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Dear Neighbors,

As has been said many times, this week's Presidential Election was arguably the most consequential of our generation. Like the rest of the country, New York City saw record voter turnout. More than 1 million New Yorkers requested absentee ballots and over 1.1 million voted early.

The New York City Voter Assistance Advisory Committee (VAAC) will hold a post-election virtual hearing on December 9, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. The VAAC is asking voters and poll workers to share their experiences with:
  • Voting in person during Early Voting and on Election Day;
  • Voting by mail and requesting absentee ballots; 
  • Recommendations to improve the voting experience in New York City.
All testimony will be shared with elected officials and the Board of Elections. While there is limited time to testify during the hearing, all New Yorkers may submit written testimony for the public record. Please RSVP here for the hearing.

(The VAAC's nine members advise the NYC Campaign Finance Board and its nonpartisan voter engagement initiative, NYC Votes. The VAAC recommends legislative and administrative changes to improve elections in New York City.)

 Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive
The number of food insecure New Yorkers continues to increase due to the pandemic and ensuing economic crisis. If you are able, I hope you will consider making a donation to Muslim Volunteers for New York's Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, which runs from November 6th to 15th. Donate and learn more here.



Our office is proud to support MV4NY's efforts. This year's drive will benefit the West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH), the New York Common Pantry, and City Meals on Wheels. Each of these organizations serves a unique need for NYC’s food insecure communities. Let's be there for our neighbors during this hard time. Thank you for your support!
Support for Tenants

Thank you to everyone who attended this week's Housing Clinic, which focused on rental assistance for tenants. We especially thank TakeRoot Justice attorney Greg Baltz who made a detailed presentation explaining current protections for New York City tenants who are facing eviction. Watch the clinic here.

My office is hearing from more and more Upper West Siders who are facing eviction proceedings because they have fallen behind on their rent. Landlords have the right to request rent of course, but tenants who have suffered financial hardship due to the pandemic have certain legal protections.

Tenants facing eviction can contact these organizations for free housing-related legal advice. (Phone calls only.)
  • Take Root Justice Housing Hotline at (646) 459-3022
  • Goddard Law Project at (212) 799-9638, x0
  • Housing Conservation Coordinators at (212) 541-5996, Monday evenings, 7-9pm
  • PALANTE Harlem, Inc. at (212) 491-2541 — English & Spanish spoken
  • Legal Services NYC at (917) 661-4509 — serves residents city-wide in several languages
  • Housing Court Answers hotline at (212) 962-4795, Monday thru Friday, 9am-5pm. Language interpreters available. Information on Housing Court / housing law, plus rent arrears assistance and homelessness prevention guidance. NYCHA tenants also assisted.
You can find additional resources on our website, by looking under "Housing." 

The stress of a pending eviction can sometimes make it almost impossible to take the necessary steps to protect your home. If you feel that you need extra support, you should share this information with the legal services provider you contact.

There are several social service organizations in our community who can provide support as you address your housing situation. For instance, seniors should also check the "Other Resources for Seniors" section of our COVID-19 resource page for organizations they can contact.
Free Flu Shots for Upper West Siders

Please spread the word that free flu shots will be available outside of the Hamilton Senior Center this coming Monday (11/9), from 10am to 3pm. Location: 141 W. 73rd Street.

Flu shots are by appointment only. Sign up for your slot here! Don't hesitate to call my office at (212) 873-0282, x206 if you are having any difficulty signing up.
Important Resources & Deadlines
 
Mental Health Support
As we all know, this is a profoundly stressful time. If your symptoms of stress become overwhelming, please reach out for support and help. One option is NYC Well, the City's confidential helpline for mental health and substance misuse services. Trained counselors can provide you with support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 200 languages. Click here; call: 1-888-NYC-Well (1-888-692-9355); or text: “Well” to 65173.

Mental Health First Aid (part of Thrive NYC) offers a free 60 minute virtual presentation, COVID-19 Community Conversations: Mental Health, Equity and Resilience, on potential mental health impacts, relevant coping skills and available resources. This session will cover topics such as grief, trauma, coping and resilience in addition to mental health tips. Learn more here.
 
Other helpful resources from the NYC Dept of Health include: 
New Resources for Seniors
State Senator Liz Krueger's recent Virtual Senior Resource Fair provided a wide range of helpful information, with a special focus on job hunting, exercise and meditation, and arts and culture. You can watch videos sharing information from the Resource Fair here.

For information about the organizations that participated, and access to Sen. Krueger's online resources pertaining to older adults, arts and culture, and employment opportunities, click here.

Deadline Extended: 2020 Federal Stimulus Payments
Non-tax filers now have until November 21st to request their Federal Stimulus/Economic Impact payment. The IRS has extended the deadline.

This deadline is only for persons who did not file a 2019 federal tax return, and who have not registered or received their Federal Stimulus/Economic Impact payment. Click here to learn more and request your payment.

Community News


Public Art at Lincoln Center: Addressing the Moment
Like many of you, I was fortunate to view Lincoln Center's recent presentation of The Baptism (of the Sharecropper’s Son and the Boy from Boonville), a moving visual poem by poet and artist Carl Hancock Rux. Learn more here.



Created together with visual artist Carrie Mae Weems, The Baptism reflects on the recent passing of John Lewis and C.T. Vivian and their legacies, with a special focus on the importance of engaging in the democratic process. Lincoln Center projected the 11-minute film on exterior building walls in several locations. 
 
Also of interest, Lincoln Center has joined cultural organizations around the country in presenting Carrie Mae Weems’ large-scale, outdoor installation of Resist COVID/Take 6!, a public art campaign about measures to prevent the spread of COVID within Black, Latinx, and Native American communities. 

Get the Latest Environmental News for Our Community
If you haven't already, I encourage you to sign-up for the bi-monthly UWSR Eco Letter produced by Upper West Side Recycling. The Eco Letter aims to empower UWSers by providing substantive information about relevant environmental topics and upcoming events, especially pertaining to:
  • Recycling / Re-Use
  • Waste Reduction
  • Energy Conservation
  • Renewable Energy
  • Pollution Abatement
  • Urban Greening
  • Growing Food in NYC
Read the November/December Eco Letter here. Subscribe by clicking here.

Dispose of Your Masks Properly!
Please don't forget to cut the straps on your disposable face masks before throwing them away. New York City's trash output is so large that some of our waste eventually finds its way onto our beaches and waterways. The straps pose yet another threat to marine life.


Photo courtesy of GreenMatters
Upcoming Events

Community Clean-Up: Broadway Malls
Save the date! The Broadway Mall Association is hosting a community cleanup of the malls between 73rd and 90th Streets on Saturday, November 14th, from 10am-12pm. More details to come!

Shred Event!
Council Speaker Corey Johnson's district office is offering a free paper shred event on Saturday, November 14, from 10am-2pm. Location: West 43rd Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues). 

Safely dispose of documents that may contain personal/sensitive information, and reduce your waste output! Up to three boxes per person accepted. 
We're Here to Help

My office assists people with housing issues, seniors, the disabled, the recently un (or under) employed, the food insecure, and all those suffering the many consequences of this pandemic, to help in any way we can. We also provide on-going advocacy with our public schools and other public services.

Please call (212) 873-0282, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible; email helen@helenrosenthal.com; or check our website, HelenRosenthal.com. We update it on a regular basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders need to get through this crisis. 

Warmly,



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