NYC Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit Newsletter – May 30, 2023

Dear fellow New Yorker,  

May is Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. To celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions of the AAPI community, I joined Mayor Adams and other dignitaries in the second annual AAPI Cultural Heritage Parade. Last week, Mayor Adams hosted an AAPI heritage reception in Gracie Mansion to acknowledge and thank AAPI New Yorkers for the many contributions they make every day enriching us by sharing their customs and cultures with us all.   

Bronxites got their chance to ‘Talk with Eric,’ as the first in a series of neighborhood town halls was held in Hunts Point in the Bronx. The event provided the community an opportunity to discuss key concerns ranging from education to public safety. Community members posed questions to the Mayor and city agency Commissioners. We look forward to continuing this event series in all five boroughs.   

On Shavuot, the Jewish community celebrates the harvest and the handing down of the Torah from Mount Sinai. Wishing the Jewish community a happy holiday. Chag Shavuot Sameach!   

Memorial Day is when Americans pause and honor all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great nation. It is a time for gratitude, and remembrance of the fallen members of our military services. The freedom and liberty we all enjoy today, has been bestowed upon us by those who took up the mantle to preserve American democracy.    

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      


Hear Directly From The Mayor      

New Yorkers can sign up online to listen to the Get Stuff Done-Cast updates and hear directly from Mayor Adams about exclusive updates, major policies and initiatives, and local events.
    Key Updates:    
Participatory Budgeting Vote has started and will go to June 25th!  

About The People’s Money:
The People’s  Money gives all New Yorkers age 11 and up, regardless of immigration status, the opportunity to decide how to spend $5 million of Mayoral expense funding on projects in their community.
To learn more about the process, visit participate.nyc.gov.
How to Vote between May 10th – June 25th:
Online Ballot: Starting May 10th, visit on.nyc.gov/pb to vote online. Paper Ballots: Starting May 10th, visit a vote site in your neighborhood: on.nyc.gov/pbvotesites or visit the CEC at a pop-up vote event: on.nyc.gov/pbvoteevents to vote on a paper ballot.  

For Organizations: Organizations and groups can invite CEC staff to attend their event/meeting/forum to lead a voting activity between May 10th – June 25th, or groups can request paper ballots and a ballot box to organize their own activities. Sign up here: on.nyc.gov/pbvoterequest  

For Individuals: Individuals can volunteer with the CEC to canvass and table at pop-up events with paper ballots! Sign up here: on.nyc.gov/cecvolunteer.
  Financial help to cover the cost and installation of an air conditioner or fan.
Cooling Assistance benefits are provided on a first come, first served basis to eligible applicants from May 1 to August 31, 2023.
For more information go to the the Access NY site or  Call 718-557-1399 if you have questions about the benefit.
    In case you missed it:    
It was a pleasure for @mayorsCAU Muslim Women Liaison to meet with a delegation of #Bangladeshi women visiting New York City. 🇧🇩 pic.twitter.com/co0NpfDK5U — Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) May 26, 2023    
.@mayorsCAU First Deputy Commissioner attended the Luisa Diaz Foundation’s MAG Gala to deliver remarks and present a proclamation. The gala, which is a “celebration of kindness,” raised funds for organizations that support asylum seekers as well as survivors of domestic violence. pic.twitter.com/uBaPeiXF41 — Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) May 26, 2023    
.@mayorsCAU was delighted to join @NYCMayor at the #Nepal Day Parade and march along Madison Avenue! 🇳🇵 pic.twitter.com/8VuW0bUNXj — Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) May 26, 2023    
.@mayorsCAU #Bronx Borough Director attended NYPD’s grand opening of the Options Wellness Center. ✨

This center, the first of its kind, will provide wraparound services. Kudos to Officer Cross, who was instrumental in the design and development of the location. 👏 pic.twitter.com/aQmBNnlUcw — Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) May 26, 2023    
    Highlights From the City Hall Press Office:      

Jamaica Neighborhood Plan Launched: The community-driven “Jamaica Neighborhood Plan” study will explore opportunities to promote job growth in the neighborhood; create new housing, especially permanently affordable housing and housing produced in partnership with faith-based institutions; and enhance resiliency, including by addressing flooding. DOT’s “Jamaica NOW: Urban Design Strategy and Streetscape Plan” outlines a vision for streetscape improvements that would make neighborhood streets safer, upgrade public spaces for the community, and deliver much-needed infrastructure upgrades.   

$6 Million in Funds Announced to Rehabilitate Landmark ‘(Former) Colored School No. 4’: Mayor Adams announced $6 million in funding for the rehabilitation of ‘(Former) Colored School No. 4’ in Manhattan, which the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) voted to designate as an individual landmark. (Former) Colored School No. 4 is the only known surviving building in Manhattan that exclusively served Black Americans during the troubled period of mandated racial segregation in New York City public schools. The site is an important reminder of racially segregated education in New York City and illustrates how education afforded crucial opportunities and skills to Black students as they struggled against the discrimination and inequities that were part of their daily life.   

Launch of New Program for Older New Yorkers Who Want to Work: Mayor Adams announced the launch of ‘Silver Corps’ — a new workforce development pilot program for older New Yorkers that will increase financial mobility among older adults, combat ageism in the workforce, and fill employment needs in local communities. To become a Silver Corps program participant, New York City residents must be at least 55 years of age, currently unemployed or underemployed, willing to participate in skills training and specialized certification program, and volunteer a minimum of 10 hours per week at a nonprofit or city agency. To learn more about participating in the Silver Corps program, older New Yorkers can call Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) or email silvercorps@aging.nyc.gov. 
Additional Resources:  
Food Help NYC: Free food locations including food pantries & soup kitchens.
NYC Well: NYC Well is your connection to free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health and substance use support, information and referrals. You can reach the toll-free help line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, text and online chat.
Buildings After Hours: Free in-person information session with DOB staff every Tuesday from 4 PM to 7 PM at your local borough office.
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.  
Mayor’s Office–Community Affairs
253 Broadway 9th Fl
New York, NY 10007
United States