Preview - NYC Community Affairs Unit Update 10.24.22

Dear New Yorker,

Happy Diwali to the Hindi, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities! Last week, Mayor Adams, DOE Chancellor Banks, and Assembly Member Rajkumar announced steps to make Diwali a New York City public school holiday. We are going to encourage our children to learn about the Festival of Lights and how to turn a light on within themselves.

City Hall and a number of other municipal buildings were lit purple in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence occurs everywhere, among people of all races, cultures, religions, and income levels. It can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation. We encourage New Yorkers who need help to call the 24-hour Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE (4673) or to visit the NYC Hope website.

For the latest updates, please follow CAU on Twitter and Facebook, and be sure to check out the Mayor’s ‘Week In Review’ video below!

All the best,

Fred Kreizman

Commissioner, Community Affairs Unit

Key Updates:

NYPD Launches “Ask the PC”

Today, New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell is launching “Ask the PC,” a landmark initiative for meaningful dialogue on matters of policing and public safety. Each week, beginning immediately, readers will submit questions for the commissioner on the NYPD’s Instagram page, @NYPD. The first woman to lead the nation’s largest police department looks forward to producing candid video responses to questions from community members.

Over the arc of time, the collective give-and-take will unveil more about the 45th New York City Police Commissioner’s views on an array of important topical matters. It will also create a regular channel for thoughtful communications designed to deepen the understanding between the public and the police at a pivotal moment for New York City.

Pay It Off !

Pay It Off. From October 17th to 31st, noncustodial parents can pay off their NYC DSS child support arrears twice as fast! OCSS will double the debt reduction when a payment of at least $500 is made toward their DSS arrears during October (up to the amount they owe). For those with a current support order, the court ordered child support amount must be paid first. Then the Pay It Off payment can reduce the debt by double. In addition, parents may be eligible for additional reductions up to $15,000 over three years. Pay off your principle in full and all of the interest you owe to the DSS will also be eliminated.

The Pay It Off program has been used by over 3,000 noncustodial parents to reduce $16 million of debt owed to the NYC Department of Social Services (DSS). The average debt reduction per case is $5,558. Don’t miss this opportunity to lower or eliminate your DSS child support debt!

Learn more at http://nyc.gov/payitoff. Watch a short video at https://youtu.be/yx3MmM00WQ4.

Get ready to apply to high school!

The high school application is now open and will close December 1st, Learn about updates to admissions this year: http://schools.nyc.gov/High

Register for the SHSAT. Registration for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is also OPEN. Interested in one or more of the testing Specialized High Schools? If so, register for the SHSAT; taking this test is how you apply to these eight schools. Register by November 4. Students will take the test in November or December, depending on their grade level and where they currently attend school––learn more at schools.nyc.gov/SHS.

The People's Money: Boroughwide Idea Generation Sessions!

The Civic Engagement Commission is delighted to invite you to join us for citywide participatory budgeting, The People's Money: Boroughwide Idea Generation Sessions! Five events, one in each borough, will invite New Yorkers to represent their neighborhood in NYC's first-ever citywide participatory budgeting process by submitting ideas to address community needs.
We’re inviting New Yorkers 11 and up to join us for the Manhattan Boroughwide Idea Generation Session on Friday, October 28th at 3pm at the NYPL Library for the Performing Arts, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza.

Please also help spread the word to ensure we reach as many of your neighbors as possible! Please RSVP here: on.nyc.gov/PBinYourBorough

Seats are limited due to venue capacity restrictions.

Encourage your community members to secure their spot. Live interpretation will be available in American Sign Language, Spanish and Chinese.

After the idea generation session portion of the event, The People’s Bus will be hosting cultural, art, and civic engagement activations, while sharing Get Out the Vote resources supported by local food and live music.

On behalf of the Civic Engagement Commission, we are grateful for your partnership and support of this historic program. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions to participate@civicengagement.nyc.gov

We Need You! Now Hiring Emergency Snow Laborers 2022-2023 Season

The New York City Department of Sanitation has announced that registration is now open for those interested in working as Emergency Snow Laborers for the 2022-2023 winter season. Emergency Snow Laborers are per-diem workers who remove snow and ice from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants and step streets after heavy snowfalls. Snow Laborers earn $17 per hour to start, and $25.50 per hour after 40 hours are worked in a week.

Snow laborers must be at least 18 years of age, be eligible to work in the United States, and capable of performing heavy physical labor. Additionally, candidates must be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. All applicants must bring the following items at the time of registration:

Two small photos (1 ½ square)
Original and copy of two forms of identification
Social Security card
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination

Those interested in becoming a Snow Laborer must register for an application appointment at nyc.gov/snow. Registration appointments take place at the Department’s 59 garages. Applicants should not attend the appointment if they have any COVID-19 symptoms.

In case you missed it:

.@mayorsCAU #Brooklyn Borough Director attended Community School District 17's legislative breakfast to meet with community partners and to speak about how we can all work together to support the education of New York City students. pic.twitter.com/D7Gpy1YdSB

— Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) October 22, 2022

As National Veterinary Technician Week comes to an end, we send our appreciation for vet techs who are committed to protecting animals and public health.
We visited @LaGuardiaCC to learn about NYC’s only fully accredited vet tech program! https://t.co/QSOdA0dhDg#VetTechWeek pic.twitter.com/4xJr9RNXRN

— Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) October 22, 2022

.@mayorsCAU Deputy Commissioner had the pleasure to meet with the designer of @MoshoodCreation and present him with a proclamation for his dedicated service and contribution to the City. Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/QLIIHOm65B

— Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) October 21, 2022

Highlights From the City Hall Press Office:

New Rules Proposed for Putting Out Trash for Collection: Mayor Adams and DSNY Commissioner Tisch announced the opening of the public comment period for new proposed rules, reducing the number of hours trash and recycling will sit on New York City sidewalks by adjusting the time of day trash may be placed on the curb. These new rules would decrease the amount of time trash is left on the curb, diminishing the eyesore of black bags, reducing trash for rats, and improving cleanliness – and ultimately boosting the city's recovery. Public comments can be submitted by email, mail, or via the city's website.

COVID-19 Tests Distributed to Those Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision: Mayor Adams announced that the city will distribute 10,000 COVID-19 at-home test kits that are more accessible to New Yorkers that are blind or have low vision. The at-home test kits — manufactured by Ellume and sent to New York City by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — utilize easier-to-use test components for those who are blind or have low vision and communicate with a user’s smartphone to give an electronic text readout of their result. The more accessible test kits will be distributed in the coming weeks and will be available through MOPD and a host of additional partner organizations.

Employment Initiative to Provide Green Jobs to NYers Most Impacted by Gun Violence: Mayor Adams announced a significant expansion of the city’s Precision Employment Initiative, which connects New Yorkers at risk of gun violence with career readiness and job placement programs. The program, run in partnership BlocPower and a number of community-based organizations, will increase its capacity to serve up to 3,000 New Yorkers thanks to the administration’s $54 million investment in the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Adopted Budget, helping to reduce unemployment, promote sustainability, and bolster long-term public safety in underserved areas throughout the city.

Additional Resources:

Food Help NYC: Free food locations including food pantries & soup kitchens.

NYC Well: Free, confidential mental health support in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365. Call 888-NYC-WELL or text “WELL” to 65173.

Mental Health For All: A comprehensive hub with helplines and services that offer a range of free, direct support to meet the needs of all New Yorkers.

Buildings After Hours: Free in-person information session with DOB staff every Tuesday from 4 PM to 7 PM at your local borough office.

Notify NYC: Enroll for free in New York City’s dedicated emergency public communications program.

311: Non-emergency municipal services available online, by texting 311-692, or by calling 3-1-1 from within the City or 212-NEW-YORK outside the five boroughs. TTY service is also available by dialing 212-504-4115.

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Mayor's Office--Community Affairs
253 Broadway 9th Fl
New York, NY 10007
United States

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