Education Chair CM Rita Joseph, Community Update – December 26, 2022

Community Update: December 26th

Dear Friend,

I hope you’re having a restful holiday season. As a reminder, my office is closed this week, and we will be re-opened on January 2, 2023.

Last week, I introduced a number of bills, including Intro 857. This bill will bring greater transparency to the Department of Education by requiring the Department to disclose metrics on students in foster care and temporary housing. I’m a former foster mom, so passing this bill is a major priority for me. This issue is deeply personal to me, because every time I fight for foster students, I do so with my two sons in mind.

Intro 857 will require the DOE to disaggregate information for students in foster care and temporary housing, two of our most marginalized student populations. Currently, the DOE disaggregates information by gender, grade level, language of instruction, and other metrics, but it does not do so for two of our most vulnerable student populations.They say that sunlight is the best disinfectant, and the greater transparency the DOE brings to our students in foster care and temporary housing, the better off our students will be.Next Thursday, in partnership with CUFFH, my office is hosting an affordable housing pop-up from 12 to 6PM. Come by 930 Flatbush Avenue to meet with a service specialist to apply for affordable housing and get your housing questions answered. More details can be found on the flyers below.

Starting on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 CUNY Citizenship NOW will provide services at our district office at 930 Flatbush Avenue every Tuesday from 10AM to 6PM. If you would like to sign up to receive services, you can do so here. Alternatively, you can reach out to their Contact Center to schedule a legal appointments for their legal staff. CUNY Citizenship Now can be reached at (646) 664-9400 or (212) 652-2071 for an immigration appointment.

The deadline to apply/register for TPS Haiti is on August 3, 2024. Learn more here.

Dat limit pou w aplike/anrejistre pou TPS Aysisyen w se 23 Out 2024. Pou plis detay, ale sou lyen sa a.

As always, my team and I would love to hear from you. No constituent issue is too big or too small for us. We can be reached at 718-287-8762 for community concerns, and 212-788-7352 for legislative or budget concerns. Our office is also available for walk-ins or appointments at 930 Flatbush Avenue, Monday-Thursday. Feel free to reach out to us to share your thoughts on legislation, to inform us about an issue that needs to get fixed in the neighborhood, to help you navigate city agencies, or to invite me to a community event. We hope to hear from you soon!

Best,
Rita


From October 1 – May 31, building owners are required to provide heating and maintain minimum temperatures. If you’re a tenant without heat or hot water, contact your landlord. If they’re unresponsive, file a complaint by calling 311. If you’re a constituent, follow up with our office!
NHS Brooklyn is offering home repair grants to Brooklyn, NY, homeowners of 1-4 family homes, condos, and coops. Homeowners can receive up to $20,000 toward the cost of repairing their homes. Learn more here.


Need help paying your ConEd bill?

Through New York State Electric and Gas Bill Relief Program
Residential customers who receive qualifying government assistance will receive a bill credit on their past-due balance for service through May 1, 2022.

To qualify for a bill credit, you must:
Be enrolled in Con Edison’s Energy Affordability Program by December 31, 2022, or have received benefits under New York state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) or the Home Energy Assistance Program-Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS).

Details here:
https://www.coned.com/…/payment…/help-paying-your-bill
Job Opportunity from St. Gabriel’s Older Adult Center
331 Hawthorne Street

Assistant Director
 
Qualifications   
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Gerontology or Human Services with at least one year of Supervisory Responsibilities, preferably with the aged population, Or, Four-years College Experience working in Community Management or Programs in the field of the aging (Accounting background is a plus)
 
Role
Assist the Director on every task of the Center’s program and activity. Provide Case assistance and information to members and the supervision of the Program Coordinator
 
ResponsibilitiesTrack all incoming vendor bills, compile billing information and statics, including the monthly bank deposits, petty cash receipts and all vendor invoices in a timely manner.Provide and prepare billing reports for accounting purposes.Keep and track all daily attendance logs with required records.Provide and prepare billing reports, maintain service records.Submit all necessary reports to the accountant, no later than 3 days after the end of the month.Maintain safe and sanitary procedures in compliance with the NYC Fire Department, The Health Department Codes and DFTA regulations.Work closely with the Cook and Assistant Cook on all daily food usage records.Prepare the cost analysis of the Food and supply a monthly Inventory.Perform all duties about and in compliance with governmental laws and regulations and the New York City Department for the Aging.Work closely with the Director on assigned tasks, assisting in all other areas, when necessary. 
Salary
This is a part-time position, with 2 weeks paid vacation. The hourly rate is $19.88 for 20 hours per week, with an annual income of $22,730
 
 
For more information, please contact Ms. Judith Villaroel at 718-773-4049
 
Job Opportunity from St. Gabriel’s Older Adult Center
331 Hawthorne Street


Assistant Cook/Meal Preparer
 
QualificationsMinimum  of two (2) years’ experience, as a Cook.Must have a Food Protection Certificate.Must be in good health and the ability to stand for long hours.The ability to speak, read and write in English is necessary, while other languages can be a plus.  
Role
Responsible to work in the kitchen assisting in the entire task assign by the Cook for preparation of breakfast and lunch. On site cooking in the absence of the Cook.
 
ResponsibilitiesAssist the cook in daily menu meal preparation service and clean-up.Perform tasks, relative to the food program as assigned by the cook and Director, including weekly inventory and cleaning schedule.In the absence of the cook, assumes responsibility for cooking and serving of all meals.Assist in recording daily food used menu, quantity of cost, and temperature record.Take food inventory and maintain orderly storage areas.Move, unpack, and store food and supplies.Adhere to health and safety standards.Wash all used pots, pans, and kitchen utensils between meals and at the end of each meal.Daily cleaning of stove, convection oven, all refrigerators/freezers and mop floors.Remove all kitchen garbage and recycle, break-down boxes from deliveries.Bi-weekly or as needed, scour, and deep clean the inside of all stoves, freezers, refrigerators, cabinets.Attend training as required by the Director and the Department of the Aging. 
Salary
This is a part-time position, with 2 weeks paid vacation. The hourly rate is $20.74 for 25 hours per week, with an annual income of $25,943
 
 
For more information, please contact Ms. Judith Villaroel at 718-773-4049
 
An Important Note from Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A

Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (“Brooklyn A or BKA”) is a non-profit legal services provider that provides free services for tenants including eviction prevention, repairs, and tenant association organizing; for homeowners seeking help with foreclosure prevention, bankruptcy, and protection against scams, predatory lending, and deed theft; for taxpayers facing issues with the IRS and New York State; and small business owners and non-profits that need commercial lease assistance. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about the event or BKA’s services, please reach out to info@bka.org or call 718.487.2300.
An Important Note from the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled

If you or someone you know has a disability, the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID) can help you. BCID can give you advice on getting housing, Social Security/Disability insurance, or Medicaid. We can also connect you with people who have similar disabilities. 
BCID also works to make life better for people with disabilities. We advocate for accessible transportation, fair pay for home care workers, and more. All of BCID’s services and advocacy are free, and we serve people with any type of disability. 
For more information about how BCID can help you or how to get involved with our advocacy campaigns, call 718-998-3000 during business hours or write info@bcid.org.
The Brooklyn Bodega invites you to join their in-person events.
The New-York Historical Society offers free online citizenship classes for green card holders preparing for the naturalization interview. The online citizenship course prepares permanent residents for the civics test portion of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization interview. More info can be found here.
Pillars NYC is providing FREE training to become a certified home aide, teacher’s assistant, and more! Sign up here.
Mental Health Crisis Lifeline: 988988 is the new nationwide number for anyone in mental health crisis or concerned about a loved one. You can text or call 24/7 for resources and support. Read more about this service here.
An Important Note from SHARED Cancer Support:

Call SHARE Cancer Supoort’s breast, ovarian, uterine or metastatic breast cancer Helpline and speak with a survivor or caregiver who’s been there. We can answer your questions, talk with you about treatments, help you sort through your options and make informed decisions. We can connect you with a peer whose situation is similar to yours, or we can just listen.
Breast Cancer (toll-free in English and Spanish) 844-275-7427
Ovarian Cancer (toll-free) 866-537-4273
Uterine Cancer (toll-free) 844-582-6005
Espanol (Seno y Ovario) 212-719-4454
Caregivers (toll-free) 844-275-7427
An Important Note from The Community Service Society of New York:

The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) has worked with and for New Yorkers since 1843 to promote economic opportunity and champion an equitable city and state. CSS powers change through a strategic combination of research, services, and advocacy to make New York more livable for people facing economic insecurity. For more information on the CSS visit their website.
DSNY recruits temporary, per diem snow laborers. These workers are called on after heavy snowfalls to remove snow and ice Citywide from areas like bus stops, crosswalks and fire hydrants. Pay starts at $17.00 per hour and increases to $25.50 per hour after the first 40 hours worked in a week. To be eligible, applicants must be:At least 18 years old.Eligible to work in the United States.Able to perform heavy physical labor.Find more info here.
An Important Note from the New York Hall of Science

New York Hall of Science’s Explainer program is now open for applications for our Spring Cohort. Explainers form a major part of the Science Career Ladder (SCL) – our signature youth program of NYSCI’s Alan J. Friedman Center for the Development of Young Scientists. The SCL is an innovative education and employment program open to high school and college students.

While in the Explainer program, students represent the public face of the museum. They are provided with training and opportunities to further their learning of STEM and receive professional development. Through co-facilitation and co-creation, Explainers elevate youth voice in the design and iteration of museum content, STEM activities, exhibit development, and our educational programming. Sign up here
An Important Note from National GridQualifying customers with unpaid balances may have them forgiven through a bill credit for their electric and gas bills. Receive more information here.
An Important Note from Do More Feel Better

Do More Feel Better is a community-based research program for adults aged 60 and over who are experiencing symptoms of depression, providing nine weeks of individual therapy sessions. Our program aims to help individuals re-engage in pleasant and rewarding activities. Clients who are eligible and agree to be in the program are randomly assigned to work with either a clinician or a trained and certified peer coach for nine weekly virtual sessions on zoom (video call). In addition to sessions with the provider, participants must complete follow-up interviews with a research assistant. Participants are also compensated for their time. If interested, please call Caroline at 844-333-3579 ext 714 or email cmg4004@med.cornell.edu.
An Important Note from Brooklyn Children’s MuseumBCM hosts its annual Kwanzaa celebration from December 26 to 30, 2022. Click here to download pdf and jpeg versions of flyers with details to share with your constituents. Drop-in newsletter copy about the celebration is below: December 26 to 30, 2022, 10 am to 5 pm: Brooklyn Children’s Museum celebrates its 15th annual Kwanzaa celebration, presented in partnership with Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation. Explore Kwanzaa’s seven principles throughout the week with performances, workshops, art projects, and food by local vendors. Join BCM for five days of live music, dance, spoken-word presentations, art-making, food, and more! On December 26, December 27, and January 2: School’s out, BCM is open for family activities over the holiday school break. BCM closes early on December 24 and is closed on December 25. On Thursday, December 15 and Thursday, December 22: BCM hosts Animal Encounters at 2:30 pm during Amazon Free Hours. Say hello to BCM’s live animals at this program led by our expert animal educator, Sarah! Get a personal introduction to some of BCM’s most fascinating creatures. And admission is free to all visitors from 2 pm–5 pm!
Help The New York Times map New York’s neighborhoods
HEAP applications are now open. You can find more information here.
Council Member Joseph encourages you to get both vaccinated and tested for COVID. You can find testing locations here and vaccination locations here.