Zellnor Myrie
Medgar Evers Vaccine Site, Clean Slate Launch, and a Black History Month Event (and more)

Dear neighbors,

Over the weekend, Brooklyn's first vaccine hub began taking appointments from residents in several priority ZIP codes. I'm extremely pleased to share that many of my Central Brooklyn constituents can already book appointments at this site— and that any eligible Brooklyn resident will be able to make appointments starting next week. Please see below for more information about this new vaccination site.

Slowly, the vaccine is becoming more widely available (even though there is nowhere near enough to meet demand right now). And case rates in New York have continued to decline. However, the virus and its variants are still very serious. Our actions over the next few weeks will determine the trajectory of this pandemic. Fewer people have gotten tested for COVID-19 in recent weeks, and more activities are resuming. It is urgent that we continue to get tested, wear face coverings, and keep socially distancing. See below for this week's testing sites in and around our district.

Our Clean Slate legislation was profiled in yesterday's Daily News. This important legislation will make it easier for New Yorkers with conviction records to have those records expunged, allowing them to obtain housing and employment they are otherwise entitled to. I hope you'll join us for our official launch event for Clean Slate on Thursday morning at 10:30am. Please click here to register.

Also, another key priority of ours was profiled in Gothamist over the weekend. The Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Act (C-VIPA) would allocate a portion of New York's Victims of Crime Act funding to community- and hospital- based violence prevention programming. I hope you'll join the fight to get this critical language included in the State budget.

Finally, this Thursday night at 6:00pm, we'll be hosting a Community Conversation for Black History Month. This important panel will include several notable Central Brooklyn leaders discussing our shared history and our vision for the future. I hope to see you there.

In solidarity,


Zellnor Y. Myrie
New York State Senator, 20th District
VACCINE UPDATE:
PRIORITY ACCESS FOR ELIGIBLE CENTRAL BROOKLYN RESIDENTS!
 

Since the beginning the pandemic, I've demanded a strong focus on equity to make sure the hardest-hit communities are not left behind in vaccine distribution. I am proud to share that Brooklyn's new vaccination hub, the State's largest, will open to residents of our district beginning this Wednesday, February 24.

Thousands of vaccine appointments are available at Medgar Evers College right now.

Priority registration is open to eligible residents in the following ZIP codes:

  • 11206
  • 11221
  • 11216
  • 11238
  • 11225
  • 11213
  • 11233
  • 11207
  • 11208
  • 11236
  • 11212
  • 11203
  • 11226
  • 11210

If you're eligible, I encourage you to make your appointment right away by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX ((1-833-697-4829) or clicking below.
 
Check Your Eligibility and Book Now
COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout: The Latest
 

Our office has received many questions from constituents about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and how to obtain the vaccine. We know the process has been confusing, and the situation changes frequently as availability and eligibility rules evolve. Here is what we know right now:

  • New Yorkers of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are eligible for the vaccine. These include diabetes, heart disease, asthma, pregnancy and more. For the latest eligibility details, click here.
  • There are many different places to obtain the vaccine, each with its own way of making appointments. This is a frustrating element of the current system and city officials are hoping to improve it soon. In the meantime, the NYC Vaccine Finder can show you nearby locations offering the vaccine and provide information on how to make an appointment.
    • If you have underlying conditions, the best place to start looking for an appointment is through your current medical provider.
    • Some sites require you to create an online account to book an appointment.
    • For City-run sites, you may call 877-829-4692 to book by phone. For State-run sites (including the Medgar Evers site), you may call 833-697-4829. For either phone number, expect long wait times.
    • A volunteer effort called NYC Vaccine List has created a centralized hub for finding open appointments. You can find this resource here.
  • New sites and new appointment times are frequently added, but you must keep checking— at different sites and different times— to find an available appointment.
  • I will continue to strongly advocate for a vaccine process that is equitable and accessible to everyone, and will keep you informed as the situation continues to change (and hopefully improve) soon.
 
Visit the NYC Vaccine Finder to Locate Sites Near You
*NEW* COVID Testing Options Across Our District

Many of these sites are reporting little or no wait times! Check wait times here.

Even with vaccines available, it is important that everyone get tested frequently for COVID-19, even if you don't feel sick. Free, walk-up testing is available at the following sites in or near our district (no appointments required):

  • **NEW BROWNSVILLE TESTING SITES**
    • Across from 384 Blake Avenue (every day, 8am-7pm)
    • 1432 Pitkin Avenue (Tuesday + Thursday, 10am-4pm)
    • 1721 Pitkin Avenue (Tuesday - Thursday, 10am-4pm)
  • **NEW SUNSET PARK TESTING SITES**
    • 5007 Seventh Avenue (Tuesday + Wednesday, 9:30am-4pm)
    • Corner of 44th Street and Sixth Avenue (everyday, 8am-7pm)
  • **NEW CROWN HEIGHTS TESTING SITES**
    • 196 Albany Avenue (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)
  • NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, 451 Clarkson Avenue (Monday-Saturday, 7am-6pm and Sunday, 9am-1pm)
  • Crown Heights Rapid Test Center, 1218 Prospect Place (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) (appointments required for this site only, click here)
FIND MORE TESTING SITES
SUNY For All: Free Skill-Building Courses
 

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused tremendous setbacks for New Yorkers everywhere. This is why I’m pleased to share information about SUNY For All– a free skill-building and college prep program that’s 100% online. It’s convenient and can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Whether you need English as a Second Language, career development or support to further your academic journey, this program can help you get there and move you forward.

It also sets you on a path to earn a higher education by automatically enrolling you into any of SUNY’s 30 Community Colleges, Empire State College or SUNY Canton on your own timetable.  And you won’t do this alone! SUNY will provide success coaches to ensure you complete each stage successfully.

Take advantage of this free resource and sign up here to talk to someone who can help get you started today.
COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020
 

At the end of December, Governor Cuomo signed into law our bill to halt evictions and foreclosures for New Yorkers facing financial hardship due to the pandemic.

  • Tenants who have lost income or had increased costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, or for whom moving would pose a significant COVID-related health risk, are protected from eviction until at least May 1, 2021 for nonpayment of rent or for holding over after the expiration of your lease. Tenants will still owe unpaid rent to the landlord, and can still be evicted for violating other terms of your lease such as engaging in hazardous behavior.
  • Property owners who have lost income or had increased costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, are protected from foreclosure and tax liens until at least May 1, 2021. Property owners will still owe unpaid mortgage payments and fees to the lender.

In order to be protected from eviction or foreclosure, you must complete a Hardship Declaration Form and return it to your landlord or the court (if you are a tenant) or your mortgage lender (if you are a property owner). Landlords and mortgage lenders are required to provide this form to you, but they are also available on my website.

For more information, please visit the Office of Court Administration website. If you have questions about these forms or any other housing-related issues please contact my office.
 
Community Announcements
  • FREE TAX PREP: You can get free help using NYC Free Tax Prep at most sites if your family earned $68,000 or less or you are a single filer who earned $48,000 or less in 2020. IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers can prepare returns for you or assist you in preparing your own returns online. Find a location or set up a virtual appointment by calling 311 or go to nyc.gov/taxprep.
  • MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT PROGRAM RECRUITING: This 13-week full-time training, Monday through Friday 9 am - 4 pm, is for youth ages 17-24 with their High School diploma or HSE who are interested in a career in healthcare. Participants earn their Medical Administrative Assistant Certification from the National Health career Association and learn medical terminology, basic bookkeeping, communications, telephone techniques, and customer service. Participants will intern in medical offices and receive job placement assistance. Must be 17-24 years old, must have a high school diploma or HSE, not enrolled in school, must be unemployed, U.S work-eligible, must reside in New York City. Must be available Monday-to-Friday, 9am-to-4pm. To apply, email SGuzman@obtjobs.org, including: the program of interest, whether you meet the criteria requirements and contact information to reach you.

  • FRESH FOOD BOXES IN BROWNSVILLE: Brownsville community members can now receive a weekly supply of cooking greens, salad greens, and popular herbs alongside a unique assortment of locally sourced seasonal fruit and vegetables and shelf-stable items from GrowNYC, Ace Endico, Bowery Farming and local partner Brooklyn Packers. Brownsville Fresh Food Box distributions take place every Saturday from 10:00am - 4:00pm at Collective Fare at the BCCC (located at 69 Belmont Ave). Each Fresh Food Box contains over $30 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables plus grocery basics that can feed 1-2 people for an entire week for just $7 when paying with SNAP/EBT or $10 with cash. Distributions will also feature on-site pre-screening support for SNAP registration from Hunger-Free America trained staff to help more residents easily access healthy food throughout their community. Customers can sign up in advance at bit.ly//brownsvillefoodbox, or can walk in during any distribution.

  • RE-ENTRY HOTLINE OPEN: The Community Service Society and Youth Represent have launched a Reentry Legal Hotline, linking New Yorkers to experienced legal staff who can help resolve conviction history-related employment, licensing, job clearance, work conditions, and other issues - through advice, brief service, administrative advocacy or litigation, depending on what is needed. They also advise on conviction history-related matters, represent eligible individuals in records-sealing applications, and assist in obtaining Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct. All services are provided free of charge. Please call (646) 759-8088.

District Office:
1077 Nostrand Avenue
Ground Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11225
(718) 284-4700

Albany Office:
188 State Street, Legislative Office Bldg.
Room 903
Albany, NY 12247
(518) 455-2410