Dear Neighbor,

This email includes 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

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

·      NYC Department of Health Mask Advisory

·      COVID-19 and the Holiday Season

·      COVID Treatment

Community Update Contents:

·      Apply to Be on Your Community Board

·      Online & In-Person Meetings, Town Halls, and Webinars

·      COVID-19 and the Economy

·      Physical and Mental Health Care, Health Insurance, Public Health, Research

·      Food

·      Housing  

·      Education

·      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

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Vaccinations

·      General Vaccine Information and Eligibility

·      NYC Vaccine Finder: Find COVID-19 and flu vaccine sites online or call 877-829-4692

·      NYC Health + Hospitals Vaccine Sites: Call 877-829-4692 or Schedule Online

·      Local and Nationwide vaccine sites: https://www.vaccines.gov/search/

·      CVS Pharmacy: Call 800-746-7287 or Schedule Online

·      Rite Aid Pharmacy: Call 800-748-3243 or Schedule Online

·      Walgreens Pharmacy: Call 800-925-4733 or Schedule Online

·      Request an in-home vaccination, including the new Bivalent Pfizer booster shot, (Pfizer vaccine only) if you are an NYC resident who is homebound or age 65+. Sign up online or by calling 877-820-4692.

COVID-19 Testing

·      Order Free at-home COVID-19 tests

·      Find NYC Health + Hospital Testing Sites

·      Check the wait time at NYC Health + Hospital Testing Sites

·      NYC COVID-19 Test Site Finder

COVID-19 Treatment

·      Visit the NYC Health Department COVID-19: When You Are Sick web page for information about how to access available treatment if you contract COVID-19 or Long COVID.

COVID-19 Data

·      NYC Health Department Prevention Guidance

·      NYC Health Department COVID-19 Data

·      NYS Health Department COVID-19 Data

·      CDC COVID-19 Data

·      Check the transmission level in your neighborhood at: NYC Health Department COVID-19 data web page. Click “Transmission” and then “Your Neighborhood.”

COVID-19 Supplies

·      Pick up free COVID-19 at-home rapid tests from City-distribution sites. Click here to see a list of community sites and times when you can pick up a free rapid test kit.

·      COVID.gov: a federal website where you can look up information on where to get free masks, as well as COVID-19 vaccinations, treatment, and testing.

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NYC Health Department Advisory Urges Mask Wearing As NYC Faces High Levels of COVID-19, Influenza and RSV

As New York City enters the holiday season, COVID-19 and other seasonal illnesses are seeing unusually high concurrent spikes. To slow the transmission of these viruses, the New York City Health Commissioner issued a Health Advisory that urges New York City residents to use high-quality masks when indoors and in crowded outdoor settings. This is especially important for people who are – or are meeting – those who are at increased risk for complications from COVID-19, RSV, or the flu, such as those age 65 and older and people who are immunocompromised.

The Commissioner’s Advisory also urges people to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and flu, even if they have been vaccinated previously. Everyone ages six months or older should get their COVID-19 primary series if they haven’t already and receive the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster when eligible. An annual flu shot is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Many pharmacies and doctors’ offices offer both flu and COVID-19 vaccines, and it is safe to get them at the same time.

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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. The federal government has re-started its program to provide free-at home COVID-19 tests through the mail. You can order tests here.

·      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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Apply to Be on Your Community Board

Community Boards are the independent and representative voices of their communities—the most grass-roots form of local government. The Boards are pivotal in shaping their communities and work to enhance and preserve the character of the city’s many unique neighborhoods. Manhattan’s 12 Community Boards are composed of 50 volunteer members serving staggered two-year terms– thus, 25 members are appointed (or reappointed) each year.

Each year, the Manhattan Borough President appoints 300 members to the borough’s 12 Community Boards to serve two-year terms, and applications are now open through 5 pm on March 17, 2023. You can apply here.

The Borough President is especially interested in appointing Manhattanites who have historically been less represented on Community Boards, including youth 16 years or older, public housing residents, and people holding marginalized identities. Borough President Levine is committed to ensuring that Community Boards authentically reflect the diversity of the neighborhoods they represent, lifting up the lived experience and concerns of Manhattanites who have long been disenfranchised.

Community Board members must live, work, or have an otherwise significant interest in the neighborhoods served by the community district, and be a New York City resident. In addition, we look for applicants with histories of community involvement, expertise and skill sets, and attendance at Board meetings. No more than 25 percent of the members of any board may be New York City employees.

Each Board has a budget, a district manager and staff, and has three distinct responsibilities:

• Monitoring the delivery of city services such as sanitation and street maintenance;
• Planning and reviewing land use applications including zoning changes; and
• Making recommendations for each year’s city budget.

Community Boards consider a wide range of issues, including distribution of liquor licenses, consideration of sidewalk café applications, and permits for street fairs and other outdoor events. They may also weigh in issues before the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Board of Standards and Appeals (the city agency dedicated to land-use and zoning regulation), and provide input on proposals from city agencies.

Members are officially appointed by the Manhattan Borough President. Half of the members of these boards are selected unilaterally by the Manhattan Borough President, and half are nominated by the City Council Members whose districts overlap with the Community District.

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Online & In-Person Meetings, Town Halls, and Webinars

·      Shine A Light on Antisemitism on December 19^th: This Chanukah, Shine A Light to dispel the darkness and to say: enough is enough. In the heart of New York City, we’ll publicly display our Jewish identity as we light the menorah together and raise awareness about antisemitism. Join participate in this national demonstration of Jewish pride — with powerful messages from key city and state leaders and lively performances by Jewish musicians — and stand shoulder to shoulder with our greater community and allies. Highlights include:

o   M.C. Ariel Elias, Comedian

o   Performances by The Moshav Band, David Herkowitz formerly of the Miami Boys Choir, The Ramaz Upper School Choir, and the cast of National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish along with Oscar and Tony award winning director of Fiddler on the roof in Yiddish now playing until Jan 1st, Joel Grey.

o   An appearance by Montana Tucker, TikTok Influencer

For more information, visit https://shinealighton.com/event/nyc/.

·      Housing Voucher Seminar: On December 20 at 4:00 PM. The Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing is hosting a Seminar entitled "No Room At The Inn" - an Informational Workshop on Housing Vouchers for Faith Communities, Housing Providers, Voucher Holders and others. Rental subsidy vouchers are among the most effective means of addressing the current crisis of homelessness and the shortage of affordable housing in NYC and beyond. Join Faith Leaders, housing providers, voucher holders and advocates as we discuss how to help more of our neighbors secure affordable housing through the current voucher system as we advocate for more effective use of vouchers to help address the affordable housing Crisis. Click here to register. For further information on this event email Drew Oldfield at [email protected] or call 332-203-0571.

·      “Pathways to Social Housing” Virtual Forum: “Pathways to Social Housing,” from Housing Court Answers, presents a new report from Community Service Society on policies that can encourage conversions from for-profit to social housing models. Presented by Oksana Mironova, Samuel Stein, Celeste Hornbach, and Jacob Udell of CSS. Register here.

·      Navigating the System for People With Developmental Disabilities: YAI is offering online trainings to provide information about eligibility and access to services through the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Information offered in this workshop is relevant only to New York State services. Workshops are open to people with I / DD, parents, family members, caregivers and professionals. To respect the privacy of our attendees, this workshop will not be recorded. Upcomind dates for workshops are:

o   January 18, Noon – 1 p.m. Register here

o   February 8, 6-7 p.m. Register here

·      Retirement Readiness Base Camp: Estate Tax Planning: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, 1:00 to 2:00 PM Instructor Ron Fatoullah, Esq. addresses why no estate is too small to avoid some tax planning. Life happens and you never know what can creep up to put your estate into a taxable category. Learn:

o   What are the ways to protect your estate?

o   How does succession planning work?

o   Why should you think of multiple generations?

o   How do capital gains factor in?

Sponsored by Presbyterian Social Services. 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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COVID-19 and the Economy

·      New York by the Numbers - Monthly Economic and Fiscal Outlook, by NYC Comptroller Brad Lander

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Physical and Mental Health Care, Health Insurance, Public Health, Research

·      Changes to Medicare Savings Programs in 2023:  While Medicare open enrollment for 2023 is now closed, those eligible can still apply for a Medicare Savings Program. Beginning next year, income limits will be raised for the Medicare Savings Program, allowing more people to save money on their healthcare costs.
 
In New York, individuals with monthly incomes of up to $2,107, and couples with monthly incomes of up to $2,838, will be eligible for the Medicare Savings Program. With this increase taking place, it is estimated that as many as 300,000 New York residents can receive the benefits of this program.
 
Those on Medicare Savings Program will automatically be enrolled into Extra Help, which can pay for your drug premium plan, while reducing your drug costs at the pharmacy. In addition, vaccines under Medicare Part D drug plans (including Shingles) will be covered in full. If you have a prescription for insulin, your monthly co-pay is capped at $35.
 
If you have any questions or need assistance to apply, do not hesitate to contact our Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Program (HIICAP) team by calling Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NY (212-244-6469).

·      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 16^th.

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.

·      Do More, Feel Better – A Community Program Against Depression: People 60+ experiencing depression can enroll in a nine-week research program to explore how increasing participation in pleasurable and rewarding activities can lead to improvement in depressive symptoms. The program is conducted by Weill Cornell Medicine, and individual sessions will be completed via telephone or video chat. If you are eligible to participate, you will receive compensation over the course of the program. For more information, contact Kiana, Caroline, or the study team at 844-333-3579 ext. 720 / ext. 714 or [email protected].

·      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.

o   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

o   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

·      Holiday Meals on Christmas Day: Goddard Riverside will be hosting Holiday Meals again on Christmas Day!  Meals will be available for pick up from 12 pm to 3 pm at 593 Columbus Avenue (at 88th Street) and open to anyone.  Limited indoor seating available for guests to eat their meals after picking them up. 

·      Greenmarkets: The 82^nd Street Greenmarket on East 82^nd Street between First and York is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

The Dag Hammarskjold Plaza Greenmarket at 2^nd Avenue and 47^th 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 70^th 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

·      New Rules Regarding Surcharges for Air Conditioners in Rent Regulated Apartments: Prior to the rent laws being updated by Chapter 619 of the Laws of 2022, a five dollar ($5.00) per air conditioner per month surcharge was lawful. Effective November 21, 2022, in rent stabilized and rent controlled apartments, owners are prohibited from the continued collection and from the prospective imposition of a surcharge on a tenant for the use of a tenant-installed air conditioning unit if the tenant pays for the electric utility service. For more information, see HCR Fact Sheet #27 – “Air Conditioners”: https://hcr.ny.gov/fact-sheet-27.

·      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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Education

·      Kindergarten Applications: The kindergarten application is open. Apply by January 20, 2023. This year you can add G&T programs to it, too. In New York City, children enter kindergarten in the fall of the calendar year they turn five, and are guaranteed a kindergarten seat at a public school. Once your child starts kindergarten, they can remain at the same school until its final elementary grade. Watch this video series to learn more about kindergarten admissions.

Need an elementary school for your child now? Learn if your child has a zoned school by entering your address at schoolsearch.schools.nyc or by calling 311.Contact your zoned school directly to enroll. If you don't have a zoned school, contact schools of interest directly or visit a Family Welcome Center for help finding a school.

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Jobs, Job Training, Residencies, Internships, Fellowships

·      Train and Earn: Train & Earn is a vocational training program for young adults (16-24) who are out of school/out of work. Participants receive customer service and food handling certificates, employment readiness and financial literacy training. Instruction is hybrid, and participants receive a Chromebook. Successful participants earn $500 upon completion. Some participants will do 175 hours of paid internship experience. Job placement and access to advanced trainings. Click here to apply.

·      Housing Court Answers Hotline Specialist: Housing Court Answers, an independent nonprofit, seeks a full time Hotline Specialist. They provide non-lawyer assistance to people from information tables in Housing Courts in all 5 boroughs, through a hotline, and for NYCHA tenants at the impartial hearing office. HCA also works on policy issues surrounding Housing Court. Hotline Specialists assist callers with rent arrears and eviction issues, utility arrears, public benefits problems or questions, questions about Housing Court and Housing Court procedures and questions about housing rights and responsibilities. Salary (currently, salary is $51,819) and benefits are negotiated through collective bargaining. Send resume and cover letter to [email protected] with “Hotline Position” in the subject.

·      Try Out to Become a Lifeguard for Summer 2023: Lifeguard Qualifying Tests are being offered this month at various locations around NYC to find out more about becoming a lifeguard, click here.

·      NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship: The NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship is a $8,000 unrestricted cash grant available to artists living in New York State (and/or an Indian Nation within state boundaries). They are currently accepting applications in the categories of Craft/Sculpture, Digital/Electronic Arts, Nonfiction Literature, Poetry, and Printmaking/Drawing/Book Arts. Visit the link at New York Foundation for the Arts to learn more. Application deadline is Wednesday, 1/25/2023 and successful applicants will be notified Summer, 2023. 

·      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

·      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, 19^th Floor, South Side, M-F 9am-5pm or 431 West 125^th Street, M-F 10am-5pm.

For questions or information, visit tinyurl.com/57bfye67, email [email protected] or call 212-669-8300.

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Social and Legal Services

·      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

·      Small Business Growth Accelerator Course: The NYPL has opened applications for a free Small Biz Growth Accelerator course; the deadline to apply is 1/17/23. The program starts Tuesday, 1/24/23, 5 – 8 pm, at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (455 Fifth Avenue, Fifth Floor). It's led by instructor Jimmy Newson, and includes:

o   Two 3-hour in-person workshop-style classes

o   Two additional virtual sessions for Q&A, workshop accountability, and peer networking

o   Strategic Planning Template

o   5 Action Plan Workbooks

o   Financial Literacy Program

o   Accessibility Training Program

o   In-Depth Software demos

For more information, or to apply, click here.

·      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

·      Sutton Seasonal Singalong & Light Show: On Saturday December 17^th 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.

·      Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association Holiday Show:  The RIVAA Gallery’s annual Holiday Exhibition runs from December 17^th to January 11^th . This year’s exhibition, Into Light, will open on December 17, 2022 from 6-9. Amish Darr an acoustic performer based out of Greenpoint, Brooklyn will be playing at RIVAA holiday show on December 17th at 7:30pm. The RIVAA Galery is located at 527 Main Street on Roosevelt Island. For more information, email [email protected].

·      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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