Coronavirus
vaccinations and boosters, and follow other preventive safety measures.
However, Paxlovid is a medication that provides life-saving treatment and
reduces the chance of hospitalization for people who contract the
Coronavirus and are at higher risk of severe illness.
To access Paxlovid:
· Make sure to get tested as soon as you experience
possible symptoms of COVID-19
· Speak with your primary care provider to discuss
eligibility for COVID-19 treatment. If you do not have a primary care
provider, or if you are uninsured, you can call 212-268-4319 and press
option 9 to reach the NYC Health + Hospitals emergency telehealth service.
You will have intake with a nurse and then speak with a clinician to
determine eligibility.
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Online
& In-Person Meetings, Town Halls, and Webinars
· Green Infrastucture Grant Program: Please join DEP at a virtual workshop on the
Green Infrastructure Grant Program on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 2:00
PM - 3:30 PM. Attendees will learn about funding available for green roof
retrofits on private property, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
To learn more about the Green Infrastructure Grant Program, visit
nyc.gov/dep/gigrantprogram. You can register for the event here.
· New York Utility Consumers in Crisis
Webinar: On Friday December 9th from 11 a.m. to Noon, City and State
New York and AARP New York are offering a New York Utility Consumers in
Crisis Webinar. Over a million New Yorkers are already behind on utility
bills, and countless others are making hard choices between heating their
homes and paying for other essentials like food and medicine. Meanwhile,
natural gas prices are projected to climb even higher this winter, some of
New York’s largest utility companies are seeking sizable rate increase
right now before the Public Service Commission, and large costs associated
with meeting the state’s aggressive climate goals are looming. They will
discuss we discuss utility affordability challenges in New York and explore
the way the Governor, state legislators and the Public Service Commission
may be able to protect struggling utility consumers and address this
affordability crisis. Register here.
· Yoga, Mindfulness and Meditation:
Good For Your Heart!: On Tuesday. December 13th from 5-6
p.m. NYU Langone’s Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease is
offering a webinar on Yoga, Mindfulness and Meditation. Stress has been
linked with many health conditions including heart disease, digestive
issues, and headaches. Stress can also contribute to feelings of
frustration and unhappiness. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season
can bring added stress which can impact your wellbeing. Join NYU Langone
psychologist Adam D. Brown, PsyD, and moderator Dennis A. Goodman, MD, to learn
how holistic practices such as yoga, mindfulness, and meditation can help
mitigate stress. Learn simple steps to engage with these practices for
improved wellbeing at home and on the job. Webinar participants can join
along as Dr. Brown leads a meditation exercise. Register here.
· Grants
Workshops for Small Businesses and Community Groups: CitizensNYC is hosting a series of workshops on
their grants programs. Find out more about their Neighborhood Business
Grants of up to $10,000 and Community Building Grants of up to $3,000 by
participating in an upcoming workshop. More information on the grants and workshops
is available at https://www.citizensnyc.org/grantmaking..
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Physical
and Mental Health Care, Health Insurance, Public Health, Research
· Medicare Open Enrollment: We have now entered the Medicare Open Enrollment
period, which runs from October 15 – December 7. During this enrollment
period, people with Medicare can change their health plan or prescription
drug plan. For example, if you are currently enrolled in a Medicare
Advantage Plan and you want to switch to Original Medicare, or you want to
switch from one prescription drug plan to another, this is the time to do
so. If
you have questions, or are unsure which health or prescription drug plan is
best for you, you can call HIICAP or Community Health Advocates for
assistance:
o
Health Insurance
Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP): 212-602-4180
o
Community Health
Advocates: 888-614-5400
· Beware
of Medicare Scams: During the
Open Enrollment period, the Statewide Senior Action Council is highlighting
that it is critical to beware of Medicare fraudsters looking to steal
seniors’ valuable personal information. Here are some of the more prevalent
scams seniors should be on the lookout for:
o
Scammers
claim they work with Medicare, are an “official Medicare agent” or
“represent Medicare”
o
There are no
Medicare representatives and Medicare will never cold-call you
o
Scammers say
you must join a Medicare prescription plan (also known as Part D)
o
It is voluntary to join a Medicare
prescription drug plan
o
They ask for
personal information, such as your Medicare number, Social Security number
and/or bank information
o
These
fraudsters threaten or pressure you to enroll in their plan
o
You will not lose your benefits and have
the entire Open Enrollment Period to decide
o
They may
offer you gifts to enroll in their plan – it’s illegal
· Open Enrollment for Healthcare Marketplace
Coverage in 2023
We have entered the Open Enrollment
Period for the Healthcare Marketplace in New York, which runs from November
1, 2022 to January 31, 2023. During the Open Enrollment Period, you can
enroll for health insurance through the individual marketplace, as well as
make changes to your current health insurance coverage in 2023.
Cost-sharing subsidies are available for eligible policy holders to help
make the cost of health insurance more affordable. Please note that if
you already have a health insurance policy through the individual marketplace
and want to make a change, you can do so on or after November 16th.
2023
health insurance plan details are now available. If you would like to
consult with a trained representative about plan options or subsidies at no
charge prior to selecting your health insurance plan, Navigator Sites are
an excellent resource. The following is the contact information for a local
Navigator Site:
Community
Service Society of New York
Phone:
888-614-5400
Please
make sure to call and schedule an appointment before January 31st to ensure
health care coverage in 2023. You will need to sign up for a health
insurance policy by December 15th in order for it to take effect January 1,
2023.
· Important Changes Coming to New York Medicaid,
Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan Do
you or a family member currently have health insurance through New York
State Medicaid, Child Health Plus or the Essential Plan? When the COVID-19
public health emergency ends, New York State will resume eligibility
reviews and renewals for people enrolled in these programs. This means you
may need to take action to renew your health insurance or the insurance of
your family members. Please visit this web page to view updates as new information becomes
available, including when the COVID-19 public health emergency will end.
·
Frequently
Asked Questions for New Yorkers enrolled through NY State of Health
· Frequently
Asked Questions for New Yorkers enrolled through their Local Department of
Social Services or the New York City Human Resources Administration
Here
are some things you can do now to get ready.
1)
Sign up to
receive SMS/MMS Text alerts from
NY State of Health so you don't miss important health insurance updates,
including when it's time to renew your coverage.
To
subscribe, text START to 1-866-988-0327
Learn
more:
o
SMS/MMS
Text Messaging Privacy Policy
o
SMS/MMS Text Messaging Consent
and Terms of Service
2)
Make sure
your address and contact information is up to date. Make sure NY State of Health has your current
mailing address, phone number and email address so they can contact you
about your health insurance. To
update your information:
o
Call NY State
of Health at 1-855-355-5777 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220)
o
Log into your
account at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, or
o
Contact an enrollment
assistor
If
you enrolled in Medicaid through your county’s
Medicaid office or through New York City’s Human Resources Administration, contact that office to update your address and
contact information.
· NYC
Well: Free, confidential mental health
support in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365. Call 888-NYC-WELL or text
“WELL” to 65173.
· Mental
Health for All: A comprehensive hub with helplines and services
that offer a range of free, direct support to meet the needs of all New
Yorkers. Access resources at https://mentalhealthforall.nyc.gov/.
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Food
· Greenmarkets:
The 82nd Street
Greenmarket on East 82nd
Street between First and York is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The Dag Hammarskjold Plaza Greenmarket at 2nd Avenue
and 47th Street is open Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m.
The Union Square Greenmarket is open Mondays,
Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m.
The Roosevelt
Island Greenmarket is open Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m at Good Shephard Plaza just under the Helix near Foodtown.
GrowNYC farmers markets are a great
chance for community members to access the freshest, most nutritious
locally-grown food the region has to offer.
Please
note that shoppers can use their SNAP/EBT/P-EBT benefits at the market!
When customers spend $2 in SNAP/EBT/P-EBT, they receive a bonus $2 Health
Buck (up to $10 per day) to purchase additional fruits and vegetables!
· Lenox
Hill Neighborhood House Fresh Food Box:
Every Tuesday from 2:30-6:30 at First Avenue and 70th Street. Pay
one week in advance for an equitably-priced, pre-assembled box of healthy,
fresh fruits and vegetables grown primarily by regional farmers and sourced
through GrowNYC Wholesale!! (Yes,
equitably-priced - just $7 for SNAP card holders - and with generous enough
portions some folks share a weekly box!!)
More information available here.
· NYC Neighborhood Food Resource Guides: Hunter College New York City Food Policy Center
has compiled these resource guides to help New Yorkers find free and
low-cost food resources in their community, as well as social services and
additional resources for New Yorkers.
o
NYC Food
Resource Guide: Upper East Side
o
NYC Food
Resource Guide: Midtown
o
NYC Food
Resource Guide: Stuyvesant Town/Turtle Bay
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Housing
· Affordable
Housing Application Now Open for the Norfolk Senior Apartments: The City of New York has opened the affordable
housing lottery application process for the Norfolk Senior Apartments.
Located at 64 Norfolk Street, the new building is a 16-story mixed-use
building, including a full-floor suite with a lounge, game room,
yoga/activity room, and a social services office.
To
qualify, applicants must be or have at least one household member who is 62
years of age or older at the time of the application and meet the income
and household size requirements listed in the requirement below.
For interested prospective tenants, please click here to apply
online.
To obtain a paper application
send a self-addressed envelope to: Norfolk Senior Apartments c/o
K&G Upright Consulting. 638 E. 169th St. 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10459
All
applications must be submitted online or postmarked by the deadline of
Monday, December 5th, 2022.
Applications are reviewed through a lottery process managed by the City of
New York. Preference for a percentage of units goes to residents of
Manhattan Community Board 3 (50%) and municipal employees (5%). A
percentage of units is set aside for applicants who are mobility-disabled
(5%) and vision/hearing impaired (2%).
· Affordable
Housing Lotteries: You can view
open affordable housing lotteries on the NYC Housing Connect website here: https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/search-lotteries
·
NYC Property Tax
Rebate Program Deadline Extended: The
deadline to apply for a $150 property tax rebate has been extended to March
15, 2023, for homeowners who couldn’t apply by the Nov. 15 deadline due to
an extenuating circumstance. Think you qualify? More info on how to apply
here: www.nyc.gov/propertytaxrebate. To be eligible, the property (a one, two or
three-family residence or a co-op or condominium unit) must be the primary
residence of owners with a combined annual adjusted gross income under
$250,000 in tax year 2020. If you did not already receive the
rebate earlier this year you can learn more and apply here. You
can also view this short
YouTube tutorial on how to
apply (which shows how to start at that DOF page).
·
Home Fire
Safety Information: The FDNY offers information on fire safety best practices at www.fdnysmart.org.
·
Heat Season
Rules: The City
Housing Maintenance Code and State Multiple Dwelling Law require building
owners to provide heat and hot water to all tenants. Building owners are
required to provide hot water 365 days a year at a constant minimum
temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Between
October 1st and May 31st, a period designated as “Heat Season,” building
owners are also required to provide tenants with heat under the following
conditions:
• Between the hours of 6AM and
10PM if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside
temperature is required to be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Between the hours of 10PM and
6AM the inside temperature is required to be at least 62 degrees
Fahrenheit. Note that there is no longer any outside temperature
requirement for night hours
Tenants who
are cold in their apartments should first attempt to notify the building
owner, managing agent or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the
tenant should call the City’s Citizen Service Center at 311. For the
hearing-impaired, the TTY number is (212) 504-4115. The Center is open 24
hours a day, seven days a week.
· NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) hosts Buildings
After Hours, their in-person information session with DOB staff every
Tuesday from 4 – 7 pm in each local DOB borough office. (Manhattan’s DOB
office is at 280 Broadway, 4th Floor). More details are available here: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/buildingsafterhours-sn.pdf.
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Jobs, Job Training, Residencies, Internships,
Fellowships
· New York City Needs Snow Laborers: registration is now open for those
interested in working as Emergency Snow Laborers for the 2022-2023 winter
season. Emergency Snow Laborers are per-diem workers who remove snow and
ice from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants and step streets after heavy
snowfalls. Snow Laborers earn $17 per hour to start, and $25.50 per hour
after 40 hours are worked in a week. Snow laborers must be at least 18
years of age, be eligible to work in the United States, and capable of
performing heavy physical labor. Additionally, candidates must be
vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. All applicants must bring the
following items at the time of registration:
o
Two
small photos (1 ½ square)
o
Original and copy of two forms of
identification
o
Social Security card
o
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
Those interested in
becoming a Snow Laborer must register for an application appointment
at nyc.gov/snow.
Registration appointments take place at the Department’s 59 garages.
Applicants should not attend the appointment if they have any COVID-19
symptoms.
· MTA Police Officer Recruitment: The
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department is seeking highly
motivated, qualified individuals for the position of Police Officer. MTA
Police Officers are responsible for ensuring the safety of MTA customers
and employees and for protecting property throughout the MTA’s New York and
Connecticut operating regions (New York City, Long Island, Upstate NY, and
Connecticut) on Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and the Staten
Island Railway. MTAPD is an accredited service police department, and
assignments may include uniformed patrol, detective division, anti-crime
unit, communications unit, administrative services, highway patrol, canine
unit, emergency services unit, and counter-terrorism unit. Successful
candidates must be capable of meeting all the challenges of the job. The
MTA Police Officer filing is open from December 1 – December 31, 2022. To
learn more and apply, please go to: https://new.mta.info/careers/become-a-police-officer.
· Part-time
Medical Escorts Needed to Accompany Older Adults on Vital Appointments: Search and Care seeks compassionate chaperones –
Medical Escorts -- to accompany older adults safely from the upper east or
upper west side to/from medical and other vital healthcare
appointments. Candidates will be
asked for proof of COVID vaccinations and have at least one weekday
availability for 4-6 hours between 8:30 and 5pm. Bilingual (Spanish) a
plus. Pay rate is hourly, no
benefits; agency covers cost of background check. Please contact Robin
Strashun at 212-289-5781 or [email protected].
· New York State Career Center Events and
Recruitment: New York's Career Centers offer a variety
of classes, workshops, job fairs, job clubs including virtual career fairs
and virtual workshops, including informational sessions on a variety of
topics.For a complete schedule, visit https://statistics.labor.ny.gov/career-zone/career-calendar.shtml.
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Volunteer
and Donation Opportunities
·
Donate or
Volunteer at the Winter Free Store: The Upper East Side Welcome Committee is hosting a Winter
Free Store in partnership with Project 12.31 and the Manhattan Church
of Christ's Community of Hope. All items are free, and everyone is welcome.
We are excited to announce that our wonderful friend and advisory board
member, Carl Garrison, will be hosting the Free Store at his church on the
Upper East Side!
o When: Saturday, December 10th 2pm-4pm
o Where: Manhattan Church of Christ, 48
E. 80th St (between Park and Madison Ave)
To Donate: We are looking for the items listed
below. Donations can be dropped off at the Manhattan Church of Christ, 48
E. 80th Street, on Saturdays from 8AM-2PM between now and 12/10/22. Please
notify Carl Garrison when you will be dropping off items by texting
917-714-4026. When you arrive, text Carl again and use the buzzer to buzz
the church. You can also purchase items for donation from our wishlist,
which will be delivered to the event. We will NOT accept furniture,
off-season clothing, or stained/damaged items. We are also including a
holiday section where shoppers can select a gift, so unused gift items are
greatly appreciated! If you have any questions about donations, please
email [email protected].
o Gently used/new adult, kid, and baby
SEASONAL (winter!) clothing and accessories: coats, gloves, hats,
boots (men’s clothing is especially needed)
o NEW adult underwear/socks
o NEW or UNOPENED toiletries: soap,
deodorant, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair products, cosmetics bags,
shaving cream, etc.
o Unwrapped new (or
unused/unopened) holiday gift items
To volunteer: We need LOTS of volunteers to help on
the day of the event! Sign up to volunteer here or
reach out to [email protected] if you would like
to volunteer on December 10th!
·
Join a Team TLC shift to welcome new neighbors
arriving at the Port Authority.: Team TLC NYC,
an affiliate group of Grannies Respond/Abuelas Responden, is a grassroots
organization committed to providing basic needs and support to asylum
seekers and immigrants. They have been leading the effort to greet migrants
who are arriving in NYC by bus (some at Port Authority and some at the
Megabus stop at W. 34th St), and they need volunteers every day of the
week. In addition to providing a warm welcome, volunteers help migrants
make their way to shelters, connect with family or friends, and secure bus
tickets if they want to travel elsewhere. Volunteers also provide food,
clothing, and toiletries to help meet folks' immediate needs. Volunteers
who speak Spanish are especially needed, but folks who don't can be
helpful, too. Learn more and sign up for a shift here.
· GENuine
Connections Intergenerational Volunteer Opportunity: DOROT is excited to launch GENuine Connections, a
free, virtual program, where teens and older adults connect in small groups
on a weekly basis to bridge the
generational gap and have fun doing it. Do you know an adult aged 65+ or a
high school student looking for a new volunteer opportunity? Find out more here.
· Volunteer
Opportunities for those interested in helping Asylum Seekers:
o
NYC/Catholic
Charities is looking for people to volunteer at the asylum seeker
navigation center: http://tinyurl.com/4n5h3nbu
o
NY
Immigration Coalition: https://www.nyic.org/get-involved/volunteer/
o
Grannies
Respond (one of the primary groups greeting people at Port
Authority): https://www.granniesrespond.org/volunteer.
· Donation Drive for Asylum Seekers: Manhattan Borough
President Mark Levine and the New York Immigration Coalition are sponsoring
a clothing and toiletry donation drive for newly arrived asylum seekers,
migrants and immigrants.
o
What to
Donate: Toiletries (body wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrushes,
toothpaste, shaving cream, nail clippers, menstrual products (unopened),
baby/body wipes, bath towels, face cloths, diapers). New and Packaged
Clothing (underwear, socks, t-shirts for men, women and children).
o
Where to Donate: 1 Centre Street, 19th Floor, South
Side, M-F 9am-5pm or 431 West 125th Street, M-F 10am-5pm.
For questions or information, visit tinyurl.com/57bfye67, email [email protected] or call 212-669-8300.
·
Partnerships for Parks, It’s My Park Program: The It’s My Park
program provides opportunities to help care for parks across the city by
lending a hand to beautify a neighborhood green space. Volunteer
opportunities are available for individuals and groups year-round. Click
here for more information.
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Social
and Legal Services
· Lifelong
Skills Opportunity Center Open House: On
Thursday December 8th from 12-3 at Greenwich House, 27 Barrow
Street, 4th Floor. Workshops on Healthy Cooking &
Technology, Meet & Greet Staff and Light Refreshments. LSOC also offers
Financial Counseling services on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10am -
12pm. On Mondays & Wednesdays from 9 - 11am & 2-4pm computer
use, printing & scanning assistance will be available. For more
information, call 212.242.4140 x 261 or email [email protected]’
· Affordable
Connectivity Program: The
Affordable Connectivity Program is available to help you pay for broadband
internet service! Qualifying individuals and families can receive up to $30
per month off their broadband costs. You can learn more about and sign up
for the Affordable Connectivity Program here: GetInternet.gov.
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Resources for Older Adults & Caregivers
·
LiveOn NY
Benefits Outreach and Assistance: LiveOn NY’s Benefits Outreach and
Assistance program works to ensure older New Yorkers can make ends meet
through easy access to public benefits in New York City. They offer
benefits screenings and application assistance for SNAP (Food Stamps) and
other benefits programs. For assistance call 212-398-5045, email [email protected] or complete their Confidential Benefits Screening
Form.
·
VOLS Legal
Support for Older Adults: The VOLS Senior Law Project serves low income
New Yorkers age 60+ by partnering with pro bono attorneys to provide wills,
powers of attorney, and other essential life planning documents free of
charge. For more information and to access support, visit https://volsprobono.org/projects/seniorlaw/. They also publish a
helpful guide to live planning documents and decision making which is
accessible here
·
Health Advocates
for Older Adults Health Aging Calendar: Health Advocates’ Healthy Aging Program strives
to help seniors remain healthy, active, and connected to their communities,
both online and in person. They offer a wide array of activities, including
exercise classes, technology training, music, movies and tours of local
venues- some weekly and others on various dates throughout the year. For a
list of upcoming activities and dates/times, please view their calendar here.
·
Classes for
Seniors in New York City: If you’re an older adult in New York, you can
take part in live, in-person and online
classes to learn
new skills, discover ways to save money, and find a community where you can
get in shape and make new friends. Senior Planet offers courses, programs,
and activities that enhance the lives of older adults. Please join us! Got
questions? Call our Senior Planet in NYC hotline:(917) 936-4410
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Resources for Small Businesses and Non-Profits
·
Information
on Contracting with New York City: New to, or interested in, contracting with the City of New York? Check out this new resource by
the Mayor's Office of Contract Services: Your Path to Contracting
with the City.
Your Path to Contracting
with the City is a visual representation of a vendor's typical roadmap to
contracting with the City of New York. Clicking the image will
take you to a new resource page with information and links
to select learning resources.
· Free
Tech help for Businesses: The
Manhattan Chamber of Commerce offers free tech help to small businesses. At
a 30-minute, one-on-one phone consultation with their tech expert, learn
how to improve your online strategy and get advice about a range of digital
business processes, from building and managing a website, honing your
marketing strategy, online payments, or setting up a database or how to use
Customer Relationship Management software for yourself or your team. Click here to make an appointment..
· The
PACE Small Business Development Center provides no-cost, one-on-one business
counseling to entrepreneurs in New York City. Our advisors guide both
existing small business owners as well as entrepreneurs with emerging
ventures and discuss a range of topics including marketing, digital media,
financing, business planning, government contracting, and more. Sign up
here to schedule an appointment: https://www.pacesbdc.org/contact. They also host regular webinars on issues
impacting businesses which can be viewed here: https://www.pacesbdc.org/events.
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In-Person & Virtual Community Activities
· 36th Annual Miracle on
Madison Avenue Holiday Event: The 36th Annual Miracle on Madison
Avenue holiday event shall take place on Saturday, December 3. For this
annual tradition, participating businesses shall donate 20% of the day’s
sales to the pediatric programs of The Society of
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Strolling carolers,
special in-store programming and holiday cheer make this day a very special
one, where your holiday shopping counts for so much more! For more
information and a list of participating retailers, click here.
If you can’t make it to shop in-person on
December 3, but still want your holiday shopping to count for so much more,
please call or email the “Miracle Personal Shopper” at each participating
business. Tell the Miracle Personal Shopper that you want your purchase to
be rung up on Miracle Saturday to benefit The Society of MSK, and they will
ship your purchase directly to you. Note that this is exclusively a Madison
Avenue program; online purchases from these businesses will not be credited
to The Society of MSK.
The wonderful 3D Design team from The School of
Visual Arts (led by Professor Kevin O’Callaghan), is presenting their take
on the classic “dog house” for an installation on Madison Avenue throughout
the holiday season. Each student artwork will be illuminated within an 8′
lucite case, and will feature whimsical dog photos placed along the base.
The artworks will be unveiled in early December, and will also celebrate
the 75th anniversary of the school.
Meet The MSK Caring Canine Therapy Dogs and take your
complimentary holiday portrait with your dog at the event hospitality tent
located in front of Frick Madison at 945 Madison Avenue (74-75 Streets).
Enjoy this wonderful holiday keepsake, taken by renowned celebrity
photographer Andrew Werner (11am-5pm).
Present your receipt for any purchase made on
Miracle Saturday at any Miracle participating business and receive a
complimentary custom illustration of your dog by renowned pet portrait
artist Andrea Caceres
(12pm-4pm). Portraits & illustrations are offered on a first-come,
first served basis, and are available only while supplies last.
· Annual Carl Schurz Park Holiday Tree
Lighting: Sunday December 4 at 5 p.m., 86th Street and East
End Avenue
· Silent Disco: Dance Party: NYC Parks is
hosting a Silent Disco on Friday December 9 from 6-8 p.m at the Constance
Baker Motley Recreation Center, 348 East 54th Street. Dancercise
to your hearts content while twisting, swinging, clapping and stepping to
the hottest melodies. RSVP here.
· The U.S. and the Holocaust Film
Screening: On Monday, December 12 at 6:00 p.m., Roosevelt House and the
Jewish Studies Center at Hunter College are presenting a screening of
selected clips from the new Ken Burns series The U.S. and The Holocaust
followed by a discussion featuring co-director and producer Sarah
Botstein in conversation with longtime Ken Burns collaborator, the
writer of this and many other Ken Burns productions, Geoffrey C.
Ward. The U.S. and the
Holocaust is a three-part, six-hour PBS series examining America’s
response to one of the greatest humanitarian crises of the 20th century.
Register for the event here.
· Chanukah Classical Music
Extravaganza: On Wednesday, December 14th from 6:30
– 8 pm, at the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center, E. 65th St. & 5th Ave,
A musical evening celebrating Chanukah, conceived and sponsored by Dr.
Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, featuring Grammy winners Anthony Roth
Costanzo and Angel Blue; orchestra collective The Knights and the Brooklyn
Youth Chorus, conducted by Eric Jacobsen, with cantorial soloist Steven Fox
and commentary by Shalom Goldman of Middlebury College. Program includes Handel’s
celebrated oratorio on Chanukah themes, some of his most exquisite arias,
and an exploration of the work of contemporary composers Carlos Simon
written especially for Costanzo and the BYC, and a 20th-century reimagining
of traditional folk music. Free tickets for the in-person or virtual events
are available here.
· Sutton Seasonal Singalong & Light
Show: On Saturday December 17th at 5 p.m. the Sutton Place
Parks Conservancy is hosting the Sutton Seasonal Singalong & Light Show
which will include free hot chocolate & whipped cream. And, to add to
the festivities, special lighting will be installed as well. Lastly, join
the Sutton Singing Songbirds, under the direction of Jarett Winters Morley
(of South Pacific on the River fame) for the singalong! The event will take
place in
the park at 57th Street, just east of Sutton Place.
· Eyes on Iran Exhibit at FDR Four
Freedoms State Park: Eyes On Iran is an extraordinary art installation
at Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park on Roosevelt Island. Visitors are invited to experience the
park in an entirely new way through the eyes of these participating artists
and their poignant pieces. World-famous
artist Shirin Neshat has recreated her Offered Eyes on the park’s Grand
Stairs, and you will be greeted at the entrance with a commanding piece
titled Masha by Sheida Soleimani.
As you walk through the park, you'll find five additional site-specific
pieces, including Artist Z's enormous Baraye, meaning "on
behalf of." Eyes On Iran
will be on view through the end of the year (weather permitting).
The
exhibition is created in partnership with the artist collective For Freedoms, a coalition of Iranian women leaders,
and Vital Voices Global Partnership. Four Freedoms Park
Conservancy partners with New York State Parks to provide free public
programs that inspire conversation about the Four Freedoms and the legacy
of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.The park is open 9AM-5PM every day
except Tuesday and entrance is free. All are welcome to experience
this unique New York State park.
· Holiday
Fairs:
o
The Grand Central
Terminal Holiday Fair Returns. After a 2 year hiatus, the holiday fair will
run from Nov 14th through Dec 24th. Get information here.
o
The Bryant Park Winter
Village is back with Activities and Holiday Shops. You can find more
information here.
o
Union Square Park Holiday
Market will run Nov 17th - Dec 24th. Find more information here.
·
City Parks Foundation Programs:
o Senior
Fitness Classes for those
60+ at NYC parks. In Manhattan, they offer yoga in Carl Schurz Park and
tennis in Central Park, among many other classes. View more classes and
register here or contact
[email protected] or call (718) 760-6999 with any questions.
·
Lincoln
Center calendar of events
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