| Dear fellow New Yorker, February 18 marked the Hindu festival celebrating the God Shiva. Lord Shiva protects his devotees from negative and evil spirits. May Lord Shiva’s love and blessings always be with you and your loved ones. Our best wishes for all our Hindu friends for a joyful Maha Shivratri. Taxpayers have until April 18 to file their taxes this year and NYC Free Tax Prep provides free, professional, tax preparation that can help New Yorkers keep their full refund! If you earned $80,000 or less in 2022, file for FREE with an IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer. For the latest updates, please follow CAU on Twitter and Facebook, and be sure to check out the Mayor’s ‘Week In Review’ video below! All the best, Fred Kreizman Commissioner, Community Affairs Unit |
| Key Updates: Recognize Your Volunteers: The 2023 Mayoral Service Recognition Awards celebrates volunteers and service members. Nominations for our four awards are open: AmeriCorps Alum Impact Award, Community Impact Award, Partnership Impact Award, and the Youth Impact Award! Your nonprofit or business can submit a request for certificates, signed by Mayor Adams and NYC Chief Service Officer Laura Rog, to recognize your organization (and your volunteers if you are a nonprofit). Nominations are due March 7, 2023. To learn more and nominate visit nycservice.org/msrp. Help Your Organization #GetThingsDone: NYC Service is accepting AmeriCorps host site applications for our 2023-2024 NYC Civic Corps program year! As a host site and NYC Service partner, you’ll have the opportunity to host AmeriCorps members for 10 months to support the building, development, and management of your volunteer programs. All 501(c)(3) organizations in NYC are welcome to apply. Applications must be submitted by February 22, 2023. Interested or have questions? Visit nyc.gov/hostciviccorps for more information and to apply! A bigger NYC EITC. Full refund. Your family deserves it. Get it back. IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers. In-person or online options. No fees so you get more money from credits like the NYC Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). If you earn $80,000 or less, file for free with NYC Free Tax Prep. Property Tax Exemption Deadline: March 15 The Department of Finance administers tax exemptions and abatements that help New Yorkers save on their property taxes, including: – Senior Citizen Homeowner Exemption (SCHE): Available to owners 65+ with annual income of $58,399 or less. – Disabled Homeowner Exemption (DHE): Available to owners with disabilities and annual income of $58,399 or less. – Veterans: Available to eligible veterans of foreign wars, veterans with honorable discharges, spouses/widow(er)s of veterans, and Gold Star parents. – Clergy Exemption: Available to eligible members of the clergy or their unremarried surviving spouses. Full eligibility information and application instructions: www.nyc.gov/ownerexemption. $150 Property Tax Rebate Great news! Homeowners have until March 15, 2023, to apply if they haven’t already received the fiscal year 2023 property tax rebate. If your property is your primary residence and your total household income is $250,000 or less, you may be entitled to a $150 property tax rebate. Think you qualify? More info at www.nyc.gov/propertytaxrebate. Notice of Property Value (NOPV) Season Is Here! Mailed to you each January, the NOPV will tell you our determination of your property’s market and assessed values. Want to learn more about this important notice and get help with any questions you might have? Visit www.nyc.gov/nopv to find an outreach event near you. Temporary Water Bill Amnesty As New York City recovers from the pandemic, DEP is offering this limited one-time amnesty with up to 100% interest forgiveness for all delinquent customers. If you owe water and wastewater charges, you may be eligible for this amnesty offer. To confirm your eligibility, see your available options and receive amnesty immediately, use the Amnesty Look Up Tool. If your remaining delinquent balance is greater than $500, you will be required to enter into a new payment agreement with DEP upon request. Don’t miss your chance to take advantage of this one-time amnesty program before it ends. For questions or concerns, please see our FAQ’s. |
| In case you missed it: |
| Breaking Bread, Building Bonds is an initiative to combat rising hate and foster mutual understanding between diverse communities. 🍞 @mayorsCAU attended the first event in the series hosted by @WAWHumanRights. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/wHAHymfT1D — Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) February 16, 2023 |
| Every New Yorker deserves to be safe and feel safe. We joined @AAFederation and @StopHateNYC last night for Grieving Together: A Vigil for Lives Lost to Hate Violence in remembrance and in solidarity with our #AAPI communities. #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/rVxYXP7ups — Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) February 16, 2023 |
| .@MixtecaOrg is an immigrant women-led organization in #SunsetPark that works with marginalized immigrant groups and has been active in supporting recently arrived asylum seekers. @mayorsCAU #Latino Liaison pictured here with Lorena Kourousias, Executive Director. pic.twitter.com/JjwIApWLqZ — Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) February 15, 2023 |
| Highlights From the City Hall Press Office: Mayor Delivered Testimony in Albany: Mayor Adams provided testimony to the New York State Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committees, focusing on critical investments in jobs, safety, housing, and care as well as fiscal challenges facing the city. Legends Hospitality Selected to Operate Loeb Boathouse in Central Park: Located on the eastern shore of the 72nd Street Lake in Central Park, The Loeb Boathouse first opened in 1872 and has subsequently served as a unique dining and recreational amenity in one of New York City’s most picturesque locations. Mayor Adams and Parks Commissioner Donoghue announced that the city has selected Legends Hospitality as its new operator for the iconic Loeb Boathouse, for a 10-year team. If approved by the Franchise & Concession Review Committee (FCRC), the iconic venue will reopen to the public this summer. Mayor Appointed NYC’s First-Ever Chief Public Realm Officer: Making our public spaces more attractive while providing a respite to every day New Yorkers, Mayor Adams announced the appointment of Ya-Ting Liu as the city’s first ever Chief Public Realm Officer. Ms Liu is a long-time transportation advocate. She is expected to expand and manage programs such as Open Streets and outdoor dining. |
| Additional Resources: |
| Food Help NYC: Free food locations including food pantries & soup kitchens. 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. Buildings After Hours: Free in-person information session with DOB staff every Tuesday from 4 PM to 7 PM at your local borough office. COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Illnesses: Resources including test kits, treatment, vaccines, and masks available to New Yorkers as New York City experiences high levels of COVID-19, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses. Notify NYC: Enroll for free in New York City’s dedicated emergency public communications program. 311: Non-emergency municipal services available online, by texting 311-692, or by calling 3-1-1 from within the City or 212-NEW-YORK outside the five boroughs. TTY service is also available by dialing 212-504-4115. |