Email from New York City Council- District 18 Join us at Fall Events, Take Advantage of Services Available to You, and Celebrate Bronx legacies.     Dear Neighbor, As we turn the page into a new season, I want to take a moment to wish our students and families a strong start to the school year. Seeing our young people step into classrooms full of energy and potential reminds me why this work matters — every decision we make should help create a safer, stronger, and more supportive Bronx for them to grow in. In this edition, I’m sharing some of the ways we’re doing just that: upcoming events and resources to support families, street co-naming ceremonies that honor community legacies, and opportunities to stay involved in shaping the future of our borough. I hope you’ll take a moment to read through, join us at an event, and continue building this community with me. In Community, Hon. Amanda Farías Majority Leader Council Member, District 18   🌟 FEATURED 🌟   Street Co-Naming: Preston High School Way Preston High School has stood as a pillar in the Bronx for generations, shaping young women into leaders through education, faith, and service. TODAY on the corner of Seward Ave & Castle Hill Ave we proudly co-named that street “Preston High School Way”, ensuring that the school’s legacy lives on for decades to come. As a proud Preston alumna, this milestone is personal. Preston was where I found my voice, built lasting relationships, and learned that leadership begins with service. By elevating Preston’s name in our community, we are honoring the generations of young women who walked its halls, as well as the future generations who will continue to be empowered by its example. Photos from the event are available on Flickr 📍 ON THE GROUND Legionnaires' Update Harlem has faced a serious outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease, with more than 100 people sickened and lives lost. Past outbreaks have hit the Bronx, Morningside Heights, and even Clason Point Gardens in our own district. I am calling on my colleagues to support the following bills, which can help safeguard New Yorkers moving forward. Read More 🏛️ YOUR CITY, YOUR VOICE Mayor Adams, it’s time to protect immigrant street vendors No one should be sent to jail or put at risk of immigration consequences for serving tamales, halal food or fresh fruit to New Yorkers. Across New York City, from Roosevelt Avenue in Queens to Fordham Road in the Bronx, one thing is clear: street vending is a lifeline for working-class families. It is also one of the most visible expressions of immigrant entrepreneurship in our city. Yet, for decades, our laws have treated these vendors – overwhelmingly immigrants, women and people of color – not as small business owners, but as criminals. That was supposed to end. The City Council passed Intro 47, a long-overdue step to bring equity, order and dignity to street vending. The bill passed with a veto-proof majority, yet the night before the legislation was set to become law, Mayor Eric Adams vetoed it. Read More 🤝 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Honoring Carmen Alicia Rivera Join the Rivera family and Council Member Amanda Farías to honor the life of Carmen Alicia Rivera, a beloved wife, mother, and friend who lost her life on September 11, 2001. This co-naming is a tribute to her memory and the love she shared with our community. Bruckner Blvd & Rosedale Ave on Saturday, Sept 13 at 11:00 AM Honoring Jessica Guzman’s Legacy The corner of Seward and Castle Hill Avenues will takes on a new name — Jessica “Jessie” Guzman Way. Jessica was just 10 years old when her life was taken in 1990, but her story has never left the hearts of those who knew her. For more than three decades, her family has kept her memory alive through community gatherings, school connections, and the stories passed between neighbors. This co-naming is both a tribute to her life and a public commitment to the safety and love we want for every Bronx child.   HeARTwork Against Hate: A Bronx Student's Vision for a Hate-free NYC. Our future is bright when our youth use their creativity to lead with love and respect. That is exactly what Weijing Lin, a 10th grader at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, did in this year’s HeARTwork Against Hate contest. Weijing’s piece, City of Love (2025), earned an Honorable Mention for its powerful message of unity and its celebration of the diversity that makes New York City strong. HeARTwork Against Hate is a citywide initiative led by the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes. Each year, students from across the five boroughs submit original artwork that speaks out against bias, discrimination, and hate. The contest lifts up the voices of young New Yorkers and gives them a platform to share positive values of inclusion, respect, and community. Thank you to Weijing Lin for participating and for upholding the values that keep our Bronx and our city strong. Young leaders like Weijing show us that the future of New York is in good hands. Read More 🔎 PUBLIC PROGRAMS & BENEFITS Community Shredding Event Clear out the clutter and protect your identity at our FREE shredding event, hosted in partnership with the NYC Department of Sanitation. Bring your old bills, files, and personal documents and watch them be shredded securely and sustainably. RSVP NOW → Free Museum Memberships for SNAP Recipients SNAP recipients in New York can now enjoy free membership to the American Museum of Natural History — including FREE admission for up to four guests. This new benefit opens the door to one of NYC’s most iconic cultural institutions. Get membership details → 📅 COMING UP Sept. 5: Back to School Movie Night 7:00 pm at Parque De Los Ninos We are watching How to Train Your Dragon! Bring a chair or blanket. Popcorn will be provided! Sept. 25: Skate Party 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Caserta Playground Skates, music, safety items, lessons, and water provided! Oct. 10: Halloween Movie Night 6:30 pm | The Pearly Gates Bring a chair or blanket. Popcorn will be provided! Oct. 18: Annual Fall Festival 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Soundview Park Pumpkin patch, bouncy houses, face paint, and more! If you are interested in attending any of the above events, click the button below: RSVP For questions on accessibility please call NYC Parks at 212-360-1430 🔗 STAY CONNECTED My office is here to help you navigate city services and access resources. You can reach out for support with: • Immigration Services – Weekly support through Citizenship Now! • Veterans Benefits – Guidance and assistance at monthly clinics. • Public Benefits & Advocacy – SNAP, healthcare, and other essential services. • Family Law Services – Monthly legal clinic for parents and families. • Constituent Services – Help with city agencies, forms, and applications. • Housing and Tenant Issues – NYCHA, evictions, and affordable housing programs. Learn More For questions please call my office at 718-792-1140 New York City Council- District 18 | 778 Castle Hill Avenue | Bronx, NY 10473 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice