Mayors Public Engegement Unit

What's NEW at PEU!

June 2023

GetCoveredNYC at St. Mary's Park in the Bronx for a Health Fair sharing resources about health care.

About the Public Engagement Unit (PEU)

The NYC Public Engagement Unit (PEU) uses community organizing principles to re-envision how the city provides services to its most vulnerable communities. Rather than expecting constituents to navigate a complex city bureaucracy to get the help they need, PEU adopts grassroots tactics to meet residents where they are — at their doors and on their phones, in their social media feeds, and in their communities. PEU combines this proactive outreach with comprehensive case management, and in doing so, builds long-term relationships between New Yorkers and their government.

Upcoming Events

GetCoveredNYC Weekly Event Round-Up

GetCoveredNYC connects New Yorkers to health coverage and health information. We table at libraries, community centers, and HRA offices in every borough. Check out this week’s events on our Instagram here.

PEU spreading the word about NYC Government Hiring Halls

New York City is hiring! PEU is working in partnership with the Department of Citywide Administrative Services to spread the word about City Government Hiring Halls, where agencies are recruiting for open positions and conducting on the spot interviews. Attend a Hiring Hall near you to discover opportunities and learn more about civil service. Interested candidates are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resume and be prepared to showcase their qualifications and enthusiasm. At some events, you might arrive with a resume and leave with a job! PEU representatives will also be available on site to conduct benefits screenings. Learn more about upcoming Hiring Halls, and apply for jobs: nyc.gov/jobs

Work with PEU Comms!

The Mayor's Public Engagement Unit is looking for TWO (2) AmeriCorps members to join our communications team. If you're interested in gaining knowledge and experience in communications, we invite you to become a part of our team!

We currently have openings for the following positions (refer to the descriptions below or click the hyperlinks for detailed job information):

Digital Communications Associate/Corps Member

Press Communications Corps Member

Communication Corps Members at the Public Engagement Unit will work Monday – Friday from 10am – 6pm. Our office is located at 253 Broadway in downtown Manhattan.

NYC Listening Session on the Internet and Digital Equity

The Empire State Development’s ConnectALL Office, NYC’s Office of Technology & Innovation, and Silicon Harlem invite you to participate in the NYC Listening Session on the Internet and Digital Equity. The Listening Session will begin at 3:00pm on the afternoon of June 14th and will take place at the Harlem School of the Arts. We’ll hear from representatives of New York City’s digital equity ecosystem about the state of play in the city and from community members about their needs and ideas to further digital equity. Both will inform New York State’s Digital Equity Plan. We’ll be joined by staff from the National Technology and Information Administration (NTIA) at the US Department of Commerce. Hope to see you on June 14th. Register here!

Team Wins

Health Insurance and Mental Health

GetCoveredNYC Specialists recognize the importance of mental health and the significance of seeking appropriate support. Having health insurance makes mental health services more affordable and our team is here to help you find a plan that fits your needs. We also teamed up with our agency partners to make sure you know how to use your health insurance to access mental health services. Visit on.nyc.gov/MentalHealthAwareness for more information.

Health Fair with Univision

PEU was at the Contigo y Tu Salud Fair on Saturday, June 10th.The event provided an excellent platform for the community to gain a deeper understanding of GetCoveredNYC and the assistance offered regarding health insurance. Staff tabled, providing different resources offered at PEU. Dr. Jiménez from NYC Care presented on GetCoveredNYC. During the presentation, Dr. Jiménez provided valuable insights and information about GetCoveredNYC, emphasizing the benefits and resources it offers to individuals seeking health insurance coverage.We look forward to continuing our partnership with NYC Care as we work together to address the healthcare needs of our community and create a healthier future for all.

GetCoveredNYC provides free assistance for New Yorkers seeking to enroll in health care, regardless of immigration status or income. Our Specialists speak over a dozen languages and conduct outreach to proactively identify uninsured New Yorkers and help them get access to health care and other health-related benefits. Visit nyc.gov/GetCoveredNYC for more information.

PEU Promoting Rat Academy

PEU’s Special Projects team was thrilled to have Kathleen Corradi, the Citywide Director of Rodent Mitigation (NYC Rat Czar), join PEU for a special flyering Day of Action aimed at promoting the Rat Academy program. Learn more about preventing rats in NYC at nyc.gov/rats.

PEU’s Special Projects team leverages interagency resources, City staff volunteers, and technology in agile and creative ways to design and implement new outreach strategies for the City’s most pressing initiatives.

Tenant Support Unit Reaching New Yorkers

PEU’s Outreach and Helpline team has been tabling at different events across the city including CM Pierina Sanchez, Project Hospitality in Staten Island, Queens Hiring Hall, and more.

The Tenant Support Unit (TSU) provides free information on tenants’ rights, assistance navigating housing-related issues, and connection to a range of resources, including the Tenant Resource Portal, anti-eviction legal assistance, and rent freeze and homeowner tax exemption programs. https://nyc.gov/TSU for more information.

The Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit and NYC Aging

The NYC Cabinet for Older New Yorkers is committed to making New York City an age-inclusive community that promotes and supports the health of its older adults. Through a collaboration with Cabinet member agencies NYC Health + Hospitals, NYC Health, and Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, the Health Subcommittee created a printable, double-sided Pocket Guide of NYC Aging Services that was used to train front-line professionals who engage with older adults. To help other professionals better serve older residents, please find a downloadable brochure on Cabinet’s website by clicking here.

SPECIALIST SPOTLIGHT

HSU Specialist, Monica Lang, worked with a DHS shelter client with a voucher looking to move into a unit and was connected to HSU by their case worker. Through one of her landlord/broker connections,Monica was able to identify a vacant unit and was there every step of the way to help the client move into the apartment in less than a month.

The Home Support Unit (HSU) conducts outreach to rental owners and brokers in order to identify vacant homes for voucher holders living in shelters. HSU supports owners and brokers throughout the lease-up process, improving their experience with rental subsidies so that they continue to provide units to voucher recipients in the future. Visit nyc.gov/HSU for more information.

TWEET OF THE MONTH

IN THE NEWS

Bronx Currents: Health Care Fair Press Conference, April 2023

RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The People’s Money: Voting has started for The People’s Money, NYC’s first-ever citywide participatory budgeting (PB) process! The deadline to vote is June 25th and all New Yorkers above the age of 10 can participate. Decide how to spend $5 million of NYC’s budget. Vote now: on.nyc.gov/pb

Medicare Savings Programs: Medicare Savings Programs help pay for Medicare costs. If you make $2,260 or less, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program! Learn more about affording your health insurance here.

Hear from Eric: New Yorkers can sign up online to receive digital communications directly from Mayor Adams with exclusive information about new initiatives and policies, local events, and more.

Week in Review: Watch the last Week in Review video here.

Mental Health Support: Mental health counselors are available 24 hours a day to provide free support in many languages. You can contact them directly by calling 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355), Text WELL to 65173 or Chat nyc.gov/nycwell

NYC Fair Fares: Eligible New York City residents can get a 50% discount on eligible transportation. Help us to spread the word by sharing this HRA toolkit and check your eligibility at nyc.gov/fairfares or by calling 311.

Discounted Internet: The Affordable Connectivity Program is available to help you pay for broadband internet service! Qualifying New Yorkers (including all public school families) can receive up to $30 per month off their internet bill. You can learn more about and sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program here: GetInternet.gov.

Access Benefits: There are more than 30 programs you or your family may be eligible for regardless of immigration status and even if you’re already receiving benefits or have a job. Use ACCESS NYC to find help in NYC with food, money, housing, work and more.

Vaccinations: Walk-ins available for first and second doses of the monkeypox (MPV) vaccine, COVID vaccines and flu shots:

No appointment needed

Find a walk-in location: nyc.gov/vaccinefinder

Follow us on social media and learn about our programs and outreach on our website: nyc.gov/MayorsPEU

Connect with PEU:

Twitter: @MayorsPEU

Instagram: @mayorspeu

Facebook: @NYC Mayor's Public Engagement Unit

LinkedIn: /mayorspeu

Website: nyc.gov/MayorsPEU

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