John,

● We had our first Stated of the month this week! Read more about the legislation that passed and we signed on to below.

● Asylum seekers in our community still need your help. Check out our webpage about what is needed most by our newest neighbors.

● Our spring postcard should be hitting doors soon! Send us a picture when you get one, and we’ll highlight it on social media.

Stated Recap

February’s first Stated was a busy one on our end. A package of bills I co-sponsored designed to improve affordable housing passed, notably one including new rules reporting on the results of lotteries administered by the Department of Preservation and Development (HPD). Far too often, we hear from constituents curious about how these programs work, now we will have some better answers thanks to this legislation’s attempt to make this process more transparent! Another bill that passed, will require any housing built with public assistance to incorporate more universal design in its building plans. A win for disability justice! Lastly, two resolutions I also co-sponsored, calling on the City to designate Lunar New Year as a City holiday passed! While this bill is not legally binding, I know we’re one step closer to making this important holiday a true citywide celebration.

On the introduction front, I introduced a bill with Council Members Brewer and Ayala to make accessing IDNYC easier. As more and more asylum seekers come into our City who have their documents taken by immigration officials at the border, having a municipal ID is critical to accessing services. While IDNYC is a great program, there are still several cumbersome issues that our legislation seeks to address. Our legislation would allow for in-person appointments, on-site appeal if an application is denied, and would codify the ability to renew online.

We also introduced two important resolutions, one calling on the City Department of Education (DOE) to develop a religiously competent curriculum on world cultures and faiths. As far too many young people face religious discrimination in New York City, we need proactive investments in education to stop hate in its tracks. I was also proud to introduce a resolution with Council Member Farías, recognizing 2/21 as Mother Language Day. This holiday celebrates the struggle that led to the Bangladesh independence movement and the importance of our mother tongue here in New York City and at home in Bangladesh.

I also signed on to the following bills introduced by my colleagues:

● A bill from Council Member Avilés to translate the citizen’s air complaint portal into the designated citywide languages.

● A resolution from Council Member Cabán calling on the State to pass legislation to protect youth during police interrogations.

● A resolution from Council Member Farías calling on the State to create a "purple alert system" for missing victims of domestic violence.

● A resolution from Council Member Riley calling on the State to pass the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act, which would amend state law to provide an authentic legal pathway to criminal conviction exoneration.

● A resolution from Council Member Hudson calling on the State to pass the "New York City Teleworking Expansion Act” to codify the right to remote work.

● And lastly, a bill from Council Member Schulman requiring the City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to maintain a permanent COVID-19 risk system.

Next Stated is on 2/16 - more to come!

The School Tour Continues

This week, our district-wide school tour brought me down to the southern portion of our district in Borough Park to West Brooklyn Community High School. This high school is a “transfer” school - a high school designed to help re-engage students that might have fallen behind or dropped out for a certain period of time. These schools typically receive more services, workforce development, and postgraduate support to ensure these students are primed for success. Throughout our tour, it was clear there is a tight-knit community of students, teachers, and facilitators all focused on success and care! I spoke to a number of students (40% of which have an Individual Education Plan or are English Language Learners) who couldn’t speak highly enough of the help they’ve received from the school staff and community. This holistic support and intentional workforce development is exactly the kind of school model I would like to see across Brooklyn, and at West Brooklyn Community High, we have the amazing work of Good Shepherd Services to thank.

Our school tour is far from over and I’ll be sure to report back as it continues!

Council Member Hanif posing with students from West Brooklyn Community High School

Community Bulletin

● It’s Tax Season! Returns for tax season this year are due on 4/18, and to help you out, our City offers free tax filing tools to those who make under $72,000. Check out the links provided for more information.

● The 2023 Community Education Council elections are underway, and applications are being accepted now! The 32 Community Education Councils and 4 Citywide Education Councils make important decisions regarding your child’s education. Please do not miss this opportunity to have your voice heard on behalf of your child, your school, and your school community. You must have a New York City Schools Account to apply. If you have any questions visit the Election Homepage or send an email to [email protected].

● Help Wanted! DCAS and DC 37 are hosting an NYC Government Job Fair on Saturday, 2/11 at 10 AM. City agencies are looking to fill a wide range of positions from Administration & Human Resources to Engineering, Architecture, and much more. To learn more and register, please visit: https://bit.ly/CareerFairNYC

● First Tech Fund is recruiting students for their 4th cohort of students in their virtual high school fellowship program. Fellows will participate in weekly virtual workshops around careers and foundational digital skills for the future, be eligible to receive free technology depending on their technology needs (laptop and/or WiFi hotspot), and can opt into mentorship with a young professional. Interested students can learn more about the program here (Spanish translation available here) and apply here or print the application and mail it in. The application is due 4/1 at 7 PM, with no late applications accepted.

● 2023 Winter Outing programs are live! The NYC Winter Outings started on January 17 and will run through 2/12, offering savings on winter experiences across all five boroughs, including prix-fixe NYC Restaurant Week menus at nearly 500 restaurants; 2-for-1 tickets to 22 NYC Broadway Week shows; and 2-for-1 tickets at more than 40 museums, attractions, tours and performing arts for NYC Must-See Week!

● Join Open Source Gallery for their Opening Reception and Artist Talk on 2/11 at 7 PM for IN UNION, a project by Hock E Aye VI Edgar Heap of Birds and Keith Christensen highlighting the native role in a union strike, union families, and environmental protests.

● Are you a STEM Professional? The Terra NYC STEM Fair is a 2-tiered science fair competition that needs STEM professionals as volunteers to serve as judges. Learn more on how to volunteer your time and expertise here.

● The Alzheimer’s Association in partnership with Heights & Hills is starting an Early Stage Dementia Support for those suffering from early-stage Alzheimer, another[1] dementia, or MCI. The program is free, weekly on Mondays from 11 AM - 12:30 PM, and begins on 2/27. Pre-registration by 2/ 22 is required. Contact 800.272.3900 to schedule a pre-registration interview. Please allow 2 business days for a response.

● Help shape the plans for the restoration of the Prospect Park Lakeshore, which received first phase funding from the City Council, at a virtual public meeting on Thursday, February 16. This project will help make the Lake more resilient to climate change, and improve ADA access and wildlife habitat. RSVP: www.prospectpark.org/lakeshore-meeting

In Solidarity,

Shahana