[Para ver la versión en español visite aquí).

Dear Neighbors,

Our mental health matters. Good mental health looks and feels different for everyone. It comes from taking care of ourselves and our community. Surviving the aftermath of a pandemic means New York has to take on a more compassionate and comprehensive public health approach to intervening and addressing the mental health crisis impacting all of our lives. Our children, seniors, homeless, unemployed, hungry, incarcerated, traumatized, and sick are the most vulnerable and susceptible to systemic inaction. Failure to support and invest in mental health is a failure to keep everyone safe.

Our society needs to come together and develop better ways to change how we think and talk about mental health. In some cultures talking about our mental health is taboo, and seeking help is discouraged. As a community, we must demand more counselors in schools and more funding for treatment centers across our state, and we must start normalizing mental health care for everyone.

I look forward to working together with you to make our communities safer.  If you’d like to get involved and provide ideas, please email my office at jackson@nysenate.gov.

Here are some locations that provide mental health assistance:

• Inwood Community Services, located at 651 Academy Street, offers mental health and wellness programs, a comprehensive outpatient addiction program, and after-school programs for children. If you or a loved one could benefit from culturally competent mental health services uptown, you can call 212-942-0043 to set up an appointment.
  
  
• NAMI NYC has tremendous mental health resources online and at their helpline, open M–F 10 am–6 pm at 212-684-3264. You can visit naminycmetro.org to join support groups, learn more about diagnoses, and sign up for classes.
  
  
• Goddard Riverside provides several levels of support, focusing on people with serious mental illness and homeless and formerly homeless adults. You can get in touch with them at 212-873-6600.
  
  
• Fountain House, located at 425 W 47th St, takes a public health approach to serious mental illness by addressing its members' health and social needs. If you have serious mental illness and are looking for community, reach out to the Clubhouse Enrollment Center at 646-485-5203 or www.fountainhouse.org.
  
  
• The Hudson Guild provides mental health services focusing on the Chelsea and Clinton neighborhoods through their Paula B. Balser clinic. Call 212-760-9822 to inquire about an intake
  
  
• The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services helps adults and children living with mental illness, families and individuals who need supportive housing, and a safe and protected environment within which to recover. To reach out for support, you can also call 1.844.ONE.CALL a toll-free, quick, efficient way to learn about The Jewish Board’s services and schedule appointments for individual, group, family, or couples therapy and psychiatric services. You can also find one of their many locations here.

#Restorethecuts - School Cuts

The wave of discontent and frustration due to the City's budget cuts has grown across the New York City school communities. Many parents, educators, and elected leaders know these cuts will deeply affect our schools, leading to the elimination of many programs that are vital to students in working-class communities.

Many have heard me state that quality education is a pillar in interrupting community violence and uplifting all in our neighborhoods. In the state legislature, we passed a budget to fully fund our schools. We also passed legislation to reduce class size. We cannot and will not stop fighting until our schools receive every cent owed.  

How can you help?

Below is a list of actions you can take:

Please sign this petition urging Governor Hochul to sign the Class Size bill and call her at 518-474-8390. 

Call your Council Members; they must restore the unnecessary and harmful cuts to public schools! Link to council members’ emails.

Call Mayor Adams demanding a reduction in NYC class sizes and restore budget cuts to individual schools. Mayor Adams office number: (212) 788-3006.

Let’s Keep our Streets Clean

I also want to take a moment to motivate all to work in solidarity to maintain our streets free of debris, to welcome others to curb their dogs, and if you see plastic or any other kind of litter on the sidewalks, please pick it up and dump it in the nearest trash can. Together, we can keep our streets clean and provide a healthy environment for all.

Primaries in August

Finally, I want to remind everyone that the next primary is in August, early voting starts on August 11th until the 21st, and election day is on August 23rd. Please visit here for information on early and absentee voting and where you can vote.

I invite you to continue reading this weekly update for information on valuable resources and don't forget to scroll to the end to see our community updates. I encourage everyone to enjoy the weekend, our parks, beaches, and free concerts. Please stay cool and safe.

Peace & blessings, 

RJ

#CommunityFirst

Senator on Your Corner Tour Continues!

Last week my office hosted another successful Senator On Your Corner event where many constituents visited our tent and had the opportunity to interact with my team and me on Dyckman street and in Inwood. We also hosted another episode of Team Jackson's podcast What's Up S31! Make sure to stop by our next Senator on your Corner to say “hello” during the following days, and while you're there, join us on our podcast!

Housing is a human right!

Organizing gives tenants more power to draw attention to problems and get them resolved. It empowers tenants and is a form of community organizing that enables tenants to advocate collectively for themselves and create a more even distribution of power between tenants and their landlords.

That's why it was vital for me to support my constituents as they formed a tenant association to address the severe neglect from their landlord.

Inwood Little League Parade

Team Jackson, led by my Chief of Staff Johanna Garcia, joined parents and community leaders to celebrate our youth during the opening day festivities for the Inwood Summer league.

This new season kicked off with great energy and promise, thanks to the work of the leadership at Inwood little league, their coaches, volunteers, and parents. It was also a moment to honor the legacy of Commissioner Jimmy Nolan, who passed away earlier this year.

I wish all our Inwood baseball and softball future big-league stars a great season!

Morris-Jumel Mansion Fundraiser

Last Friday, I was happy to show support for Morris-Jumel Mansion during their fundraiser. This site is one of the nation’s foremost historic house museums and Manhattan’s oldest surviving residence, built-in 1765.

The Morris-Jumel Mansion preserves, collects, and interprets history, culture, and the arts to explore inclusive narratives that engage and inspire diverse audiences. Make sure to show love, visit this magnificent place and enjoy the spectacular vistas from the heart of Uptown.

MTA "Dead Man Switch" Letter

I sent a letter to the MTA following the tragic death of 22-year-old Helen Chen on June 28, 2022. I was horrified to learn that trains running on automatic routing systems to Hudson Yards are not equipped with emergency brake switches for operators staffing the cars. My family could have met the same dire faith when my blind brother-in-law fell onto the tracks in May at the Grant Avenue station. Luckily, he was rescued by two officers, but it could had been worse.

I urge the MTA to begin outfitting all trains with a “dead man switch” immediately. They must continue to improve the safety of riders so senseless injuries and deaths are preventable. I look forward to a response from the MTA to let me know what they're doing in response to Helen Chen’s death and to prevent any further deaths or injuries.

You can read the full letter here.

What's Up S31! Hits The Streets

Team Jackson took What's Up S31! to the streets and hit the corner of 175th & St. Nicholas Avenue in the Washington Heights area of Uptown Manhattan. This was an opportunity for the residents of "El Alto" to sit down with Team Jackson and share their concerns as we chat about what went down in Albany during the end of the legislative session. Click here to listen to this episode. 

If you haven’t heard any of our previous episodes, you can find them all here to listen and share!

The Cannabis Corner

In case you missed last week, here it is again.

Even though cannabis is prohibited under federal law, the state budget authorizes cannabis businesses in New York to deduct their normal business expenses from their New York state taxes.

To apply for this license, please visit the OCM’s application website here. The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has posted a new website containing information on the excise tax for adult-use cannabis products. Cannabis businesses will be able to deduct their business expenses from state taxes. There is a lot of misinformation, so make sure to stay updated here with my office’s information memo for the latest about the MRTA.

Cannabis Panel on Workforce Development and Workers’ Rights 

Join us on July 21st at 6 pm as I host a panel on Cannabis Workforce Development & Worker’s Rights. We will have an expert panel discussion that will include representatives from the MWBE Cannabis Association, Workforce Development Institute, Labor Relations at Cornell University, Office of Cannabis Management, RWDSU, and Da Homeless Hero, highlighting a new industry with significant economic potential for our working-class communities.

Community First Block Party

On July 24th I’m hosting a “Community First Block Party” a community celebration for all in Inwood. The day of fun will take place on Thayer street between Broadway and Sherman Avenue, from 1 to 5 pm. Bring the family, tell a friend, and join your neighbors in this big day of community building, music, and resources. Don’t miss out!

Please visit my resource page here for the latest information on Vaccines and Covid testing.

Quick Updates

COVID update (data as 7/6): 

• COVID update in NYC (data as of 7/10):

• Cases Per 100k: 33.2
  

• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k: 41.0
  

• New Cases: 4,661 
  

• % Positive: 10.4%  
  

• 7-Day Average % Positive: 9.5%
  

• Hospitalizations: 1, 120

  Full data is available here.

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  Monkeypox Vaccination

  As of July 11, 223 people in New York City have tested positive for orthopoxvirus. All cases are likely monkeypox.

  Vaccine supply remains low. NYC is receiving a limited number of doses from the federal government and is making them available to New Yorkers as quickly as possible. To get text alerts about vaccination appointments and other monkeypox updates for NYC, text “MONKEYPOX” to 692-692. 

  The Department of Health will provide updates on vaccine availability here.

  ---

  New Free Hotline 

  Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of a new free Hotline for those who test positive for COVID-19 but don't have a health care provider as part of the administration's ongoing efforts to keep New Yorkers protected throughout the pandemic. 

  The Hotline, 888-TREAT-NY, was launched by the New York State Department of Health after reaching an agreement to utilize the Virtual ExpressCare platform operated by NYC Health + Hospitals.

Pediatric Vaccine Town Halls

Get answers to your questions about COVID-19 vaccines for children ages six months and older from health experts at the NYC Health Department and NYC Health + Hospitals.

• Pediatric Vaccine Town hall #1: Pediatric providers and staff, trusted messengers    
  July 19th at 2 pm    
    
  
• Pediatric Vaccine Town hall #2: Parents & guardians    
  July 20th at 9 am     
  

Please help us spread the word.

Youth Summer Meals Program

All children and teens 18 years and younger may now receive free breakfast and lunch at sites across the City, including schools, parks, and pools. No identification or application is required, and meals are available Monday through Friday, now through Friday, September 2.

Breakfast is served from 8:00 am - 9:15 am, and lunch is served from 11:00 am to 1:15 pm.

For more details on the program or to find a location near you, click here.

Supplemental Food Program for Seniors

The New York State Department of Health’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) offers free, healthy food to seniors ages 60 and older that live in New York City and Long Island.

During the summer, participants also receive additional benefits to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets through the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.

Food options include:

· Cheese

· UHT and non-fat dry milk

· Canned vegetables and fruits

· Canned meats and fish

· Breakfast cereals

· Fruit juices

· Rice, spaghetti, and macaroni

· Peanut butter, dried beans

In addition, CSFP provides:

· Guidance in preparing nutritious meals, including cooking demonstrations.

· Nutrition and health information are provided by nutritionists.

· Referrals to health care and social service agencies for other needed services.

For more information on the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, click here.

Dance Project is Hiring New Team Members!

The Dance Project of Washington Heights (DPWH) is now hiring for a number of full-time, part-time, and freelance positions.  The DPWH celebrates diversity and is interested in maintaining a staff that is reflective of the diversity of our student body and participating families. DPWH is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information view visit here and apply!

Free Cancer Screening for the Uninsured 

The Manhattan Cancer Services Program at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital (NYP)  is hosting free Cancer screening for uninsured women & men. They will offer breast and cervical screening for women age 40 or older and colorectal screening for those age 45 or older. For more information or for an appointment call (212)851-4516.

NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board Job Posting

New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board is hiring for the entry-level Investigator role. A CCRB investigator (Level I) is responsible for investigating civilian complaints against the NYPD alleging police misconduct. A large percentage of this career opportunity includes extensive writing, interviewing witnesses and police personnel, researching, juggling competing priorities, working independently, and drafting compelling closing reports. The minimum qualification requirements are a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. 

For more details, please take a moment to review the job posting. If you have any questions regarding the hiring process, please email careers@ccrb.nyc.gov.

PAID Professional Development Opportunity for Local Public School Teachers

Barnard College has pioneered a program called STEAM in the City, an education professional development fellowship aimed at pre-K through 8th-grade teachers working at schools in the Harlem and Morningside Heights neighborhoods.

They are recruiting educators for their next cohort. Any teacher who works with students in Upper Manhattan on STEAM-related coursework is eligible to join; participants will participate in paid professional development sessions about hands-on STEAM learning and receive materials and support to enact STEAM projects. The commitment includes a mandatory professional development week this summer and opportunities for monthly extension workshops and project staffing, and material support throughout the 2022-2023 school year.

Visit here to learn more and email Program Coordinator Yuval Dinoor at ydinoor@barnard.edu with questions.

Federal student loan pause extended to Summer

The student loan moratorium that has allowed millions of Americans to put off debt payments during the pandemic has been extended once again. The Biden administration announced that it is extending the pause on federal student loan payments thru August 31, 2022. The repayment freeze, which began at the start of the pandemic in March 2020, was scheduled to expire next month. Visit here for more information.

Financial Literacy Survey for Harlem Residents 

Columbia Law School students from our Center for Institutional and Social Change Center are looking to develop a financial literacy program for Harlem residents. In an effort to build an equitable and sustainable program, they'd like input directly from Harlem residents.

Visit here to participate and fill out the two-question survey. The survey is completely anonymous, and responses will be used to shape the program's structure only.

Civil Service Exams

The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) represents the largest local government in the U.S., with more than 400,000 employees and 80 agencies. They are providing plenty of career opportunities with great benefits.

The City Jobs and Civil Service announcements for upcoming exams can be found here. Fee waivers are available for UI recipients and New York City residents and receiving full benefits (Cash, Medicaid, and Food Stamps).

New Fare Offerings for New York City Transit

To encourage New Yorkers to get back on subways, buses, and trains and to reduce the cost and worry surrounding everyday travel, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced a pilot fare program that is more affordable, more flexible, and fairer. The pilot will last for at least four months.

Visit here for details and more information.

 Apply Online for Reduced Fare MetroCards

For the first time, seniors and people with qualifying disabilities can apply online for a reduced fare MetroCard. Until now, customers could only apply by mail or in person. This is the MTA's latest effort to bring their services online and eliminate barriers to accessing transit services. To apply, visit here and make sure to click the "interested in OMNY" box at the end to stay up to date with the OMNY rollout.

CaringKind Programs and Services

CaringKind is an Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving organization that works directly with community partners to develop the information, tools, and training to support individuals and families affected by dementia. They provide a helpline staffed by Dementia Care Specialists trained to provide you with the most up-to-date information, education, and support regarding dementia. To access their services, please visit their updated CKConnection form available online here. For more information on any of CaringKind’s Programs and Services, please call the CaringKind Helpline: 646-744-2900 or visit us at www.caringkindnyc.org.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Applying for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will provide protection from evictions and rent increases. If you have missed even one rent payment or only paid partial rent, you may be eligible to get rental assistance. Applying for the ERAP program doesn't guarantee funds will be available. It allows the constituent to reserve a spot on the waiting list should federal funds be available.

                                              What you need to apply:

• Personal identification
• Proof of rental amount
• Proof of residency and occupancy
• Proof of income to document income eligibility
  

Apply today at: otda.ny.gov/erap. If you need additional information or assistance, please call our office: 212.544.017.

Housing Justice Workshops

Housing Court Answers offers training, workshops, and meetings on important housing and housing court issues throughout the year. To check out their events and, for event registration and more information visit here today.

Gun Violence Prevention Initiative  

New York State has launched a long-term jobs program that will serve unemployed, underemployed, and out-of-school young New Yorkers ages 18-24 in areas impacted by high rates of gun violence.

Youth can sign up to participate in our partnership with the Consortium for Worker Education, the workforce development arm of the NYC Central Labor Council. If you’re between 18 and 24 and are interested in job training and placement services, please register here to obtain job training and placement in good, long-term jobs. Please note that youth enrolled in college or university will not be eligible. For more information, please visit this link.

Verano De Rabia: Our Bodies/Our Labor

For the second year in a row, Undocumented Women’s Fund is hosting a 5-part Reproductive Freedom Film Series titled "Verano de Rabia: Our bodies/Our labor." The Film Series will run until August 2022 and be held at an outdoor community space in Washington Heights (570 west 159th street). For more information on dates and times check the flyer below, don’t miss out!

Community Blood Drive at Lincoln Center

Support saving lives on Tuesday, July 19th at the blood drive hosted in partnership with the New York Blood Center at the Rubenstein Atrium from 12:30–6:30 pm. Appointments can be made here.

Mental Health and Healing through Arts Event

Growth and Development Services will host a series of artistic events this summer to support our community's mental health. In this series, they will work together in solidarity to support one another in destigmatizing mental health. See flyer below for event details and to RSVP and submit your Artistic Expression, email  Sarah Simon at sarahsimon@excelgds.org.

MTA Begins Work at 181 St Station

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced work would commence on rail, switch, and signal replacements on the A line at 181 Street, resulting in service suspensions on select weekends beginning a 9:45 pm Friday, July 15.

To accommodate this work, there will be no A train service between Inwood-207 St and 168 St from Friday at 9:45 pm to Monday at 5:00 am.

Select weekends include: 

• July 15 through July 18

• July 22 through July 25

• September 9 through September 12

• October 15 through October 17

• October 22 through October 24

Customers are encouraged to utilize the shuttle bus service. Broadway shuttle buses will make stops between 168 St and Inwood-207 St. Fort Washington Avenue shuttle buses will make stops between 168 St and 190 St. Transfers from train to buses will be available at 168 Street. Customers can also use the nearby 1 train, which will operate on a regular schedule between 168 St-Washington Heights and 207 St.

Fort Tryon Park Summer Events

Over the summer, Fort Tryon Park will host weekly activities for people of all ages. Visit here for the list of activities that will be going on in Fort Tryon Park in the next few months.

Fort Washington Greenmarket

The Fort Washington Greenmarket opened at 168th St & Fort Washington Ave, and the nearby 175th St Greenmarket. The farmer's markets are a great chance for community members to access the freshest, most nutritious locally grown food the region has to offer. Click here to learn more about the nutrition benefit programs and incentives accepted by GrowNYC. 

Escalator Work at the 181st ST A-train Station

From now through February 2023, the three escalators at 181 Street A station will be simultaneously out of service for much-needed repairs. Due to the mechanics of the escalators, all repair work must be undertaken at the same time as they all work through one motor room.

During this time, there will still be access to three elevators available for customers at the 181 St station. All are operating normally and are available at 184 St and Fort Washington Ave at the north end of the station.

W. 79th Street Rotunda Construction

The NYCDOT initiated Stage 1 roadway construction of the Rotunda Complex.

During the Stage 1 roadway construction, vehicles will have limited access the W. 79th Street traffic circle.

• Closure of the majority of the Traffic Circle (shown on the right in red).
  
• Closure of the southbound Henry Hudson Entrance Ramp from rotary.
  
• No westbound traffic on W. 79th Street past the Henry Hudson Parkway northbound entrance ramp.
  
• Parks/Marina garage closed
   

For more detailed information, please read flyer below.

Uptown Stories

Based in upper Manhattan, Uptown Stories is a small group led by master teachers and professional authors that provide young writers ages 8-18 the tools to tell their own stories. Classes meet once a week for ten weeks—all in person—providing our students with the space to explore the craft of writing, engage their imaginations, and connect with a community of writers. To ensure their workshops are accessible to all children, tuition is pay-what-you-can. Please view the flyer below for additional information or scan the QR code on it.

To register  email info@uptownstories.org / or call (929) 27STORY (929.277.8679).

July 2022 at NAMI-NYC

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City (NAMI-NYC) helps families and individuals affected by mental illness build better lives through education, support, and advocacy. Please visit here to view their calendar of events for July.

July at Lincoln Center

Explore all that Lincoln Center has to offer for family and friends, both virtually or in-person in the month of July. Please visit their events calendar here.

Morris-Jumel Mansion in July

As Manhattan’s oldest surviving residence, the Morris-Jumel Mansion, built-in 1765, preserves, collects and interprets history, culture, and the arts to explore inclusive narratives that engage and inspire diverse audiences.

Visit here to see what's happening in July at the Mansion.

Met Council on Housing Mutual Aid Tenants’ Rights Hotline

Met Council on Housing seeks bilingual (English/Spanish) volunteers for their Mutual Aid Tenants’ Rights Hotline team. The hotline serves thousands of tenants all over the city every year. Hotline Team Members answer questions on common tenant issues, inform callers of their rights and help them determine the best course of action to assert those rights. As part of their hotline team, you will be directly assisting tenants in need fight against their predatory, abusive landlords and stay in their homes.

If you’re interested in joining the hotline team, please email katee@metcouncilonhousing.org include any questions you may have about the position.

Food Pantry, Clothing, and Other Supplies in Chelsea & Hell’s Kitchen

If you see someone who you believe is homeless or in need of food, clothing, or other supplies, please direct them to the following providers in either Chelsea or Hell’s Kitchen below:

• Holy Apostle Soup Kitchen - 212-924-0167 296 9th Avenue
• Metro Baptist Church – 212-594-4464 410 West 40th Street

Donate Blood Today!

The teams at Columbia, New York-Presbyterian, and Weill Cornell Medicine would like to encourage you to donate your blood today and help save lives.

For more information on who is eligible to donate, or to sign up, please visit here and click on “Schedule Appointment” or call 1-800-933-2566.

In solidarity, 

RJ