Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

SENATOR RIVERA HOSTS FIRST BACK-TO-SCHOOL POP UP EVENT AT COUNCIL MEMBER PIERINA SANCHEZ'S OFFICE!

Senator Rivera kicked off his 11th Annual Back-To School Celebration with a Pop-Up Event at Council Member Pierina Sanchez's office. Senator Rivera would like to thank Carrie Johnson from the Bean Morris Community Garden for partnering to provide backpacks to the community as well as Council Member Sanchez for allowing him and his team to use her office space due to the inclement weather.

Join us at our next Pop-Up backpack event at Washington Park on Tuesday, August 13 at 3:00 PM. Backpacks will be distributed to those with a child on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.

SENATOR RIVERA CELEBRATES NATIONAL NIGHT OUT THROUGHOUT HIS DISTRICT

Senator Rivera was thrilled to celebrate National Night Out throughout his district! National Night out is an annual event on the first Tuesday in August where neighbors, community partners, and police officers come together to build relationships with the community to improve public safety.

Senator Rivera began his day at the 46th Precinct, where he stood with the former commanding officer and Chief of Transportation, Philip Rivera, colleagues, and neighbors for a day of fun and building community.

Senator Rivera then attended the 52nd Precinct's event at Poe Park. The rain couldn't dampen the event put together by community leaders like 52nd Precinct Council President Brenda Caldwell and organizations like the BJT Merchant Association. While the rain cut the rest of National Night Out short, Senator Rivera wants to thank everyone from the 48th, 49th and 50th precincts for putting together bridge-building events across the Bronx.

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS TRACEY TOWERS 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!

Last week, Senator Rivera celebrated and co-sponsored Tracey Towers' 50th Anniversary celebration with the residents. Senator Rivera was excited to sing some of his favorite songs with the great Morrisania Band Project. Thank you to the Tracey Towers Tenant Association and their president Jean Hill for putting together such a great event.

In celebration of National Health Center Week, Senator Rivera joined Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson for Union Community Health Centers (UCHC) patient appreciation day. Senator Rivera joined UCHC for their theme of "Powering Communities Through Caring Connections", where the local health center provided games, screening and resources. Senator Rivera is honored to support local Health Centers like UCHC that put the community first.

Senator Rivera invites you to his Annual Back to School Fair will be at St. James Park on Thursday, August 15th at 2PM. Start the new school year off the right way with free backpacks and valuable resources for the entire family. Backpacks are distributed to children who are present on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, please call Senator Rivera's District Office at 718-933-2034.

Senator Rivera shares the community's concerns about public drug use and syringe litter near the Kingsbridge Underpass, Poe Park, and nearby hot spots. There are local harm reduction providers who clean up the needles safely and who connect with users to help them with recovery, medical care, and basic needs.

Our team created this schedule and contact informational sheet in collaboration with the harm reduction organizations serving the Northwest Bronx so that neighbors can contact them to assist with issues near Kingsbridge Road and the Grand Concourse. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 718-933-2034 or grivera@nysenate.gov. 

"I'm excited to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of NWBCCC, an organization that serves as a foundation for so many of our borough's most impactful leaders and organizers. NWBCCC is a powerful coalition that has driven change by amplifying the community's voices, holding leaders and institutions accountable, and fighting for the future of our Bronx," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, 33rd District, The Bronx. "I am proud to stand with NWBCCC on so many of the justice campaigns they are working on, like passing the New York Health Act and transforming the Kingsbridge Armory into a community asset, and will continue working with them for many years to come."

Senator Rivera is excited to Co-Sponsor NWBCCC's 50th anniversary block party! Join him on August 23rd for a day of music, dancing, games, and much more!

For every $2 spent at NYC farmers markets using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on an EBT card, shoppers can get $2 in Health Bucks up to $10 per day. Health Bucks are coupons redeemable for fruits and vegetables at all 130+ NYC farmers markets. For farmers market locations and hours of operation, see the 2024 Farmers Market Map

Summer EBT helps low-income families cover the cost of groceries when school is out of session. Most households do not need to apply for Summer EBT food benefits. For more info, including eligibility requirements, click here.

DUE 9/12: 2025 SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS IS NOW OPEN

The New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) 2025 Special Projects Fund Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open.

 

Special Projects Fund awards are one-time, nonrenewable funding opportunities available for organizations working to improve the health of New Yorkers, especially people of color and others who have been historically marginalized. Projects must address important and emerging health care and public health issues that fall outside NYHealth’s three priority areas:Primary Care; Healthy Food, Healthy Lives; and Veterans’ Health. NYHealth seeks to partner with a wide range of organizations implementing innovative projects that can improve health at the local, regional, or statewide levels.

 

Applicants must complete a letter of inquiry form (LOI) to determine whether a proposed project fits the funding criteria. LOIs are due on September 12, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. 

Selected organizations will then be invited to submit full proposals due on November 14, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.