May 15, 2020
Dear Constituents:
Greetings SD-19! It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through May. I am hoping that you and your loved ones are continuing to do well. It’s refreshing to see area hospital admittances decrease and plans of reopening currently in development. We are making major progress in fighting COVID-19 and can’t make mistakes that would jeopardize our success. Please continue to wear a face covering in public. New York City is distributing face coverings in parks and grab-and-go food distribution sites across the city free of charge. Please use THIS LINK to find the closest distribution location, date, and time.
I am committed to bringing quality remote/virtual events to you and I am excited to host two online events on Facebook Live this week. On Monday, May 18th, I am holding a virtual town hall on Facebook Live from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM on both K-12 education and higher education issues. On Thursday, May 21st, I will be holding a virtual conversation with three local authors from 11:00 AM - 1 PM, discussing their paths to publication.
Also, New York continues to remain on ‘PAUSE,’ and this Executive Order has been extended until June 13, 2020. Additionally, Governor Cuomo has announced a moratorium on COVID-related evictions until August 20, 2020.
While we are flattening the curve, I encourage my constituents in SD-19 to continue to review the “Senate District 19 Coronavirus Resource Guide,” as information is consistently fluid and updates to this guide are made daily.
This week, while working throughout the district, I noticed more and more people blatantly throwing used masks and gloves on the street, in parking lots, and outside grocery stores. Not only is this littering bad for the environment, but is also a health risk for all of us. Please click HERE to see my message about proper disposal of PPE.
Lastly, if you or someone you know is a front-line worker and resident of SD-19, I am reaching out to ask for nominations to recognize our local neighborhood heroes. Please email me your nominations, a brief biography, and photo so I can showcase these essential workers in this newsletter and social media.
Let us continue to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19 in SD-19!
Sincerely,
Roxanne J. Persaud
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 or Twitter.
Upcoming Facebook Live Events
To participate in all of my Facebook Live events, please click HERE at the event time or visit my Official New York State Senate website at persaud.nysenate.gov.
I have a continuously updated resource guide that answers many questions and concerns during the Coronavirus COVID-19 crisis. Please click on the banner below for SD-19 specific information.
SENATE DISTRICT 19 CORONAVIRUS RESOURCE GUIDE
COVID-19 & Antibody Testing
To participate in the COVID-19 antibody tracing program, please make an appointment by clicking HERE.
New York City Health & Hospitals has announced a new website for COVID-19 Testing:
www.nyc.gov/covidtesting
This site has all the current information regarding COVID-19 testing throughout the five boroughs.
A new testing site will be opening in the next few weeks at 6565 Flatlands Avenue.
Food Distribution 5/14/20
Yesterday, May 14th, with the help of volunteers, the Campaign Against Hunger, Unity Plaza Resident Leader Ms. Cynthia Whitaker, PSA 2, NYPD NCO, 75th Precinct Community Affairs, and staff, we assisted the residents of Penn Wortman, Unity Plaza, and Long Island Baptist receive food boxes. I am so fortunate to be able to help facilitate this food distribution service to the community. For a video of the event, please click HERE.
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?
The Department of Education is providing three free meals daily (including vegetarian, kosher and halal options) at over 500 locations across NYC to every New Yorker who needs them. 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).
The City of New York has provided almost 1,000,000 food assistance deliveries to New Yorkers during the COVID-19 crisis to those who cannot access food themselves; however, they must meet the following criteria:
1) No members of the household can go out and get food because they are at increased medical risk or homebound
2) No neighbors or family members can go out and get food for you
3) Do not receive meal assistance from other providers (incl. Meals on Wheels or God's Love We Deliver); and
4) You are unable to afford meal delivery or grocery delivery
For more information and to apply, please visit HERE.
Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens in SD-19
Please click HERE for a list of food pantries and soup kitchens in our district.
IDNYC
If your New York City Identification Card is set to expire, online renewals are continuing to be processed. Please click HERE to visit the IDNYC website and avoid expiration of your identification card.
NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
While DMV offices across New York State remain suspended, several DMV tasks can now be completed online. Renewing a registration or driver license can be performed online by clicking HERE.
Debt-Collection Suspension
NYS Attorney General Letitia James’ office is helping to provide people or businesses impacted by COVID-19 that owe (non-medical and non-student) debts to the State of New York. Please click HERE to be considered for debt relief, including relief from collection activity, interest accrual, and the assessment of collection fees by completing the “COVID-19 Application for Suspension of Debt Collection Activity.”
Dial-A-Teacher is Back!
The Dial-A-Teacher program began in January 1980 and has returned to assist during these times of remote education. The United Federation of Teachers is relaunching this program for parents and students from Kindergarten through 5th Grade, where they can receive help with English and math coursework. Please click HERE to enroll online.
“Teens Take on COVID”
The NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) has created a one-stop-shop website to connect NYC youth to citywide resources and support during this pandemic entitled “Teens Take on COVID.” This resource will help local teens obtain information about mental health and medical services, substance misuse treatment, educational support, and home activities. Please click HERE to visit the website. Also, click HERE to read the official press release.
Pet Owner Resources
These are extremely difficult times for all of us, including our pets. If you are in need of assistance taking care and/or feeding your four-legged friends, please reach out to the NYC COVID-19 Pet Hotline.
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.
Census 2020
Census forms have been distributed to households across this State and Nation. I cannot overstate the importance of your participation in the Census. Every ten years, each living person in the United States is required to be accounted for; this includes YOU! The Census is extremely important because over $675 billion of your federal funds are allocated among the States which provides funding for our schools, hospitals, senior centers, public transportation, roads and bridges. Even our representation in Washington, D.C. is in jeopardy as New York is currently set to lose up to two Congressional members due to lack of proper count.
Please click HERE for my very important message regarding the 2020 Census.
Unfortunately, Brooklyn is the worst offender in our lack of participation not only in NYC but the entire USA. There is too much at stake to have this continue. Since March, 95% of households have received an invitation to participate in the Census, and 5% have had their invitation dropped off by a Census worker to be interviewed in person. The Census Bureau is required by law to keep all personal information safe and confidential. Your responses to the census cannot be used against you by law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or to determine eligibility for government services. Visit my2020census.gov to respond online. To respond by phone, call 1-844-330-2020
New York State Department of Labor
To file unemployment claims or to make complaints regarding working during this pandemic, please click HERE.
Local Advisories
2020 Alternate Side Parking & Street Cleaning Calendar
Guide to Accessible Transit on Buses & Subways
NYC Department of Transportation Special Traffic Advisories
Public Safety - 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.
Connect With Us:
Website - Calendar - Contact - Facebook - Twitter
Committees:
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Social Services, CHAIR
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Banks, MEMBER
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Children and Families, MEMBER
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Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, MEMBER
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Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention, MEMBER
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Labor, MEMBER
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Legislative Women’s Caucus, MEMBER
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Transportation, MEMBER
