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** Dear Neighbors,
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I hope you and your families are well and staying home, if possible.

Today the City Council held its first full (and virtual) session since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the top of our agenda over the next few weeks is legislation to help address the economic devastation now faced by individual New Yorkers and the city as whole.

Of note today, the Council voted to maintain ownership affordability at Turin House. This work began years ago, prior to my election. There were owners who wanted to allow their apartments to return to the free market, but thanks to the tireless efforts of others, Turin House will remain an affordable home ownership option for Upper West Siders.

As you know, I'm a member of the Council's Budget Negotiating Team, and our job faces challenges like never before. I am very focused on making sure that our non-profit human services providers (who serve seniors, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations) successfully receive payment from the City so they can continue their vital work.

As Chair of the Committee on Women & Gender Equity, I am paying close attention to and advocating for more effective domestic violence resources during this crisis. Together with the Committee on Public Safety, we will be holding a joint oversite hearing on the impact of COVID-19 on domestic violence in New York City. The hearing is scheduled for Friday, May 1st at 1pm, and you will be able to watch on-line.

Care for pregnant women has been another pressing issue and I am pleased to report that Governor Cuomo and the NYS Council on Women & Girls have launched a COVID-19 Maternity Task Force. They are rapidly developing a plan to certify additional NYS birth centers as a safe alternative to already stressed hospitals. The Task Force is also examining the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy generally. Learn more here ([link removed]) .

Finally, today is Earth Day. The need for decisive action could never be more clear and is one of my legislative priorities. Scientists are sounding the alarm ([link removed]) about the connection between pandemics like COVID-19 and the ongoing destruction of natural habitat. At the same time, the climate crisis is only intensifying ([link removed]) , placing even more stress on our communities. Click here to participate in Earth Day activities ([link removed]) with people around the world.

Please see below for important updates this week:

As always, just a reminder to check our website ([link removed]) regularly. We update it on a daily basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders need to get through this crisis.

EMERGENCY RESOURCES
COVID-19 Hotel Program
The City of New York's COVID-19 Hotel Program provides free hotel stays to eligible New Yorkers who cannot isolate where they live. This will help stop the spread of COVID-19. Healthcare Workers & Volunteers and Community Healthcare Providers are eligible. Click here ([link removed]) to make a reservation.
Homelessness Prevention
If you are about to become homeless, Homebase can help you stay out of a shelter. Homebase offers assistance with obtaining public benefits and emergency rental grants, relocation, and more. Click here to learn more ([link removed]) or call 311 for help.

Funeral & Burial Guidance
Click here ([link removed]) to read funeral and burial guidance from the City of New York.
DOE STUDENTS & FAMILIES
The NYC Dept of Education wants your feedback. Please take the Remote Learning Survey ([link removed]) to share your experiences learning at home.

All students in grades 6–12, and parents/guardians of students in grades 3-K through 12, are invited to participate. Survey feedback will help schools support students and families learning at home. Deadline: Friday, May 1st. If you need help completing the survey, please call 311.

SENIORS
Meal Deliveries: Are You Having Problems?
Seniors who signed up through a senior center, or with the City's Dept for the Aging (DFTA), should be receiving a 5-meal package once per week, delivered directly to their homes.

If you are having problems receiving your meal delivery, please call my office and leave a message at (212) 873-0282, x206.

Technology Assistance
Senior Planet/OATS helps seniors access technology through online courses, programs & activities. See their weekly event guide here ([link removed]) and check out their stuck-at-home guide here ([link removed]) . Seniors can also learn how to connect with friends and loved ones through Zoom videoconferencing. Read their step-by-step Zoom guide in English ([link removed]) or in Spanish ([link removed]) .

If you have a technology question, call Senior Planet’s New York City Hotline at (917) 936-4410; Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm EDT.

NYS UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which was included in the Federal CARES Act, provides unemployment benefits for persons who are ineligible for traditional unemployment insurance. This includes self-employed workers, independent contractors, and "gig workers" (New Yorkers who work for an app-based company). Click here to see all workers covered by PUA ([link removed]) .

Prior to this Monday (4/20), New Yorkers were required to apply for regular Unemployment Insurance and be rejected before applying for PUA. The NYS Dept of Labor has launched a new streamlined application so that New Yorkers can simply fill out one form to get the correct benefits. Learn more here ([link removed]) .

TO THOSE WHO ARE MID-APPLICATION: We know that many of you are still waiting for your call back from NYS DOL in order to complete your application. DOL is very aware of these delays and continues to increase their capacity. Please note that your benefits will be retroactive to the day you became unemployed.

RESOURCES FOR IMMIGRANTS
Together with the Open Society Foundation, the City of New York has established a $20 million fund to provide direct, one-time emergency relief for an estimated 20,000 immigrant workers and their families, who have largely been excluded from federal COVID-19 relief programs. Learn more here ([link removed]) .

The NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City are creating a citywide network of community based organizations to distribute these relief payments to immigrant families – including undocumented workers – who play a vital role in the City’s workforce and economy.

The City has also created a COVID-19 resource guide ([link removed]) specifically for immigrant communities. Available in 10 languages, the guide includes information on healthcare options, emergency food assistance, protection against discrimination and harassment, and more.

FINANCIAL COUNSELING & AN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
New York City Financial Empowerment Center counselors are available to support those experiencing financial challenges. Book an appointment at [link removed].

NYC Health + Hospitals needs workers to help transport patients, along with clerical and cleaning staff. You can apply today at [link removed].

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Construction Ban
Non-essential construction is banned in NYC. Learn more about the construction ban here ([link removed]) . See this map ([link removed]) of essential and emergency construction sites which are still permitted.

Parks
To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, all public gatherings in New York City parks are cancelled through June 30th. NYC Parks is not accepting or reviewing applications for any Special Events or Field and Court Permits until further notice.
* For all updates on park service changes and closures, please visit the NYC Parks website ([link removed]) .
* To make it easier for New Yorkers to enjoy their parks and benefit from recreational opportunities, even if they’re staying indoors, NYC Parks has launched Parks@Home ([link removed]) , with a wide variety of online park tours, fitness classes and other activities.
* On-line gardening workshops, webinars and other virtual events are being offered by NYC Parks' GreenThumb program ([link removed]) .

Curbside Composting
Starting May 4th, the Dept of Sanitation is temporarily suspending curbside composting because budget resources are being diverted to COVID-19 relief efforts. Please put your food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste in the garbage for the duration of the suspension.

Curbside composting is expected to resume in July 2021. Residents should keep their bins -- please do NOT leave your bins on the curb. During the suspension, you can compost at home ([link removed]) . Click on "NYC Compost Project" & then, "Food Scraps + Yard Waste" to learn how.

2020 CENSUS: NYC NEEDS YOU
It is absolutely essential --for fair representation in government, equitable public funding, and much more-- that all New Yorkers participate in the 2020 Census. Every household has the option of responding online, by phone, or by mail. Learn more here. ([link removed])

You can help increase NYC's participation in the Census. Join "Text out the Count" this Thursday. Sign-up here! ([link removed])

WSFSSH CALL FOR SUPPORT
The West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH) is working tirelessly to support over 2,100 primarily low-income senior households during the COVID-19 crisis, including more than 900 households in District 6. They are seeking volunteers and/or donors to help prepare, assemble, and deliver meals and care packages to residents. If you’d like to volunteer and/or donate, please click here ([link removed]) .

As always, please stay home to every extent possible for the safety of everyone. You can review NYC Dept of Health guidelines here ([link removed]) .


Please stay well and share some kindness with yourself and the people around you.

Warmly,
P.S. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, or have them subscribe to my e-blasts here ([link removed]) . Also, follow my social media accounts on Twitter ([link removed]) , Facebook ([link removed]) , and/or Instagram ([link removed]) .

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