Quote of the Week

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Did you know: President Biden Announced Student Loan Relief for Borrowers?   

A three-part plan delivers on President Biden’s promise to cancel $10,000 of student debt for low- to middle-income borrowers.

For more information, see here.

For more information and to sign up, see here.

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

OPEN FOOD PANTRY

Sisters with purpose is hosting an outside grab and go food pantry Saturdays from 9am-10am at Brooklyn Sports Club 1540 Van Siclen Ave Brookylyn, NY 11239.

See below for all upcoming dates:

September: 3, 10, 17, 24

For more information see here or call 646-460-4101.

New Service Added: Labor Day Service Update from NYC Sanitation

In advance of the Labor Day holiday, the New York City Department of Sanitation has announced additional service and a change in guidance for Monday, September 5, 2022.

 Residents who normally receive Monday trash collection should place their material at the curb SUNDAY EVENING, between 4 p.m. and midnight, for collection beginning Monday. 

This pilot “on-holiday pick-up” represents an additional service as collection normally does not take place on the holiday.

Residents who normally receive Monday recycling collection should place their material out at curbside between 4 p.m. and midnight on the following Sunday, September 11, for pickup on Monday, September 12.

Residents who normally receive Monday curbside composting collection should place their material at the curb between 4 p.m. and midnight Monday evening, for collection beginning the next day, Tuesday, September 6.
 

While the Department strives to offer this service, please note that collection delays are common after holidays. We appreciate patience as we work to collect the material.

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

Upcoming Alternate L Line Service
 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority continues to perform station improvement and track maintenance work along the L line in Brooklyn.

 From 11:30 p.m. Friday until 5:00 a.m. Monday, weekends of September 16-19 and October 7-10, 2022:

Fare-free shuttle buses will replace regular L train service between Lorimer Street and Broadway Junction.

 Notifications will be available at www.new.mta.info and in all affected L stations in Brooklyn, including directional signage to the shuttle buses. MTA personnel will be available to direct customers to the shuttle buses.

The deadline to get a REAL ID is May 3, 2023 – after that, a standard license will no longer be accepted to board a plane or enter federal facilities.

With same-day and next-day appointments available at most DMV offices across the state, now is the best time to upgrade and avoid the last-minute rush.

For more information, see here.

Verizon expands customers' ability to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Verizon’s landline customers can now call the “988 Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline” using the new 988 abbreviated dialing code. Wireless customers can also send text messages to the 988 short code.

As part of this new feature:

• Wireless callers should dial 9-8-8 just as they dial any other three-digit code like 911 or 211. There are no airtime or other charges. 
  
• To reach the Lifeline via wireless text message, they should enter “988” as the recipient and initiate their conversation with the Lifeline, just as they send any other text message. There are no charges for 988 texts.
  
• Landline callers should dial 9-8-8, just as they dial any other three-digit code.*
• For voice calls, callers can press “1” to reach the Veterans Crisis Line, and “2” for Spanish language support. And the Lifeline’s current toll free number – 1-800-273-8255 – remains available. 

More information about 988 is available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at: www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988

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 New York’s COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline.

They can be reached at 1-844-863-9314.

For more information, visit their site here. 

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

Scammers have been targeting Medicare recipients with a fake offer to get “free COVID tests.” They’re calling and running websites, online and television ads to try to convince people to give their Medicare information. But if you give them your information, they’ll bill fraudulent charges to Medicare.

For more information on this scam see here.

As always, report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Friday, 8.19, Senator Persaud and staffer Jennifer attended a ribbon cutting for the reopening of a Dunkin' Franchise located at 1556 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11221.

Congratulations to the local social service organization Neighbors Together who received a corporate donation of $1000.00.

Saturday, 8.20, Senator Persaud made many stops around this busy Saturday in the district, but the first event was right at the District office with the New York City Department Of Environmental Protection (DEP) sponsored Rain Barrel distribution where eighty persons received a rain barrel.

With the rain barrels, food supplies, COVID-19 home test kits, hand sanitizer, and other resources were also distributed. Thanks to Edmundo McKenzie, Canarsie Lion Valerie, her son Bobby and Kamla Millwood for coming out to assist.

Saturday, 8.20, Senator Persaud attended Senator Persaud and staffer Sandy attended the Williams & Georgia Towers Family Day Cookout.

Saturday, 8.20, Senator Persaud attended the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Bayview Houses Family Day. The community showed up in droves for the fun, games, music, food, and laughter. The event had an abundance of resources and giveaways form multiple agencies in attendance. Staffer Christine was also in attendance giving out pertinent information from the SD19 office.

Saturday, 8.20,  Senator Persaud visited The Open Door Apostolic Tabernacle Back to School event on Seaview Avenue in Canarsie.

Saturday, 8.20,  Senator Persaud attended a community block party hosted by Ebenezer Urban Ministry Center & Hope Center Development. 

Saturday, 8.20, Senator Persaud also stoped by Liberty Hall Cathedral of Praise Annual Community Health/Back To School Fair Giveaway & Concert.

Saturday, 8.20, Staffer Jennifer represented Senator Persaud at the NYPD 69th Precinct Clergy Council's Gospel Splash held in Canarsie Park.

Saturday, 8.20, Senator Persaud and staffer Sandy were joined by Kamla Millwood and stopped by the Christ Church Secondary School Alumni Association of NY Day of Sports.

This was a fundraising event to provide back to school supplies to students at Christ Church Secondary School.

Senator Persaud greeted the attendees who came from various communities for a day of fun.

Sunday, 8.21, Staffer Jennifer delivered remarks on behalf of Senator Persaud at the Grenada Carriacou & Petite Martinique Day that was held at Old Boys and Girls High School Field, located at 777 Rutland Road.

This amazing annual event included RBC dancers, Calypso performers such as Tallpree, Skinny Banton, Mr. Legs, Sweety the Artist and stilt walkers.

Multiple vendors sold delicious food in abundance and visitors were able to enjoy traditional Grenadian dishes such as Callalou soup, cocoa balls, crab back, fudge, oil down and much more!

Thursday, 8.25, After many months of preparation, Senator Persaud hosted her annual SD19 Community Fun Day and Backpack giveaway in Canarsie Park.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the event. The weather was hot and sunny and hundreds of attendees enjoyed cold refreshing drinks, fruits, and healthy and nutritious lunches.

As children entered the park, they participated in spinning the prize wheel at Senator Persauds' table. More than forty organizations, government agencies, health professions, schools, and small businesses provided services and items at no charge to the community.

Children and guests had a plethora of entertainment including, balloon art from Ding-A-Ling the clown, games from Fun Bash and Millennium Development, rock wall climbing provided by NYPD, mobile smoke house from the FDNY, DSNY provided a beautiful roving truck of art for all to admire the beautiful artwork. Staff was also there to teach the importance of recycling, and stilt walkers by Tropical Fete performed to soca music entertaining the massive crowd.

Kamla Millwood, the featured author at the SD 19 Reading Corner, read stories to children from her Peach The Duck series. 

The NYC Department of Education Summer Meals program provided more than seven hundred boxed meals. Some snacks were donated by Shoppers World- Pitkin Ave, and watermelons were from Pagano Watermelon Corp.

Kings Plaza Shopping Center and Broadway Stages donated backpacks with school supplies. One Brooklyn Health System at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center donated drawstring bags, also with school supplies.

Thank you to the numerous other organizations such as Emblem Health Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center, Uncommon Schools, Four Seasons Healthcare Solutions, Police Athletic League NYC, Con Edison, NYC Administration for Children's Services- ACS, East Flatbush Village, Carpenter Contractor Alliance of Metropolitan New York, NYC Health + Hospitals, and Genuine Gems that distributed back-to-school supplies and more at their tables.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered. Thank you to the NYPD 63rd and 69th pct Officers and Explorers, NYPD 75th Pct officers, Midwood Lions club, Canarsie Lions Club, Brooklyn Transitions Lions Club, Jackie McKinnon and Karen Wharton, all of whom have volunteered for multiple years. CCA Metro/ Carpenters Union, thank you for always being part of our events.
Thank you to Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and CB 18 District Manager for joining us.

Finally, thanks to the SD 19 staff, some of whom came from Albany.

Friday, 8.26, Senator Persaud and staffer Jennifer joined the NYPD 69th Precinct Commanding Officer, Captain Khandakar Abdullah and his team as well as key stakeholders and elected officials/representatives for a very productive meeting to design a crime prevention plan for Labor Day weekend.

Saturday, 8.27, Senator Persaud greeted the attendees at Assemblymember NIkki Lucas' Annual Back to School Event.

Staffer Jennifer distributed over one hundred SD19 resource packets to the families present. Staffer Sandy Miller and Kamla Millwood were also in attendance.

Sunday, 8.28, Senator Persaud was honored to present a New York State Proclamation to the family of Ms. Manya Genzelinakh on this very special 100th birthday milestone.

Her daughter, grandson and son-in-law were there with cakes and balloons to celebrate the happy occasion.

Saturday, 8.27, Senator Persaud, her staffer Sandy and volunteer Kamla Millwood, attended the Spring Creek Gardens Tenant Association's, Family Day.

The fun-filled event included face painting, a basketball tournament, music, bouncy house and a game truck. Cotton candy, hamburgers and hotdogs were on the menu. 

Thank you also to NYPD 75th Precinct for attending this community event and partaking in the fun with the constituents.

Saturday, 8.27, Senator Persaud joined Senator James Sanders Jr.(who represents the 10th district in Queens), for the launch of the 2022 Queens Carnival held in Far Rockaway, Queens. Senator Persaud, was accompanied by her staffer Sandy and constituent/volunteer, Kamla Millwood.

Saturday, 8.27, Senator Persaud, staffer Sandy, and volunteer Kamla Millwood attended the Back To School Drive by Consuming Fires Ministries International Inc. held in Canarsie Park.

Sunday, 8.28, Senator Persaud and staffer Sandy attended Guyana Day at the Coney Island Amphitheater.

Many friendly faces came out for a celebration of cultures, music and food.

Monday 8.29, Staffers Heather Phillip and Jennifer represented the Office of Senator Persaud at the NYPD Community Bureau Brooklyn Outreach and NYPD 69th Precinct (Brooklyn) Back to School Giveaway.

Thursday 9.1, Staffer Jennifer represented Senator Persaud at Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Health and Wellness Live it Up Event held at St Lawrence Parish in East New York.

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

Do you have federal student loans? Have you worked in public service (for a government agency, the military, or a non-profit organization)?

If so, find out whether you’re eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Limited Waiver, which expires on October 31, 2022.

Thousands of federal student loan borrowers have used the waiver to get closer to total loan forgiveness.

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!

To register. see here.

To register and learn more, please see here.

Juilliard welcomes dancers ages 10-18 to the inaugural Juilliard Dance Experience!

This one-day in-person workshop on September 18 will give intermediate and advanced dancers the chance to experience Juilliard’s dance program and take technique classes with the Dance Division’s faculty and students. Participants will join more than 100 dancers for this inaugural day of dance.

Juilliard Dance and Juilliard K-12 Programs and Initiatives look forward to welcoming the next generation of dancers to campus. No audition is required and students of all backgrounds are invited to participate.

Detailed information about the day and scholarships, see here.

Registration is now open!

Please complete the form here by the registration deadline of September 9, 2022.

Questions can be emailed to k12programs@juilliard.edu.

For more information, please see here.

See here.

DFTA Launches Silver Stars Program

In the Department for the Aging's continued efforts to fight ageism and give older adults the opportunity to continue contributing to the workforce, we launched a new program called Silver Stars.

Designed for retired civil servants who want to continue working, this program is an opportunity for them to be hired by a City agency where they can earn up to $35,000 working part-time, while continuing to receive benefits from the City's pension system.

To learn more about this opportunity, you can visit the Older Adult Employment page on our website, email SilverStars@aging.nyc.gov, or call Aging Connect at 212-Aging-NYC (212-244-6469).

REGISTER NOW: BRIDGE TO CLOUD, ESOL, HSE OR JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES!

Get your GED, gain Job Skills, earn Industry-Certified Credentials, get Job Placement Assistance, College Access, and English Language Skills.

All Training programs are FREE and offer *Student Stipends.

For more information, see here.

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS

Please see link below for Civil Service exams currently available:

For list see here.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

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.

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.

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.

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.