Dear Neighbors of District 35!
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In this third week of our current ‘stay in place’ world I am reflecting on the things that motivate me to serve you. I wish I could eradicate hunger, I wish every one that wants company and companionship had someone to love and love them, I wish every senior was looked after and provided for, and in good health, I wish every vulnerable person was safe and protected, I wish there was no housing insecurity, I wish every child had parents that are capable and willing to love them unconditionally. I wish every wanna be parent had a child of their own. I wish we had enough resources for the district and Brooklyn as a whole, I wish we were not in a pandemic and uncertain of its outcome, I wish.
Yes I want a lot of wrong things to be right, but I was taught long ago that you need to be the change you wish to see in the world. I come from a long line of fierce men and women who have faced insurmountable odds and achieved great things. I ran for office to be the change I want to see. I cannot eradicate hunger but I can do everything I can to identify resources that provide food for the food insecure and make sure they get fed. I cannot be a companion to all that are lonely, but I can work to fund organizations that provide companionship for our elderly and shut-in. I cannot protect every vulnerable person but I can coordinate outreach and services for those that are victims and survivors of domestic violence. I cannot create healthy families but I can work to improve the environment so that families can thrive and family matches can happen. I cannot end homelessness but I work every day to advocate for those that are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. I can make sure people fill out the 2020 Census, so that we can get the funds we deserve to make these changes possible. This is why I became a public servant. You see, not working tirelessly toward these things would make me feel as if I am a disappointment in the eyes of my ancestors and family members who did so much, with so little.
I like to journal to create a reflective reference for myself and boy, is this a time that is going to produce so much emotion, growth, and reflection. We cannot predict what life will be like after COVID-19, but we CAN choose to come out of this stronger. We CAN observe the deficits that we are currently faced with in government and public services and choose to improve them. We CAN make it through this pandemic and be a better society and better individuals as a whole. We CAN do those things, together.
As we lay down to rest, or if you read this in the morning while starting your day, remember, you can and should be the change you want to see. While staying home, because we all should be; take time to reflect. Take time to write a gratitude list, listen to the birds, watch the flowers bloom, play music, sing, dance, enjoy life, breath, because what comes during and after this is completely up to us. Be the change.
As always, wash your hands frequently, practice social distancing when going out for essentials, and stay connected! #SpreadJoyNotGerms
You are on my mind,
Laurie A. Cumbo
Majority Leader, New York City Council
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*Please note: All underlined text contain hyperlinks*
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Food Pantry/Distribution Update
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St. Augustine American Catholic Church
298 Schenectady Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11213
Food Pantry: Fridays 1-3 PM.
Contact: 718-773-1338
*Requires government benefit ID to get food.*
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DOE Meal Hubs
The New York City Department of Education is committed to making three free meals available daily for any New Yorker. Any New Yorker who wants one can get three free meals a day at more than 400 Meal Hubs across the city.
Children & Families: 7:30am-11:30am
Adults: 11:30am-1:30pm
-No one will be turned away at any time
-All adults and children can pick up three meals at one time
-Vegetarian and halal options available at all sites
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In the News
- War against COVID-19 takes toll on NYC first responders. Read more about it here.
- IRS says electronic payments as part of Relief Act could be delivered as early as April 9th, while paper checks will lag far behind. Read more from the Washington Post.
- What NYC renters need to know during the coronavirus pandemic: Get all the information here.
- Based on new information from CDC about asymptomatic COVID patients, “White House expected to urge Americans to wear face coverings in public to slow spread of coronavirus” Learn all you need to know here.
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Arts & Culture from the Couch
Interested in Tibetan Chatinh?
Last week, Rubin Museum launched a video stream of their Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, bringing the sights and sounds of the installation into thousands of homes! Start exploring here.
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Daily Updates: Governor Cuomo
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“The apex is coming, we will either defeat the enemy or our healthcare system will become overwhelmed.”- Watch Gov. Cuomo holds COVID-19 briefing” 4/2 update now!
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Daily Updates:
Mayor De Blasio
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Out-of-state First Responders travel to NYC to provide relief- Watch “Message from the Mayor”
4/2 update from Mayor de Blasio NOW!
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Update from The Mayor
NYC Employee Retention Grant Program
This program is available to New York City businesses with one to four employees that can demonstrate at least a 25% decrease in revenue as a result of COVID-19. Eligible businesses will receive a grant covering up to 40% of their payroll for two months. Businesses can access up to $27,000.
Support Our Healthcare Staff!
Private donors raised more than $1.6 million in the last week alone to provide comfort items to front line staff (including meals, groceries, taxi rides, and hotel rooms).
Feeling generous? You can donate hereSeasonal Jobs at NYCHA
NYCHA is currently hiring temporary workers to assist with maintenance at our properties throughout the city. The job will last as needed throughout
the spring season at a rate of $15/hour. For more info and to apply, NYCHA residents can contact their local NYCHA Property Management Office. Click here for more details. #AskMyMayor
The Mayor has a new Daily Message available on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
and YouTube every morning.
If you have questions, comments or concerns, you can send them using the hashtag #AskMyMayor.
Help us tackle 911 volume.
Please only call 911 if you are in need of immediate assistance.
On supplies
We still don’t have the 15,000 ventilators — we’ve received 2,500
from the federal government and are dispatching all of them.
If you know any oral surgeon, plastic surgeon, or veterinarian please ask them to consider donating ventilators. Find more information here. We also need:
3.3 million N95 masks, 2.1 million surgical masks, and 100,000 isolation gowns. To date, the City has distributed:
8,282,200 face masks
2,077,980 N95 masks
105,880 gowns
1,956,940 surgical gloves
On capacity
In just 10 days, our hospitals have been able to expand their ICU capacity:
Elmhurst expanded from 29 to 111 ICU beds (30 more coming)
Lincoln grew from 34 to 114 ICU beds (34 more coming)
Bellevue Hospital grew from 66 ICU beds to 127 (52 more coming)
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#MajorityLeaderMom
As the mother of a young child, it is very important to me that the community is still serving our youth throughout this challenging time. In the last three weeks, BBBS of NYC has led the way in putting kids first through:
- Virtual Match Connections: Our Bigs and Littles continue to connect through virtual platforms. Our team generated a list of over 100 possible ways for our matches to stay engaged with each other. With increased uncertainty for our kids right now, these relationships offer essential stability and support. If you are interested in enrolling your little one, click here.
- Continued Recruitment, Intake and Training: Through digital platforms, we are continuing to meet the needs of youth in our City. We are adopting fully HIPPA compliant video interviewing for mentors and moved our information sessions/ trainings online. If you are interested in becoming a ‘Big’ apply here today.
In addition to their mentoring services, BBBS of NYC has a plethora of online resources for our youth. Check out their COVID-19 Updates page to access educational tools such as NYPL free online tutoring, or Mindful schools free, online learning classes. They also have resources for youth mental health and wellness such as Mindfulness classes, Boxing & more.
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#2020Census is here!
Fill out your form from your phone!
to get started!
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#PersonalGrowth
can happen anytime.
Often, it’s our most challenging obstacles which lead to our greatest achievements. This can only happen if we take time to reflect & plan for what we want the present and future to look like. Let’s come out of this stronger, smarter and with a greater sense of self.
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