MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES NEW CENTER FOR FAITH AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

   Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the creation of the Center for Faith and Community Partnerships to transform the way in which faith organizations and other community organizations access City services. The Center for Faith and Community Partnerships will serve as a direct line to City Hall, connecting local and citywide coalitions of leaders to services that increase equity and inspire civic engagement throughout our neighborhoods.

“Many New Yorkers flock to their faith and community leaders in search of guidance and comfort in times of need, not knowing where to access City programs and services that can help them,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The new Center for Faith and Community Partnerships will bridge this gap and support the valuable work our leaders already do.” 

The Center for Faith and Community Partnerships will be housed within the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit and led by Jonathan Soto. The office will hire new staff members, including borough coordinators.   

“In the past three years, the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit has worked to connect everyday New Yorkers to City initiatives aimed to address affordable housing, public safety and other quality of life issues,” said Marco Carrión, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit. “A one-stop-shop for resources, information and other supports is needed and I am happy to welcome the Center for Faith and Community partnerships to our office’s strategic outreach and engagement efforts.” 

"Since its inception, the Mayor's Clergy Advisory Council has catalyzed key partnerships between citywide and neighborhood-based community leaders, leading to initiatives that have improved the lives of many New Yorkers," said Jonathan Soto, Executive Director of the Center for Faith and Community Partnerships."The Center for Faith and Community Partnerships will broaden the impact of City Hall's existing initiatives, and we look forward to bringing all New Yorkers into this important work."

“It is with great enthusiasm that I applaud Mayor de Blasio's latest initiative to connect New Yorkers to resources that exist within City government. The Center for Faith and Community Partnerships will creatively engage and partner with the City's faith and community leaders to deliver these much needed resources,” said Reverend Michael A. Walrond Jr., Senior Pastor at First Corinthian Baptist and Chair of the Mayor's Clergy Advisory Council.

"As we address the city's critical need for affordable housing, it is imperative that we seize every opportunity to press land into service for affordable homes," said Vicki Been, Commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.  "That is why HPD has been working closely with the Mayor’s Clergy Advisory Council and the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit to let faith-based institutions and other mission-driven organizations know about opportunities for the preservation and development of affordable housing, and work with them to provide their communities with tenant protection resources. We look forward to working with the Center for Faith and Community Partnerships to support the many faith and community based organizations with underused land that could help meet the need for quality, safe, affordable housing."

“Community and faith-organizations already help us to reach and serve New Yorkers from all walks of life,” said Michael Owh, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services. “The new center will increase our capacity to find new partners and develop relevant programs to meet the needs of our diverse residents.”

"Supporting our faith and community leaders by better connecting them to City services is critical to ensuring neighborhoods across the city are plugged into those resources," said NYC Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin. "NYC Service is excited to support this effort to help catalyze civic engagement and we thank the Mayor's Community Affairs Unit for their leadership."

THE BRONX PARTNERS WITH ZIPCAR TO GENERATE MORE TRAFFIC TO RESTAURANTS

  Aim is to increase business during post-holiday slowdown

  The Bronx Tourism Council announced an initiative with Zipcar to help promote restaurants and other businesses in the borough. The emphasis is on giving Zipcar members added value while introducing them to eating establishments not easily-accessible by subway. Restaurants, as well as some stores, will be offering 15% off food items and select products in areas such as Riverdale, Throggs Neck, City Island, and Arthur Avenue, recently named one of America’s Greatest Streets by the American Planners Association. These neighborhoods are off the beaten path and suffer most once the holiday rush is over and winter sets in.

“That’s no reason to stay home,” says Olga Luz Tirado, executive director of The Bronx Tourism Council. She adds, “There are plenty of delicious reasons to bundle up and get out there.”

“Our borough is home to some of the greatest restaurants and eateries the city has to offer, and this partnership between The Bronx Tourism Council and Zipcar will provide epicureans with an opportunity to explore the great tastes our borough has to offer. I congratulate Zipcar on this tremendous new partnership with The Bronx Tourism Council, and I look forward to working with them in the future,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Restaurants participating in the promotion include:

Riverdale:     

Bacco, 3524 Johnson Avenue, Bronx, NY 10463

Blackstone, 3713 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10463

Moss Café, 3260 Johnson Avenue, Bronx, NY 10463

Throggs Neck:

Escape Latino, 1841 Hobart Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461

Ice House Café, 140 Reynolds Avenue, Bronx, NY 10465

Lucca Restaurant, 3019 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461

Outback Steakhouse, 270 Baychester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475

Arthur Avenue: 

Catania’s Pizzeria & Café, 2307 Arthur Avenue, Bronx, NY 10458

City Island:    

Bistro SK, 273 City Island Avenue, Bronx, NY 10464

Other Participants:

Bronx Brewery, 856 East 136^th Street, Bronx, NY 10454

Gun Hill Brewing Company, 3227 Laconia Avenue, Bronx, NY 10469

Gun Hill Tavern, 780 East 133^rd Street, Bronx, NY 10454

                  

In addition to restaurants, the website will include boutique shops, museums and galleries to peruse, and specialty markets that offer a variety of products.

Kaleidoscope Gallery – 15% off select items, 280 City Island Avenue

Focal Point Gallery – 15-30% off select items, 321 City Island Avenue

Cerini Coffee & Gifts – 15% off select items, 2334 Arthur Avenue

Other participating institutions can be found in the Zipcar “Deals” page at Zipcar.com/bronxguide.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr - 2017 State of the Borough Address

You are cordially invited to Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.'s 2017 State of the Borough Address. The Honorable Ruben Diaz Jr. President, Borough of The Bronx cordially invites you to The State of The Borough Address Thursday, February 23, 2017 11:30 a.m. John F. Kennedy High School 99 Terrace View Avenue The Bronx seating is limited Click Here to R.S.V.P.

Independent Democratic Conference members receive leadership posts on influential committees

  Members of the Independent Democratic Conference gained top Senate committee leadership roles when they were handed up on Tuesday including appointments on Labor, Banks, Consumer Affairs, Children and Families, Health, Finance and Codes.

The influential chairmanships and vice chairmanships provide venues for IDC members to oversee important policy and legislative matters.

“As our conference grows, I’m proud that Independent Democratic Conference all of our members will continue to lead the way by serving on key Senate committees where they will shape policy and legislation that matters to all New Yorkers. I congratulate my members on their new positions and their deep dedication to this state,” said Majority Coalition and IDC Leader Jeff Klein.

Newly-minted Senator Marisol Alcantara will serve as the State Senate’s Labor Chairwoman. She brings with her a breadth of knowledge on labor issues. She served as a union organizer for SEIU 32BJ and, most recently, as an organizer for the New York State’s Nurses Association. She received a Master’s degree in Labor relations from the CUNY Murphy Institute of Labor. A daughter of transit workers, she is a member of the Steel Workers union.

The Senate’s Labor Committee will have the opportunity to discuss the IDC’s “No Worker Left Behind” policy which seeks to enhance wages beyond $15 for direct care workers and protect car wash workers from exploitation by making them eligible for the minimum wage. Also key in the IDC’s Changing NY Agenda, the “Made by New Yorkers,” proposal, which aims to bring manufacturing back to the state, generate jobs and brand products made in the state will be discussed in this committee.

“As a longtime labor organizer and activist, I understand both the enduring achievements of the labor movement and the importance of strong labor laws that ensure justice and humanity in the workplace. Most of our lives are spent at work, and New Yorkers deserve to be treated fairly and with respect by their employers. As such, I take the chairwomanship of the Labor Committee as a solemn responsibility to which I will bring strong values forged over a lifetime of working within the labor movement,” said Senator Alcantara.

Senator Jesse Hamilton will serve as the State Senate’s Chairman on Banks. An attorney, he worked for the City’s Department of Finance for 28 years.

“I previously worked as the ranking member of the Senate’s Committee on Banks and I’m proud to take the reigns this session. We have a lot of issues to examine like the exploitation of the elderly in the reverse mortgage industry and on M/WBEs. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work,” said Senator Hamilton.

IDC Deputy Leader David Valesky will continue to serve as the Vice Chairman of the Health Committee. Senator Valesky has worked as the Vice Chair on Health for two years.

“From making sure policy keeps New Yorkers healthy to ensuring the wellness of our hospitals, our health care institutions and everyone employed in the health care industry, I’m proud to serve once again as the Senate’s Health Committee Vice Chair. We will not let another Hoosick Falls happen again, and this year I will focus on protecting our public drinking water,” said Senator Valesky.

In his role, Senator Valesky will push legislation to adopt the EPA’s list of unregulated contaminants into state law, giving small communities the resources to test their water supplies for these dangerous substances. He will also call for a strategic water safety fund to drive a study and long term plan to ensure a safe water supply for all New Yorkers. These investments include identifying technologies to improve monitoring of public water supplies, identifying new revenue streams to invest in statewide water handling infrastructure and other recommendations to prevent further crises.

Senator David Carlucci will serve as the Chairman of Consumer Protection.

“Making sure that consumers are protected is critical for economic success.  As Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee, I will fight to crackdown and eliminate scam artists and also promote best practices to help businesses grow and thrive,” said Senator Carlucci.

As Chair of Consumer Protection, Senator Carlucci will work on the IDC’s Utility Consumer Advocate proposal. This advocate would would operate independently and provide a meaningful voice for consumers who currently have no voice in the rate-setting process.

Senator Diane Savino will serve as Vice Chairwoman of both the Finance and the Code Committees. She’s previously served as the head of the Labor and Bank committees. The Finance Committee will have the opportunity to examine the IDC’s “College Affordability for All” proposal, which aims to expand Tuition Assistance Awards to more middle-class students across the state, regardless of immigration status.

“Both the Finance and the Codes committees are vital in the State Senate, and I’m honored to serve as vice chairwoman of each of these distinguished groups and continue fighting for the issues most important to New Yorkers,” said Senator Savino.

Senator Tony Avella will serve as the Chairman of the Children and Families Committee. He previously served as its chair in the 2015-16 session.

“I have dedicated my life to protecting working and middle-class New Yorkers and I look forward to continuing that effort as the Chairman of the Children and Families Committee. I am happy to continue in this role and look forward to ensuring the safety and well-being of New York’s families in that capacity," said Senator Avella.

The Children and Families Committee will address important issues such as raising the age of criminal responsibility for 16- and 17-year-olds, an issue where New York trails behind 48 other states. In addition, the committee will work on expanding afterschool programs, providing children and adolescents in a safe environment to grow academically and stay off the streets, as well as expanding the child care tax credit.

As a leader of the Senate, IDC Leader Klein is considered an ex officio member of every committee.

The IDC also handed up conference leadership roles for this year’s legislative session:

• Senator Klein will serve as IDC Leader,

• Senator Valesky will serve as IDC Deputy Leader for Legislative Operations,

• Senator Carlucci will serve as IDC Whip,

• Senator Savino will serve as IDC Liaison to the Executive Branch; and

• Senator Avella will serve as IDC Assistant Conference Leader for Policy and Administration.

"Mark Gjonaj for NYC Council" Campaign Kick-Off "

  Last night the Mark Gjonaj for City Council campaign was kicked off with a well attended fundraiser at the F & J Pine Restaurant on Bronxdale Avenue. 13th City Council candidate candidate Mark Gjonaj had the following statement.

Dear Friend,

I hope you had a wonderful Holiday season. As we enter the new year, I am thrilled to announce that I am embarking on a new journey. In case you missed it, I have officially announced my run for New York City Council - District 13. I look forward to continue serving you. From City Hall, I will be in a better position to create more jobs, enhance our neighborhoods, increase our police force, and combat homelessness. I look forward to displaying the type of leadership my neighbors have come to know and expect from me.

With my campaign's first fundraising deadline quickly approaching next week, I hope I can count on your continued support and friendship. Please join me as we kick-off my candidacy for NYC Council.

For additional information, contact Vera at (718) 755-2920 or NewYorkersforMarkGjonaj@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your support.

Yours Truly,

Mark Gjonaj

Above - 13 City Council candidate Mark Gjonaj outlines his plan to help and improve the 13th City Council district he hopes to represent.

Below - Future 13th City Councilman (?) Mark Gjonaj stands with his lovely wife Roberta on his left, Sister Elsa (to his right), and his very proud mother Rosa.

MAYOR DE BLASIO MARKS NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH WITH LAUNCH OF NYC YOUTH MENTORING INITIATIVE

The initiative will bring schools, City agencies, community-based mentoring organizations and the business community together to establish mentoring programs in 400 high schools by 2022

   Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin today marked National Mentoring Month by launching the NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative to increase mentoring opportunities for high school youth across the five boroughs. The initiative aims to establish mentoring programs in 400 New York City high schools by 2022, annually engaging 14,000 New Yorkers as volunteer mentors to 40,000 high school students. The initiative will support the City’s Equity and Excellence plan to achieve 80 percent high school graduation and two-thirds college-readiness rates by 2026.

The initiative launch includes an audio and video PSA, as well as a bus shelter campaign encouraging more New Yorkers to serve as volunteer mentors to high school youth.

“New Yorkers know our greatest strength is our people, so we must work together to invest in our future,” saidMayor Bill de Blasio. “The NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative is about reaching more high school youth across the city with positive mentoring relationships that can shape the path to their future and ours. I want to thank the many committed partners involved in this multi-sector collaboration, as well as the thousands of New Yorkers who already mentor young people in our City. I ask that you inspire someone else in your life to visitnyc.gov/service and become a personal champion to a young person in their community.”

“The NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative is a powerful, one of a kind program with the potential to touch thousands of lives across the five boroughs,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “The New York City Council is proud to work with the Administration on this new initiative to help our city’s youth grow and learn every day by fostering impactful mentorships.”

"Children need to believe that any future is possible for them. Research shows that quality youth mentoring programs can help children believe in themselves and invest in their futures," said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery. “I’m so glad that this Administration takes the promise of mentoring seriously and is engaging community-based mentoring organizations to reach 40,000 kids with NYC Youth Mentoring.”

“We know that quality mentoring relationships create pathways to positive youth development and open doors of opportunity,” said NYC Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin. “This initiative is bringing our City together to take bold steps towards ensuring more New Yorkers see the value in mentoring High school youth, more students have a mentorship experience, and we encourage a cycle of mentoring in our communities. NYC Service is honored to be part of this important effort and we thank our schools, City agencies, community-based mentoring organizations, and businesses for joining forces to make the future of our City a priority.”

The NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative is a collaborative effort by NYC Service, the Department of Education, Department of Youth & Community Development, Center for Youth Employment, the Young Men’s Initiative and community-based mentoring organizations across New York City. As a proven youth development strategy which contributes to positive decision making, education achievements and successful career and college choices, mentoring will be encouraged among more New York City high school youth while also encouraging more New Yorkers to step up as mentors to these students. From the current baseline of approximately 20,000 High School mentees and 9,000 volunteer mentors, the Youth Mentoring Initiative will double the number of mentees and increase the number of volunteer mentors by 55 percent over the next five years.

The initiative will also offer prospective volunteer mentors a wide range of mentoring opportunities and models with flexibility and broad applicability to support their community and engage with youth. The initiative will both expand existing mentoring programs and focus on launching new programs in Young Men’s Initiative priority communities, including East Harlem, South Bronx, South Jamaica, Brownsville, East New York and Staten Island’s North Shore.

The growth from 20,000 to 40,000 High School mentees will be driven by the following:

1. Established mentoring programs in at least 400 high schools through the expansion of current community-based organization (CBO) mentoring programs, launch of new high school mentoring programs by CBOs, and expansion of College/Career Awareness mentoring as well as “one day programs” for a total of 33,000 high school mentees.

2. Expansion of embedded mentoring programs in DYCD workforce development programs for a total of 3,000 high school mentees.

3. Expansion of CBO programs at CBO centers to 6,000 high school mentees.

The growth from 9,000 volunteer mentors to 14,000 will be driven by campaigns to reach and engage the following:

1. Individual New Yorkers through groups, associations, colleges/universities and faith-based organizations with a neighborhood focus.

2. Corporations and small businesses.

3. City employees.

Youth who were at-risk of falling off track but had a mentor are:

• 37 percent less likely to skip a class.
• 81 percent more likely to participate regularly in sports or extracurricular activities than those who do not.
• 55 percent more likely to enroll in college.
• 90 percent are interested in becoming a mentor.
• 130 percent more likely to hold leadership positions.

“Bringing mentoring opportunities to student’s educational experience enriches their learning and provides a unique opportunity to develop transferable skills, cultivate meaningful relationships with caring adults, and develop valuable interpersonal skills,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “As part of our ongoing partnership with NYC Service, this program will now reach even more students across the City and we look forward to building on this critical work.”

“Mentors play a vital role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible decisions, stay focused and unlock their full potential. Whether helping mentees study for a test, learn a new skill, or lift them up after a setback, mentors provide our youth with the strength and resilience to move forward and set their sights even higher,” said Department of Youth & Community Development Commissioner Bill Chong. “We are truly grateful to Mayor de Blasio and our partners across the City for recognizing the importance of this national movement, and for inspiring role models to become mentors and help extend ladders of opportunity to our next generation of New Yorkers.”

“A caring and supportive mentoring relationship serves as a force multiplier for young adults’ positive developmental experiences,” said David Fischer, Executive Director of the NYC Center for Youth Employment. “The Center is excited to be a part of the NYC Youth Mentoring Initiative as an important element of our mission to expand, align and improve programs helping young New Yorkers gain work experiences, build skills, and explore potential career paths.”

More information on the benefits of mentoring can be found here.

CM COHEN AND DOT ANNOUNCE TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENT NEAR KINGSBRIDGE SCHOOL

Council Member Andrew Cohen; Nivardo Lopez, Acting Borough Commissioner, DOT; Frank Patterson, P.S. 7 Principal, parents and children from PS 7 met at the corner of Corlear Avenue and West 232nd Street, outside P.S. 7. to cheer the placement of a 4-way stop sign designation by the DOT.

The intersection in the middle of a residential community, within blocks of several schools, has been the scene of numerous crashes throughout the years including one PS 7 student being struck by a car.

Above - Councilman Cohen gives a brief history of the intersection at West 232nd Street and Corlear Avenue, the scene of many traffic accidents and one student being hit by a car over the past few years.

Below - PS7 Principal Frank Patterson thanks Councilman Cohen and Bronx DOT Commissioner Nivardo Lopez (to Councilman Cohen's right) for making the intersection now a four way stop. He added now a crossing guard is needed.

COMMUNITY EVENT- Understanding the Recent Opioid Epidemic in Our Community and Other Addiction Issues

Understanding the Recent Opioid Epidemic in Our Community and Other Addiction Issues

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Morris Park Community Association

1824 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx NY 10462

Jantra M. Coll, Psy.D., Clinical Director

Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Center (CATC)

NYC Health + Hospitals / Jacobi

·         The opioid epidemic that is occurring on a local and national level.

·         How addiction can strike anyone including those from good families, those with good jobs, and those who had previously not had an addiction problems. Prescription medication for pain management, such as Percocet and morphine, impacts people who previously didn’t have a history of addiction since “as needed” prescriptions result in overuse and consequently addiction. For others with addiction, there is a high psychological component as people self-medicate to help heal from trauma.

·         The modern view of addiction as a disease that requires management just like diabetes. To help people recover from addiction, treatment requires a network of services involving an interdisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors.

Addiction Services at NYC Health + Hospitals / Jacobi

Detox Unit

Medically managed detox spanning from three to five days, providing medications to help patients safely

withdraw.

The Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Center (CATC)

CATC is an outpatient program that helps people learn new ways to manage their addiction and address the

underlying causes. This intensive outpatient program offers:

·         Individual Addiction Counseling where a counselor guides the patient through the recovery process

·         Group Recovery Treatment Programs

·         Vocational Counseling helping to prepare patients to compete in the job market

·         Individual and Family Psychotherapy

·         Trauma Treatment

·         Wellness Program teaching healthy habits regarding nutrition, sleep and exercise

·         Medications when needed to treat depression, anxiety or other conditions.

For More Information, Please contact-

718-918-4465

Jacobi Building #1, 9th Floor West Wing

1400 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY 10461