Quote of the Week

"You don’t have to be one of those people that accepts things as they are. Every day, take responsibility for changing them right where you are."

– Cory Booker

Did you know that April 11-17, 2022, as Black Maternal Health Week in the State of New York?

Senator Persaud sponsored Senate Reso. J1370 increase attention in the State of Black maternal health in the U.S., the root causes of poor maternal health
outcomes, and community-driven policy, program, and care solutions.

Maternal Health challenges are clearly linked to disparities in women's access to high quality health care, social determinants of health such as poverty and racism, and other needed resources before, during, and after pregnancy that have a cumulative impact on women's bodies.

These disparities and challenges particularly affect Black women who are up to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, and more than twice as likely to experience severe maternal morbidity compared to white women.

It is imperative that there be greater equitable access to prevention, early identification, and effective treatment services that are delivered in appropriate care setting to improve Black women's chronic health conditions and maternal health.

Are you looking to Foster a Dog or Cat in your borough this spring?

Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) is having a virtual orientation Sunday, April 23rd!

For more information, see flyers below and visit: here.

IRS Face-to-Face Saturday Help available at this location:

Brooklyn IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) Office
2 Metro Tech, 1st floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201

For more information, see here.

New Lots Library will be offering "File Yourself with Help" tax help through the NYC Food Bank (1/31-4/18).

This service will be offered Mondays and Wednesdays 10am until 5pm and Thursdays 11am until 7pm.

Registration is required. Please make an appointment using the QR code on the flyer, by visiting www.foodbanknyc.org/taxhelp or by calling 646-981-6111.

Food Resources

-If you or someone you know qualifies, you may apply for SNAP (food stamps), Cash Assistance, and Medicaid renewal all at the same time here.

-To find the nearest food pantries and community kitchens, call the Emergency Food Hotline at 866-888-8777.

-WIC2Go is a mobile app for New York State WIC recipients. For more information on WIC support, please visit their site or call 844-540-3031.

-For seniors aged 60+ NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA)  provides home delivered meals. You can access them online or call 311 for support, you also can call 212-244-6469 to see if you qualify direct delivery.

-If you are not currently receiving any food benefit (such as Meals on Wheels or SNAP), are unable to get to a grocery store, and do not have anyone to help you, you may qualify for NYC Food Delivery Assistance.

-CityHarvest offers free food every other week across NYC, you can find a location near you here.

Sisters With Purpose Organization 

The Sisters With Purpose will be having an open food pantry on Saturday April 23, 2022 from 9-10am at the Brooklyn Sports Club, located at 1540 Van Siclen Avenue:

For more information, visit here.

A Project Of United Community Centers

UCC will be hosting food distributions at 613 New Lot s Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11207 on Friday April 22, 2022 at 3pm, while supplies last:

For more information call: 718-649-7979 or visit: https://ucceny.org or email: Info@ucceny.org

Statement of Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner:

Social Security Administration to Resume In-Person Services at Local Social Security Offices

Online Services and Telephone Remain Most Convenient Ways to Contact Agency

To learn more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/coronavirus/gethelp/ and https://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices/.

 Additional Information

Most Social Security services are available to the public online at: www.socialsecurity.gov and with a my Social Security account, or by telephone.

And most Social Security services do not require the public to take time to visit an office. People may create their my Social Security account, a personalized online service, at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Search for your county to find COVID-19 guidance for your community

Resources to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19.

For more information, see here.

COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline

NY Project Hope has launched a New York’s COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline. They can be reached at 1-844-863-9314.

For more information, visit their site here. 

ALBANY UPDATES

Bill S8684

“A hearing assistant device is necessary and should not cost thousands of dollars. It is unreasonable and unjust as hearing is one of our essential senses,” said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “This legislation will help open up the world to those with a hearing disability and provide ease so that patients do not have to find thousands of dollars to pay for something their health insurance should cover.” 

Bill S8631

“Genetic testing can be a great tool for discovering any genetically related health concerns,” said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “ Because of this, people decide to get genetic testing done to find out about any predisposed diseases in advance. A patient should not have to disclose their genetic test results to their health insurance, especially considering that companies can use that information to raise rates or deny a person coverage.” 

Bill S8549

“ Preventative care is an essential aspect of one’s health care. It helps maintain our health, allows the early detection of possibly deadly diseases, and gives us a higher chance of recovery,” said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “ We have cancer screening that helps detect and treat cancer in its early stage,  so why can we not provide the same care and coverage for fibroids? People must receive care and treatment before they are in pain, not just once the health condition becomes an emergency. We must continue to provide medical support for everyone at no cost to mitigate the high cost of patient health care and continue improving society’s health.” 

On Saturday, 4/9/22, The New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislators,(The Association) held their 51st Annual Legislative Conference in person with Covid-19 Protocols.

Senator Persaud hosted an opportunity for constituents from the district to make the trip up to Albany for the day. The constituents on the trip included school students from Brooklyn Bridge Academy, Brooklyn Collegiate H.S., Academy of Young Writers, Origins H.S., parents and chaperones.

After a beautiful feast, the group toured the Capitol, met several familiar legislative representatives, and even got to see the Senate Chamber!

Visit Senator Persaud's Facebook page to see more photos from SD19 events. 

Please see below for additional times of alternate service along the L line in the next month:

• From 4:00 a.m. Saturday, April 16 until 10:00 p.m. Sunday, April 17, fare-free shuttle buses will replace L train service from Myrtle Avenue to Broadway Junction (switch replacement)

• From 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. overnight periods, from Monday, April 18 until Friday, April 22, L trains will operate from Lorimer Street to Canarsie-Rockaway Parkway.  Fare-free shuttle bus will operate from the Lorimer Street L to the Marcy Avenue J M for train service to Manhattan (track maintenance)

• From 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. overnight periods, from Monday April 25 to Friday, May 13 (three weeks of weekday overnights), fare-free shuttle buses will replace normal L service between Lorimer Street to Broadway Junction (track and station maintenance)

• From 4:00 a.m. Saturday, May 7 until 10:00 p.m. Sunday, May 8, fare-free shuttle buses will replace L train service from Broadway Junction to Canarsie-Rockaway Parkway (switch replacement)

During the weekend of April 29-May 2, 2022, from 11:30 p.m. Friday until 5:00 a.m. Monday:

• L trains will operate normally in Brooklyn from Myrtle Avenue to Rockaway Parkway in both directions.
  

No L train service between Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn to 8th Avenue, Manhattan. 

• A fare-free shuttle bus will be in operation from the Lorimer Street L station to the Marcy Avenue J M station, stopping at the Bedford Avenue L station.

• A fare-free shuttle bus will be in operation from the Lorimer Street L station to the Myrtle Avenue L station, stopping along the L line at Graham Avenue, Grand Street, Montrose Avenue, Morgan Avenue, Jefferson Street, and Dekalb Avenue.

Notifications will be available on our website at www.new.mta.info and in all affected L stations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, including directional signage to the shuttle buses.

NYC public school families:

Make your voice heard by responding to the NYC School Survey. This information is used by school leaders to prepare for next year.

For the first time this year, families can access the survey by logging into their NYC Schools Account (NYCSA).

You can also take the survey by going to www.nycschoolsurvey.org.

The Deadline to complete the survey is April 15.

Prevent mail theft with these NYPD crime prevention safety tips:

A message from NYPD:

With the warmer weather upon us, please make sure you're wearing the proper protective gear when riding your motorcycle!

The New York State Liberty Medal is the highest civilian honor that can be bestowed by a Member of the New York State Senate upon a resident of New York State. Liberty Medals are adopted by resolution and remain on file in the Secretary of the Senate’s office.  For more information, click here.

The NYS Senate Commendation Award recognizes exceptional people who
have made a lasting contribution to their community.  For more information, click here.

The NYS Senate Empire Award recognizes excellence in business in Senate District 19. For more information, click here.

For more information or to apply, visit:
new.mta.info/careers

Register for the MTA IT Talent Expo! 

Join the tech team that keeps your community moving!

Learn more about what it’s like to work in IT at the MTA and interview for a wide range of open IT positions.

Register now to be considered for a spot at the invite-only Talent Expo on April 26, 27, and 28.

To REGISTER and be considered for an interview, please see here.

Looking for a job? New York City Department of Parks & Recreation is hiring for many seasonal and full-time positions!

Summer work is also available if you’re looking for opportunities like:

Summer camp counselors
Playground associates
Swim instructors
Movie night crews + more

Find the full list of jobs at: https://on.nyc.gov/2TrWggq

Summer Youth Employment

The nation's most extensive youth employment program just got LARGER!

If you are a NYC youth between the ages of 14-24 and looking for a meaningful paid summer experience, apply for the 2022 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).

Visit http://application.nycsyep.com to apply today! 

The deadline to submit applications is 4/22/2022.

Community Resources

Click the button under each graphic for more information.

Senator Persaud would like to hear from you! Press the button to leave any and all inquiries/suggestions you may have. 

Community Conversations, Workshops & Town Halls

Senator Persaud continues to host timely informational workshops and townhall discussions on various topics of importance to constituents. If you haven't had a chance to participate or watch on Facebook Live, the archived recordings are available as a resource to you. View via Facebook or nysenate.gov.

As your State Senator in the 19th Senatorial District: Senator 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, click the logos below for Senator Persaud's official website, Facebook or Twitter.