Quote of the Week

“Music, at its essence, is what gives us memories. And the longer a song has existed in our lives, the more memories we have of it.”

—Stevie Wonder

Did you know that June 2022, is African-American Music Appreciation Month in the State of New York?

"Music has the power to lift our spirits, comfort our souls, and inspire our hearts. It gives a voice to the human spirit, creating a common language that unites people and breaks down barriers. Perhaps no music has had as profound and powerful an impact in shaping America’s musical score as Black music. Intricately woven into the tapestry of our Nation, Black music enriches our lives and pushes the boundaries of creativity. Throughout the decades and across the country, Black music has fueled a myriad of genres — from rhythm and blues to jazz, gospel, country, rap and more.

This month, we celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Black music on American culture and recognize the indelible impact it continues to have on the world."

-Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Read A Proclamation on Black Music Appreciation Month, 2022 from White House Briefing Room.

Free Summer Meals Available

Breakfast and lunch will continue beyond the instructional school year. Our Summer Meals Program is available throughout New York City to anyone ages 18 years old and under.

Designated public schools, community pool centers, parks, and food trucks will be open for service.

No registration, documentation, or ID is necessary to receive a free breakfast or lunch meal. 

How To Find Locations:

View the 2022 Summer Meals location listing (all sites, dates and times are subject to change).

Website: www.schools.nyc.gov/summermeals
Text: NYC Food to 304-304 (standard text messaging rates may apply)
Call: 311

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.

Message from New York City Department of Sanitation:

No Trash, Recycling or Compost Collection, nor Street Cleaning, on Independence Day, Monday, July 4, 2022.

The New York City Department of Sanitation announced that in observance of Independence Day, there will be no trash, recycling or compost collection, nor street cleaning, on Monday, July 4, 2022.

Residents who normally receive Monday trash or compost collection may place their material at the curb between 4 p.m. and midnight Monday evening, however there will be collection delays, as is common after holidays.
We appreciate patience as we work to collect the backlog of material.

Residents who normally receive Monday recycling collection should place their material out at curbside between 4 p.m. and midnight on Sunday, July 10 for pickup on Monday, July 11.

Additionally, all Sanitation Department administrative offices will be closed on Monday, July 4 in observance of the holiday.

For questions about Sanitation services and holiday schedules contact 311 or visit nyc.gov/sanitation.

Reminder: Effective July 5, 2022 Alternate Side Parking (ASP) Regulations will be restored in full service to the pre-pandemic frequency schedules. Learn more at nyc.gov/ASP.

NYC Test & Trace discontinue additional COVID-19 services, including meal delivery services and take care packages

Below are some details on the City’s Meal Delivery Service and Take Care Package programs.

Meal Delivery Service

Background: Currently New Yorkers who are isolating or quarantining due to COVID-19 infection or exposure, and who are unable to reliably obtain food, are eligible to request emergency home meal delivery for a maximum of 10 days.  

Summary Stats: NYC Test & Trace has delivered 678,120 meals since November 2021, when Test & Trace took over emergency meal delivery from DSNY. 

Decline in demand: Emergency Meal delivery requests have been declining at around 15-20% per week since May, and are at their lowest levels, with around ~1000 requests per week.  

End Date: As of June 27th, Test & Trace will discontinue meal delivery service.   

Other Services: New Yorkers who need food resources can call the NYC Emergency Food Line at 866-888-8777 for information on the nearest food pantries and community kitchens, or call 311. They can also visit the GetFoodNYC map to find free food locations. 

Take Care Packages

Background: Currently NYC Test & Trace provides “Take Care” packages to New Yorkers who test positive for or were exposed to COVID-19, which includes personal protective equipment (PPE) for a household of three to quarantine for 10 days (grade masks, hand sanitizer, a thermometer and two rapid antigen tests).

Summary Stats: NYC Test + Trace has delivered 643,330 Take Care Packages to date.  

Decline in Demand: Take Care Package requests have declined in recent months and are averaging below 1000 requests per week.  

End Date: As of June 27th, Test & Trace will discontinue delivery of take care packages. 

Beginning on July 1st, the City will no longer be deploying mobile vaccine units.

The City will continue to administer mobile testing units throughout the summer. 

The existing medical infrastructure in NYC (Doctor’s offices, pharmacies, etc) has ongoing capacity to administer 300,000 vaccines per week.

Almost every New Yorker lives within one mile of a location administering a COVID-19 vaccine.

As of 5/23/22, there are over 1,000 unique locations administering the COVID-19 vaccine via vaccine finder (link: https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/).

Ever wanted to dispose of something, but wasn't sure about the proper way to do so?

Find and FOLLOW proper disposal info at on.nyc.gov/howtogetridof

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. 

Monday 6.27, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli honored Caribbean and Caribbean American individuals and organizations at a celebration on Monday in honor of Caribbean Heritage Month.

Senator Persaud thanks NYS Office Of State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli for the honor and the support.

Congratulations to all honorees, Michele Voltaire Marcelin, multi talented artist, performer, poet, writer, and painter; the Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival; and Angela Yee, American Radio personality.

Wednesday 6.29, Senator Persaud and staff attended the Kings Plaza Caribbean Heritage Month Celebration.

Tuesday 6.28, staffer Jennifer represented Senator Persaud at the NYPD 69th Precinct Community Council's general meeting and presented the Senate Cop Of The Month Certificate to PO Nicholas Ringelspaugh.

Commanding Officer, Captain Khandakar Abdullah gave a comprehensive report and answered questions from community members.

Wednesday 6.29, staffer Christine represented Senator Persaud and delivered greetings at the Abe Stark Senior Center PRIDE celebration event.

The active adults had a fantastic time playing Pride trivia and won many awesome prizes while they enjoyed appetizers, drinks, lunch, and desserts.

Thank you to the Abe Stark and staff for organizing another outstanding event for our seniors!

Monday 6.27, Ending graduation season with visits around the district, Senator Persaud was pleased to deliver greetings to the graduating class of the New York City Department of Education High School for Civil Rights and Law.

She presented State Senate Resolutions to the Valedictorian and Salutatorian. 

Best wishes to all graduates!

Monday 6.27, staffers Christine and Jennifer represented Senator Persaud at the multiagency meeting held at Pink Houses Community Center with elected officials, residents of Jewel Street, and other community stakeholders to discuss the updates on improving the environmental conditions of the affected areas of The Hole (Brooklyn and Queens).

Saturday 6.25, Staffers Christine and Winston distributed food supplies, COVID-19 home test kits and hand sanitizers at the Brooklyn Public Library Stop 'N' Swap where people gave away items they no longer needed, and/or took home something new.

This event was a partnership between the Public library and Grow NYC.

Sunday 6.26, Senator Persaud and staffers Sandy and Jennifer attended the Tropicalfete Caribbean Carnival Festival at Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza. The carnival was a celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month. Despite the hot temperature, everyone had an enjoyable afternoon.

Saturday 6.25, Senator Persaud attended the White and June Birthdays party with our active adults at Vandalia Neighborhood Senior Center. 

They active adults were all dressed in their white outfits and having a fantastic time dancing to the music. 
Center Director Simone Dundas always hosts a great party for her seniors.

Saturday 6.25, Senator Persaud and staffer Sandy attended the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC) opening of the Sanitation Museum Pop-up at Floyd Bennett Field.

The Sanitation Museum Pop-up photo exhibit is currently on display outside the Ryan Visitor Center along Flatbush Avenue. The exhibit will be on display through early September.

The exhibit is part of the 11th Annual Photoville Festival, which includes over 60 exhibitions across the five boroughs.

Representatives of the National Park Service were also in attendance.

More information about the exhibit is available at this link here.

Saturday 6.25, staffer Jennifer represented Senator Persaud at the NYPD 73rd Precinct Brownsville Community Café event.

Jennifer distributed over 100 packets with SD19 resources to attendees and joined with elected officials and representatives to warmly greet everyone.

Friday, 6.24, Senator Persaud attended the high school graduation ceremony at Brooklyn Bridge Academy. She addressed the graduates and presented them with NY State Senate Certificates of congratulations.

Friday 6.24, Senator Persaud attended the Community Sip & Paint Against Gun Violence at I.S. 68 Issac Bildersee Playground.

Staffer Jennifer was also in attendance at the very creative and interactive event geared towards reducing the incidence of gun violence in the community.

Special thanks to the organizers and partners, including NYPD 69th Pct Community Affairs.

Thursday 6.23, Senator Persaud and staffer Jennifer were delighted to attend Assemblymember Jaime Williams Concert Series held in Marine Park Brooklyn.

Thursday 6.23, Senator Persaud and staffer Jennifer attended the East New York Arts and Civics High School graduation ceremony

Senator Persaud was delighted to join with the guest speaker - Fashion Designer Fe Noel, to give words of inspiration to the graduates.

Wednesday, 6.22, Senator Persaud delivered the commencement address for the NYC Department of Education graduating class of 2022 at The Phyllis Wheatley School - P.S. 328.

Wednesday 6.22, Staffer Christine represented Senator Persaud at the Su Casa Dance Presentation at the Abe Stark Older Adult Center.

The participating dancers put together a routine to the song "I wish I knew how it would feel to be free" by Nina Simone.

Thank you to the Abe Stark staff and Millennium Development for keeping our Older Adults active.

Wednesday, 6.22, Senator Persaud and staffer Jennifer attended NYC Department of Education PS 115 Showcase. Senator Persaud greeted the audience and congratulated the students and teachers on an enjoyable cultural showcase.

Wednesday, 6.22, Senator Persaud attended and delivered remarks at the celebration of the opening of Osborne Association's new Marcus Garvey Supportive Housing Program located in Brownsville.

This exciting program provides 52 new apartments for people reentering the community from incarceration who would otherwise be homeless or unstably housed.

The guests also received a tour of the new housing and were treated to great refreshments provided by Just Soul Catering; a Justice involved social enterprise.

Tuesday, 6.21, Senator Persaud and staffer Eileen visited the Abe Stark Older Adult Center  for their Father's Day Summer Party.

Monday, 6.20, Senator Persaud joined her colleagues, advocates, and community representatives to witness Governor Kathy Hochul sign the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act into law at Medgar Evers College.

In our nation, NY is the state with the strongest voting rights protections and protections against voter suppression.

Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and advocates for making history with the legislation.

Saturday, 6.18, Senator Persaud attended the Brooklyn Salutes Award presented by BY-Ways Hedges & CCN, Inc. The theme of the evening was: "Don't Lose Hope".

Congratulations to NYPD 63rd Precinct Community Affairs Officer Ronette Benjamin.

Honorees also included:
NYPD 71st Precinct Sgt Baratta & San Antonio Tx. Dep. Chief Milton Troy Smith, clergy and community members.

Thanks to Rev. Terry Lee for his continued activism to improve our communities.

Saturday, 6.18, Senator Persaud joined Critical Thinking NY and No Limits for Youth at a Chess tournament and Closing Ceremony at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Nostrand Houses.

Critical Thinking NY is bringing the many evidence-based benefits of chess to the youth of New York City.

Staffer Sandy was also in attendance.

Saturday, 6.18, Senator Persaud and staffer Sandy attended the 69th Precinct Medal Day Ceremony.

The award ceremony was held at Beraca Baptist Church followed by a reception at the Midget Squadron Yacht Club.

Congratulations to the NYPD 69th Precinct Officers, Auxiliary and civilian personnel who received awards.

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

Visit fdnysmart.org for more summer safety tips. 

How to prepare for hurricane season 2022 and avoid storm-related scams.

For more information, see here.

For more information, see here.

Tenants of NYC:

Did you know that you can get free 1-on-1 help and guidance on housing-related issues, which may include referral to free legal services?

Call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline to get connected to a PEU Specialist!

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, see here.

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS

Please see link below for Civil Service exams currently available:

For list see here.

Registration for the next NYPD Police Officer exam is now open for filing from June 8, 2022 - July 12, 2022.

Please visit www1.nyc.gov/nypdcareers for more details and to register.

Become a New York City sanitation worker!

The New York City Department of Sanitation civil service exam is open for filing through June 30, 2022.

See if you qualify to take the exam by visiting: https://on.nyc.gov/dsny-exam and apply today.

Excelsior Scholarship Application is Now Available!

The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other student financial aid programs, allows students to attend a SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. The program covers tuition for eligible SUNY and CUNY students.

For the 2022-23 academic year, families who earned $125,000 or less in the tax year 2020 are eligible to apply.

The 2022-23 Excelsior Scholarship application is open May 24 - August 31

For more information, see here.

To Apply:

YWCA-NYC x NYSID Summer 2022 Program Application

STEAAM ON PROGRAM

See here.

NYCHA CUNY Scholarships Now Open!

NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES) is excited to announce that the applications for college scholarships are now open!

NYCHA offers multiple scholarships to support residents as they increase their income and assets through higher education. All scholarships award one-time $1,000 grants to eligible residents who are pursuing undergraduate degrees at a City University of New York (CUNY) college.

All applications must be submitted online by July 14, 2022.

To apply, please use the NYCHA self-service portal and select NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship on the left hand navigation pane. If an applicant does not already have access, they must create a username and password.

For a full list of scholarships and eligibility criteria, please visit here.

Any questions or requests for additional information should be sent to scholarships@nycha.nyc.gov.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

The Mayors Office of Media & Entertainment (MOME) is excited to announce the opening of the Sound Thinking NYC Summer Program application!

Sound Thinking NYC (STNYC) is a free program for public high school students offered by the CUNY Creative Arts Team (CAT) and the Mayor's Office for Media and Entertainment (MOME), in partnership with NY Is Music.

All New York City public high school students interested in exploring how to turn their passion for music into a career are encouraged to apply.

Please see their website for additional info or click here to apply! 

The Safe in the City Grant from the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, led by the Office of Neighborhood Safety, offers funding opportunities from $1,500-$10,000 to support community-based actions that will make neighborhoods safer.

For more information, see here.

Summer Rising Enrollment is now OPEN!

Visit: www.nyc.gov/SummerRising

You can also review the Summer Rising Enrollment Family Guide on how to enroll.

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

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. 

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.