Senator Roxanne J. Persaud's Weekly E-newsletter

September 24, 2020

Dear Constituents:

Fall has officially arrived and I hope you and your family are well. Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s e-newsletter. I hope you also share the information with others.

The 2020 Census deadline is less than one week away and ends on September 30. Have you and your family filed your Census forms? If yes, thank you. By completing the Census, you are helping your community to receive its fair share of billions of dollars in federal funding. I urge you to take ten minutes or less out of your day and complete the ten questions for ten years of resources. Please take a moment to answer the survey today by phone at (844) 330-2020 or online at my2020census.gov. There are No immigration or citizenship questions asked. It’s fast, easy, and completely confidential.

Another milestone in New York City’s reopening is the return to indoor dining on September 30. Several criteria must be met for this development to be a success and ensure the health and safety of patrons. Please review the dedicated section in this e-newsletter.

The return to in-classroom instruction in schools across New York City will commence fully on October 1, 2020. Please review the current in-person instruction dates outlined in this e-newsletter. I am urging students, parents, and educators to remain patient as the new opening date reflects the concerns many teachers and parents had for safe classroom instruction. This school year will be untraditional, but the City agencies, Department of Education, and UFT are all taking the necessary precautions to ensure and promote a learning environment focusing on the wellbeing of all families during these difficult times.

Election Day is 40 days away and this has become the most critical election cycle in our lifetime. Please review the Election section in this e-newsletter to see important registration dates if you are not already registered to vote and how to apply for an absentee ballot if you plan on submitting your ballot by mail. You can also call my office and a staff member will gladly send you an absentee ballot application. You will also have an opportunity to vote in person during early voting or on election day, November 3, 2020.

I want to wish all my Jewish constituents a meaningful and blessed Yom Kippur. G'mar chatimah tovah!

Lastly, our nation will celebrate Veterans Day on November 11. I am asking veterans in SD-19 to contact my office and give us your veteran status. Call us at 718-649-7653 or email senatorpersaud@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

NYS Senate

19th District

“WE ARE HERE TO SERVE, AND YOU DESERVE TO BE SERVED.”

About Us

The Office of Senator Roxanne J. Persaud proudly serves constituents in the communities of Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, and Starrett City.

For more information, check the official website. To stay updated on events and meetings, frequent the Senate District 19 Calendar. If assistance is needed, an upcoming event requires sharing, or someone wishes to sign up for this newsletter, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our office can also be followed via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Upcoming Events

Around the District

Food, Mask & Hand Sanitizer Distributions Across SD-19

My office has been continuously fighting the COVID-19 battle, with areas of SD-19 being some of the hardest-hit in all of New York City. I have held PPE distribution events across our district and will continue to do so. From Bergen Beach to Brownville, East New York to Sheepshead Bay and all communities in between, we have been tirelessly distributing facial masks and hand sanitizer at events across SD-19.

Food Distribution at Assembly Member Jaime Williams’ Office

On September 22, Assembly Member Jaime Williams and I joined Council Member Alan Maisel for a Food Distribution outside 5318 Ave N (Assembly Member Williams’ office). Masks and hand sanitizer were also distributed.

Thank you to the MET council for your generous food donation. Also, thank you for the support from our community officials, District Leader Frank Seddio, District Leader Sue Ann Partnow, CB18 Chair Gardy Brazela, and our partners, the 63rd Precinct Officers and the 63rd Precinct Community Council.

Food Distribution at Unity Plaza

On September 24, the Campaign Against Hunger and I, in partnership with the Unity Plaza Resident Association, held a food distribution at Unity Plaza located at 580 Blake Avenue. 2020 Census registration was also on-site to help assist residents to file their Census before the September 30 deadline. Thank you to my CoS Maylene Thurton and Staff Member Jevaughn Williams for all your help assisting.

Local Market Pop-Up on the Yard with Danne Promotions

On Saturday, September 19, I was invited by Danne Promotions to attend their Local Market Pop-Up on the Yard event which took place outside the Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum at 5816 Clarendon Road.

Many local artists, restaurants, and entrepreneurs made this family friendly event safe and enjoyable for all. We practiced social distancing and wore our PPE as we enjoyed the good music and positive atmosphere.

Canarsie Census Caravan

On Sunday, September 20 we held a Census Caravan in partnership with the NYC 2020 Census team. We traveled through Canarsie informing residents that the deadline is fast approaching and it is vital that we all are counted. CANARSIE has the distinction of having the LOWEST RESPONSE RATE in NYC which places us in jeopardy of losing BILLIONS of $$$ for much needed resources.

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Assemblyman Nick Perry, Assemblywoman Jaimie Williams, and Councilman Alan Maisel joined me in recording messages encouraging the residents of the Canarsie community to complete the Census.

Thank you to the 69th Precinct officer, Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club members, 69th Pct Community Council, Newton Foundation, East Flatbush Village Organization, community residents and my office staff participating and spreading the message.

If you haven't done so already, go to www.my2020census.gov and file today!

National Voter Registration Day

With September 22, 2020 being ‘National Voter Registration Day’, Assembly Member Jaime Williams and I partnered with Uncommon Schools, KIPP:NYC, C3S, Achievement First, and the NYC Charter School Center, and held a Voter Registration drive today outside the Canarsie-Rockaway Pkwy L-Train Station. We had a lot of people register for the first time and others checking their voter registration status and applying for absentee ballots.

You can also check your voting registration status and have many questions regarding voting and the election process answered at www.vote.nyc

For a collage from all this week’s events in SD-19, please click HERE.

Community Announcements

L Train Service Replaced by Shuttle Buses - Upcoming 2 Weekends

MTA NYC Transit will be performing track upgrades which will necessitate service diversions along the L line for two upcoming weekends (September 26-27 and October 3-4). No L trains will travel between Broadway Junction and Rockaway Parkway. Please click HERE for more information and the shuttle bus schedule.

Brooklyn Developmental Center Mixed Use Project

In March 2017, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the “Vital Brooklyn” comprehensive community development initiative to address chronic social, economic and health disparities in Central Brooklyn, one of the most underserved areas in New York State. Vital Brooklyn will create a stronger, more sustainable community by leveraging New York State programs and resources to improve the well-being of Central Brooklyn residents.

As part of the Vital Brooklyn initiative, the proposed Brooklyn Developmental Center Mixed-Use Project seeks to redevelop an approximately 27-acre site in East New York, Brooklyn, with affordable and supportive housing, commercial space, community facilities, light manufacturing uses, and open space.

To view the public hearing notice and register for the virtual public meeting scheduled for October 14, 2020, please click HERE.

Indoor Dining Resumes September 30th!

The Governor’s office has announced that restaurants can once again reopen for indoor dining starting on September 30, 2020. To the cheers of the many restaurateurs that I represent in SD-19, this has been a long awaited step toward normalcy. Please review the guidelines below as they are not completely identical to indoor dining options on Long Island or Upstate New York.

Important Updates on In-Person Learning Start Dates

Please click HERE for important updates on in-person learning start dates.

For all NYC Department of Education alerts and calendar dates, please click HERE.

Learning Bridges Programs

As the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) resumes in-person schooling this fall, schools will operate on a blended learning model. Each week students will have some school days in person, and some school days remotely. Learning Bridges is a new program offering no-cost preschool and school age child care options for children from 3-K through 8th grade on days when they are scheduled for remote learning.

Learning Bridges child care programs (preschool for three and four year olds and Learning Labs for K-8) will provide opportunities for children to connect to their remote learning activities, and include time for art, recreation and other age-appropriate activities. The programs will follow rigorous health and safety precautions and will be operated by community based organizations. Daily breakfast, lunch and a snack will be provided.

To sign up, visit schools.nyc.gov/learningbridges. Families will be notified of their options on a rolling basis.

Elite Learners, Inc. Mentorship Through Robotics Program

Elite Learners, Inc. is offering a Mentorship Through Robotics program for young men and women, ages 7-18 years old. The program is designed to introduce STEM-related activities through robotics activities with adult mentors. Students learn new skills, gain an understanding of how science, engineering, and math concepts work together, develop their creativity, and make lifelong connections to community leaders. For more information on this and other programs offered by Elite Learners, Inc., please click HERE.

Important Dates Leading Up to Election Day (November 3, 2020)

Absentee Voting Information

Please review these procedures in obtaining an absentee ballot if you do not plan on going to your local polling site on election day.

For other methods of obtaining an absentee ballot

Please click HERE to download the application.

Email application to Apply4Absentee@boe.nyc
* Applications must be saved in a (.pdf) format to avoid delays *
Fax application to 212-487-5349
Mail application to local borough office
Calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692)
Call my office at 718-649-7653 and we will mail you an absentee ballot application

New Ballot Box Design

Ballot boxes will be strategically placed in all borough Board of Election offices, Early Voting Sites and Election Day Poll Sites across the five boroughs, affording voters over 1,300 locations to hand-deliver their ballots safely.

Employment Opportunities

H+H (Health & Hospitals) is hiring for several positions. Apply here: http://nyc.gov/getwork.
NYC is hiring 2,500 Contact Tracers. Apply here: Careers.
NYC is hiring licensed TLC drivers to deliver food to New Yorkers in need: NYC Food Delivery Driver Portal.
Available New York State Jobs and application deadlines can be found HERE.
Constituents looking for New York City employment can search HERE.
If you are interesting in becoming a poll worker for Election Day on November 3rd, please go to https://nyc.electiondayworker.com/start.aspx

Department of Labor - Unemployment Claims

To file unemployment claims or to make complaints regarding working during this pandemic, please click HERE. If you require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my district office.

Food Assistance Programs

Are you or someone you know is in need of food assistance but cannot leave their home or cannot afford the costs?

Click HERE to find a Meal Hub near you. No ID is required and each person can pick up 3 meals at a time (adults can pick up meals for their children).

Sisters with Purpose have been helping our community for months throughout the pandemic by partnering with New York Cares and the Food Bank for New York City to supply food for families in SD-19. Below please find their calendar for their remaining August dates at the Brooklyn Sports Club. Please share this information with those that may be in need.

Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens in SD-19

Please click HERE for a list of food pantries and soup kitchens in our district.

Health & Wellness

YAI to offer Social Skills & Ballet-Yoga for Children with Autism in Brooklyn

YAI is excited to announce that registration is now open for the virtual Social Skills and Ballet-Yoga program. The 10-week program will begin Tuesday, September 29.

The combined Ballet-Yoga and Social Skills program is open to children ages 4-12 on the autism spectrum. Groups cover topics including communication, feelings, and friendship while incorporating creative movement and introductory yoga poses.

The hour-lone Zoom sessions will be on Tuesday and Thursdays at 4 PM from September 29 - December 10. To submit an interest form, please click HERE.

National Diaper Need Awareness Week 9/21/20 - 9/27/20

Caring for a child is expensive, especially the cost of diapers. The consequences of an inability to change diapers can lead to severe medical complications for the child. This is why I am proud to sponsor Senate Bill S1086B which helps eligible parents receive an allowance every 3 months to assist in the purchasing of diapers for their children two years and under. For more information on what you can do to help, please click HERE.

NYC Infant Safe Sleep Summit

ACS’s Infant Safe Sleep team is preparing for the annual Infant Safe Sleep Summit, which will take place virtually this year throughout the month of October. The NYC Infant Safe Sleep Initiative focuses on protecting NYC babies from preventable sleep-related infant deaths through citywide outreach, training, and awareness efforts to help educate parents and caregivers.

ACS is offering this year’s Infant Safe Sleep Summit via weekly Zoom sessions throughout October. The theme is “Closing the Gap: An Intersectional Approach to Reducing Infant Mortality.” ACS will share information about safe sleep best practices and policies, and examine root causes of social and health inequities that impact families of color, with presentations from experts in the field.

Please visit the Safe Sleep Awareness Website by clicking HERE to register for October events. Sessions are filling up quickly.

Express Emergency Room at Brookdale Hospital

Mental Health & Domestic Violence Resources

You do not have to feel alone. If you are experiencing stress or feel anxious, please contact the New York State COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline. Thousands of mental health professionals are available to help us during this pandemic.

Public Safety

FDNY

Even though FDNY CPR classes are currently postponed, watch this #FDNYSmart video to gain an overall awareness of hands-only CPR, and to learn how #CPRSavesLives.

Visit www.fdnysmart.org/connect to watch the full presentation. Use these safety tips when performing Hands Only CPR, and remember that early recognition and action improve chances of survival and recovery for victims of cardiac arrest.

If you are interested in becoming part of NY’s Bravest and to learn about employment opportunities, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines please click HERE.

NYPD

Find out more on the New York City Police Department Precincts in the district, including crime statistics so you are aware of the trends and able to identify changes to help us fight for a safer community.

Congratulations to Captain Besemah H. Rogers on becoming the new Commanding Officer of PSA 1!