| Dear New Yorker, July is Disability Pride Month and this year marks the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act! We honor the diversity and uniqueness of each person in the disability community and celebrate people who have disabilities. To all New Yorkers with disabilities – Happy Disability Pride Month! Yesterday evening Mayor Adams hosted a Caribbean Heritage Reception at Gracie Mansion. Caribbean and West Indian communities contribute so much vibrancy to the fabric of New York City. I hope New Yorkers found an opportunity to honor and celebrate the Caribbean community during Caribbean American Heritage Month in June. I wish all New Yorkers have a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend! I encourage folks to visit our beaches, stay safe, and have fun! In partnership, Fred Kreizman Commissioner, Community Affairs Unit Key Updates: The New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, Project Access for All, and the Office of the Public Advocate present the first hybrid Disability Unite Festival on July 17th, 2022 at the Central Park Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park, New York City from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Featuring performances by Blessing Offor, Lachi, Gaelynn Lea, Wheelchair Sports Camp and more, the festival will commemorate the 32nd anniversary of theAmericans with Disabilities Act and honor the milestones in equity and accessibility achieved by advocates in the disability community over past three decades. As the first ever hybrid festival celebrating disability pride, everyone can join either in person or virtually. Attendees register at no cost here. The Festival is for the NYC Community, by the NYC Community. It is the sum total of our collective advocacy and imagination and artists with disabilities and non-disabled allies are invited to submit artwork for display! Artists of all ages, disciplines and skill levels — especially disabled artists — are encouraged to submit their work to be featured. We hope for this to be an opportunity for artists and organizations to highlight their advocacy for the disability community, give communities a space to explore social justice through art, and spotlight incredible artistry for the world to see! It’s easy to participate. Create an artwork inspired by one these themes: Disability Pride, Our Community, or A Future of Inclusion. Then scan or take pictures/recordings of their artwork and upload them to this form here. Disability Unite Festival also offers city agencies, organizations and employee resource groups the opportunity to connect with our communities. Organizations can partner in this event by becoming a Project Access For All Partner here, or signing up for a table. Limited table space available, sign up here. Free Summer Meals Starts June 28 Breakfast and lunch will continue beyond the instructional school year. Our Summer Meals Program is available throughout New York City to anyone ages 18 years old and under. Designated public schools, community pool centers, parks, and food trucks will be open for service. No registration, documentation, or ID is necessary to receive a free breakfast or lunch meal. Menus Breakfast and lunch meals reflect the NYC Department of Education’s commitment to the highest standard of nutrition. Our meals meet or exceed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards and do not use food additives such as artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. We offer a variety of fresh fruit, whole grains, vegetables, and salads for children to enjoy. Use the Find A Location Search(Open external link) to view the menu(s) served at that location. No Trash, Recycling or Compost Collection, nor Street Cleaning, on Independence Day, Monday, July 4, 2022 The New York City Department of Sanitation announced that in observance of Independence Day, there will be no trash, recycling or compost collection, nor street cleaning, on Monday, July 4, 2022. Residents who normally receive Monday trash or compost collection may place their material at the curb between 4 p.m. and midnight Monday evening, however there will be collection delays, as is common after holidays. We appreciate patience as we work to collect the backlog of material. Residents who normally receive Monday recycling collection should place their material out at curbside between 4 p.m. and midnight on Sunday, July 10 for pickup on Monday, July 11. Additionally, all Sanitation Department administrative offices will be closed on Monday, July 4 in observance of the holiday. For questions about Sanitation services and holiday schedules contact 311 or visit nyc.gov/sanitation. ASPCA “Kitty Hall” Pet Adoption Event Wednesday July 6, 2022 – Noon to 2PM City Hall Sidewalk – Broadway and Murray In advance of National Kitten Day, please join the ASPCA and the NYC Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit for a special pet adoption event at City Hall! All are welcomed, including the public, to visit adoptable kittens, cats, dogs, and puppies as well as to learn about how you can help besides adopting, including fostering, volunteering, and more! The NYC Civic Engagement Commission (CEC) is launching NYC’s first ever citywide Participatory Budgeting process! Residents across the 5 boroughs will be able to decide how to spend $5 million of public funding. To kick-off Phase 1: Idea Generation, the CEC is releasing a Request for Information (RFI) application for groups, entities, and organizations to apply for funding to hold Idea Generation Sessions and to support civic engagement activities in their community. In these sessions, residents can discuss their needs and priorities, learn about Participatory Budgeting, and share ideas. The application will be open to all NYC residents, including but not limited to community-based organizations, faith-based groups, school clubs, community boards, and M/WBEs. Applicants must submit an RFI by July 8, 2022 to be considered. Important Details: RFI Application: on.nyc.gov/citywidepb Accessible Version of RFI for applicants who use screen readers: https://bit.ly/CECRFIAV Applicants can view Frequently Asked Questions here: https://bit.ly/CECRFIFAQ. Applicants with brief, clarifying questions can contact us at: participate@civicengagement.nyc.gov To discuss more detailed questions, applicants can schedule a virtual office hours appointment with the CEC staff using this form: https://bit.ly/CECIGOH Alternate Side Parking (ASP) Update Beginning July 5, 2022 alternate side parking regulations for street cleaning will be restored to pre-pandemic frequency as posted on the signage throughout the City. We are excited to be getting more of the tools we need to do our job of keeping the city healthy, safe, and clean When is street cleaning on my street? You can look up the ASP rules on street cleaning signs on specific streets by using the Parking Sign Locator map. Need more information? Learn more about ASP on the City’s 311 information page. The Districting Commission The Districting Commission is responsible for drawing new City Council maps. Public testimony also can be submitted by email to publictestimony@redistricting.nyc.gov or by mail: 253 Broadway, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10007. The Commission can be followed on Twitter at @districtingNYC. www.nyc.gov/districting. Public Hearings July 6 Bronx – Hostos Community College, CUNY July 7 Staten Island – Borough Hall Commission votes on Council maps July 18th Public Hearings August 15, 16, 17, 18 & 22 Commission votes on Council maps September 15 Commission submits plan to City Council September 16 A School Without Walls Program, a new NYCDOE high school program offering students a new way of learning through Hybrid and Virtual schooling pathways, gives students the independence of remote learning, while grounding their education in an array of individualized, interdisciplinary, project-based learning and internship opportunities. The Hybrid pathway blends in-person and remote learning opportunities, and supports students’ socio-emotional wellness while also prioritizing individualized academic support both in-person and remotely. Students in the Hybrid pathway will attend classes in person on a half day schedule at 131 Livingston Street in Brooklyn and will then participate remotely by engaging in both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (at their own pace) learning. The Virtual pathway will offer a fully remote program using an interdisciplinary, project-based model, along with deep and meaningful community building to ensure wellness and success in a virtual environment, as well as daily synchronous attendance and advisory, daily synchronous humanities or STEM sessions, and instructional sessions for social studies, science, health, lab, art/music, and elective courses. Applications for rising 9th graders are currently open. Families can apply by starring A School Without Walls Program Hybrid or Virtual pathway in their MySchools accounts through Wednesday, July 6th To learn more, visit A School Without Walls’ website and join a virtual information session. In case you missed it: Today @mayorsCAU attended the 125th Street Community Engagement Center with 125th Street BID President Barbara Askins! pic.twitter.com/rylRJRLJrV — Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) June 28, 2022 Last week @mayorsCAU did some outreach work in the field with @NYC_SBS in Woodhaven on Jamaica Avenue. Thank you to the small business owners, @woodhavenbid, & Queens Community Board 9 for your partnership! pic.twitter.com/m9zeZqv7nH — Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) June 27, 2022 Highlights From the City Hall Press Office: Highlights from the Press Office: Signing of Bipartisan Gun Bill into Law: Mayor Adams advocated for federal action to address gun violence when he testified before Congress in June. The Mayor released a statement after President Biden signed the bipartisan bill that will incentivize red flag laws, enhance background checks, strengthen penalties to deter straw purchasing and trafficking, provide additional funding, and more. We will continue to work with our federal partners on more bipartisan proposals to end gun violence. Mayor Adams Signed Two Pieces of Affordable Housing Legislation: The Mayor signed Intro. 588 which extends the city’s rent stabilization laws until April 1, 2024, in recognition of the ongoing housing emergency. The Mayor also signed Intro. 303 which expands the data that DSS and HRA track and report annually regarding the CityFHEPS rental assistance voucher for individuals and families experiencing, or at risk of facing, homelessness due to non-payment of rent. Mayor Adams Released Blueprint for Child Care & Early Childhood Education: Mayor Adams outlined essential steps to provide high-quality, equitable, and accessible child care for thousands of New York City families. The Blueprint aims to support working families and includes increasing outreach for families in temporary housing, expanding opportunities for early childhood professionals, and cutting red tape for background checks. Federal Lawsuit Against Ghost Gun Online Retailers: Mayor Adams and Corporation Counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix announced a lawsuit against five online retailers that have and continue to illegally sell and deliver gun components that are used to assemble illegal and untraceable firearms — known as ghost guns — into the city. The gun components were shipped directly to an address in New York City, in violation of New York state and New York City laws making such sales illegal. West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency: Mayor Adams released a statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency. This ruling removes a key ability of the federal government to regulate emissions from power plants throughout the nation, leaving New Yorkers and all frontline communities more vulnerable to increasingly severe hurricanes and coastal storms, longer and hotter heat waves, and more droughts. We will continue to work with partners to mitigate the impact this misguided decision will have on our communities. Additional Resources: GetFoodNYC: Get a map of food resources across the city Use this map to find locations that offer free food (food pantries and soup kitchens), as well as grocery stores and farmers’ markets. NYC WELL NYC Well is your connection to free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365. Contact NYC Well by calling 888-NYC-WELL (888-692-9355), texting “WELL” to 65173 or chatting at nyc.gov/nycwell. Mental Health For All MentalHealthforAll.nyc.gov is a new comprehensive hub with helplines and services that offer a range of free, direct support to meet the needs of all New Yorkers, including young people, communities of color, and people with serious mental illness. Everyone has been affected in some way by this past year, and our mission is to ensure that every person has the support they need. Visit MentaHealthforAll.nyc.gov to find mental health resources and substance misuse support that meet your needs. Notify NYC As part of New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), Notify NYC is New York City’s dedicated emergency public communications program. Notify NYC staff operate 24×7 out of Watch Command, where they constantly monitor emergency activity in New York City and the metropolitan area. https://a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/Home/About Mayor’s Office–Community Affairs 253 Broadway 9th Fl New York, NY 10007 United States |