 COMMUNITY UPDATE August 13, 2024 |
| Dear Neighbors,Happy Tuesday! This past week has been filled with exciting events and meaningful connections throughout District 40. As we going into the start of a new school year, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a back-to-school giveaway event that truly highlighted the strength and unity of our community. Seeing so many families and students come together, eager and prepared to embark on another year of learning was heartwarming. The enthusiasm and positivity from our young people were contagious, reminding us all of the importance of supporting our future leaders. Connecting with our youth is one of the most fulfilling parts of my work as your Council Member. It’s inspiring to hear their aspirations and to see the pride on their faces as they receive the tools they need to succeed. Ensuring that every child in our district has access to the resources they need to start the school year on the right foot is a priority I hold dear. Our students deserve nothing less than our full support as they strive for excellence. In addition to our back-to-school efforts, this week also brought some of the best block parties District 40 has ever seen! From the lively music to the delicious food and the vibrant energy of neighbors coming together, these block parties were a true celebration of our community’s spirit. They are more than just events; they are a testament to the bonds we share and the collective pride we have in our neighborhood. Whether it was dancing in the streets, catching up with old friends, or meeting new ones, each block party reminded me of why I love serving this incredible district. As we continue to build momentum for the upcoming school year, let’s carry forward the sense of community, support, and joy that we’ve shared this past week. Together, we can ensure that every student, every family, and every neighbor feels empowered and connected. Thank you for being such an active and engaged community. I’m excited to see what we will accomplish together in the coming weeks. Warm regards, Rita Joseph Your Council Member  Council Member Rita Joseph at the Allama Iqbal Community Center, Brooklyn Mela celebrating the 77th Independence Day of Pakistan.  Council Member Rita Joseph at the street co-naming ceremony in honor of Duane Joseph.  Council Member Rita Joseph at the annual Back to School Giveaway Party in partnership with Kings Theatre.  Council Member Rita Joseph the Flatbush African Burial Ground delivering remarks at the Brooklyn Black Utopia community gathering.  Council Member Rita Joseph at the Read Alliance Youth Summit. IMPORTANT COMMUNITY RESOURCES   Upcoming Events              Join us for our next food distribution on Parkside Plaza on August 17!            Brooklyn Emerge is an incredible community-based organization in Brooklyn. Please spread the word about this weekly food pantry!Get Involved!     Topics of Constituent Concern: New York City Transit How to Find Your Stuff Left in New York’s Trains, Parks, Trash and More: https://www.thecity.nyc/2024/08/12/how-to-find-lost-items-parks-mta-trash/?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=nypr-email&utm_campaign=Newsletter+-+Early+Addition+-+20240813&utm_term=a+guide+to+getting+it+back&utm_id=360287&sfmc_id=97352040&utm_content=2024813&nypr_member=Unknown MTA Updates: B: Runs local in both directions between Prospect Park and Kings Hwy In Brooklyn, Brighton Beach-bound B skips Church Av Q: Coney Island-bound skip Church Av F: In Brooklyn, Manhattan-bound F skips Fort Hamilton Pkwy, 15 St-Prospect Park, 4 Av-9 St, Smith-9 Sts, Carroll St and Bergen St G: In Brooklyn, no G between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Church Av    New York City Council Budget Corner I am proud to share that the New York City Council finally passed its budget for Fiscal Year 2025. This year’s budget prioritizes working-class New Yorkers and our city’s pillars are centered around education, health, older adults, cultural institutions, parks, and more. We secured over $418 million in education to invest in our schools and students ensuring programs like community schools, mental health, arts education, and more thrive. This budget is a significant step forward for the residents of my district and all New Yorkers and I remain committed to improving the quality of life and investing in our city’s future.Early Childhood Education3-K and Pre-K Seats: $112 million – $92 million to replace expiring federal stimulus funds and $20 million to add seats to ensure placements for families who did not receive placements for the next school year.Extended Day/Extended Year Seats: $40 million to convert over 4,000 school-day/school-year seats to full-day/full-year seats ($15 million baselined in FY 24 plus $25 million added in new funding at adoption).Marketing and Outreach: Added $5 million to reestablish expanded marketing and outreach efforts for 3-K that make families aware of their ECE options, so the number of applications for seats no longer falls short of the number of budgeted seats.Pre-School Special Education: Added $111 million, including $55 million to add seats and services for children on the waitlist.Promise NYC Program: Added $25 million to maintain and expand access to the only childcare program for undocumented families that are ineligible for other programs.School and Student Support Programs- $400.2 million Holding School Budgets Harmless: $75 millionSummer Rising Restoration: $19.6 millionSchool Food Staffing: $20 millionTeacher Recruitment: $10 millionFull restoration of funding for Community Schools: $70 million, including $56 million in the Executive Budget and $14 million at AdoptionSchool-Based Social Workers, School Psychologists, Family Workers Stimulus Cliff Restorations: $74 millionLearning to Work: $31 millionEnsuring placement of Certified Art Teachers in schools ($41 million) and Arts Education ($4 million)Shelter-Based Community Coordinators for Students in Temporary Housing: $17 million restorationRestorative Justice: $12 million restorationMental Health Continuum: $5 million restorationDigital Learning, Computer for All, Tutoring, Civics for All, Parent and Immigrant Family Engagement, Outward Bound Crew Model: $21.6 millionHousing$2 billion in new capital investments for affordable housing creation and preservation through the Department of Housing Preservation and Development and NYCHA.Full $6.8 million restoration for security guards at NYCHA senior buildings.$4.2 million to support the Department of City Planning PEG reversal and capital funding to enable neighborhood rezonings. Other Investments Inquired About From Constituents $58.3 million to fully restore library funding *Sunday services is back*, with $42.6 million baselined, for full service that is no longer repeatedly at risk year-to-year in future budgets.$6.2 million restoration of Community Composting Program.TEACHER’S CORNER  Article of the WeekNYC Families Can Get Transit Reimbursements for a school bus no-show/ Payment Events Throughout the Week8/14 (Wed): Never too late to learn: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/never-too-late-learn-crown-heights-techies-20240814-1100am 8/15 (Thu): Skate Night CM Joseph8/16 (Fri): Kids Create: Comic Strips: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/kids-create-comic-strips-kensington-library-20240816-0230pm 8/17 (Sat): Backpack giveaway CM Joseph8/18 (Sun): TPS Clinic  |
