Thursday, June 13, 2019

The Bronx Democratic Party County Dinner - 2019 Honorees






The Bronx Democratic Party is happy to present our 2019 County Dinner Honorees, each have made notable contributions and accomplished key victories throughout their respective industries that resonate throughout Bronx County & the Great State on New York.

Chairman Marcos A.Crespo along with The Bronx Democratic Party hope that this coming Wednesday, July 17th at 6PM, you join us in recognizing our esteemed honorees.

If you have not already, below please find buttons linking you to our official invitation, sponsorship/ journal opportunities and contribution forms.

BP DIAZ FIGHTS FOR INCREASED MWBE PARTICIPATION IN NEW YORK CITY’S PENSION FUND


Two resolutions introduced today would require the NYCERS to significantly increase its business with Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises

 This morning, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. introduced two resolutions designed to increase diversity at the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS), which administers the retirement benefits for over 350,000 members, by increasing the pension fund’s contracting with Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE).

“Our city is the most diverse in the world, and our investment decisions should reflect that diversity,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who serves as a trustee on the NYCERS board. “For too long, NYCERS has failed to provide enough opportunity to MWBE fund managers, and these two resolutions are the first step towards providing true equity at the largest pension management system in the world.”

The first resolution will empower NYCERS to hire a consultant specifically to vet qualified MWBE fund managers in order to consider them for future pension fund management. A second resolution would require NYCERS to dedicate 20 percent of all investments with MWBE managers, eventually rising to 50 percent.

The total estimated value of NYCERS funds is roughly $194 billion. Currently, NYCERS only contracts roughly 10 percent of all of its assets with MWBE fund managers.

“We cannot accept limited MWBE participation in any form of City investment, and that includes at our pension fund,” said Borough President Diaz. “It is incumbent upon NYCERS to recognize the diversity of this city and do everything it can to reflect that diversity in its own hiring and contracting processes.”

Borough President Diaz first announced this package of resolutions in his February “State of the Borough” Address.

“And we must promote equity and opportunity, not just in housing and education, but in all areas. That is why, as a trustee on the New York City Employees Retirement System Board, I will be introducing a resolution mandating that NYCERS allocate double the percentage of its funds currently managed by MWBEs,” said Borough President Diaz in his speech. “My resolution requires that diversity increase until our fund managers better represent the diversity of our city. Women are 60 percent of NYC’s workforce, and minorities comprise approximately 55 percent. Together, we will level the playing field at our pension fund.”
 

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES PILOT INITIATIVE TO DIVERT HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS ON THE SUBWAY FROM UNNECESSARY COURT PROCESSES


SUPPORTS, NOT SUMMONSES:
Unsheltered individuals in the subway system in Manhattan to be offered shelter and services in lieu of summonses

 The de Blasio Administration today announced a pilot initiative to support people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on the subway by offering alternative pathways off the streets into transitional and permanent housing. The New York City Police Department, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, the City’s Department of Homeless Services, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and New York City Transit will enhance their close coordination with HOME-STAT outreach teams by providing new options to individuals they encounter in the subway system, diverting individuals from the criminal justice system towards outreach services and supportive programs.

“New Yorkers want homeless people in the subway to receive the right interventions that will help them get back on their feet. Subjecting these individuals to criminal justice involvement for low level, non-violent offenses is not the answer and does not help anyone,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This initiative strikes the right balance, and we are excited to give it a try as we expand approaches to prevent and address homelessness.”

Through the Subway Diversion Project, individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness (i.e. having no active legal address at the time of engagement and not residing in shelter) encountered by the NYPD in the transit system (i.e. subway cars and subway stations) in Manhattan and observed to be in violation of New York City Transit Code of Conduct rules, such as fare evasion and lying outstretched, will be offered referrals to services in lieu of civil summonses. The program will begin on July 1st. Participants who opt into the program will complete an assessment with an outreach team, receive a referral to shelter and/or other services, and have their summonses cleared in coordination with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, ultimately diverting them towards shelter away from unnecessary formal court processes and helping more people come inside and out of the subways. Any incidents of violent crime will still result in arrest and strong enforcement

“The NYPD works continuously with our partners – such as the MTA, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, DHS, and the Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC) – to connect those in need with critical services, and to improve quality of life and safety on the subways and across the city,” said NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill.  “These partnerships include innovative solutions like this one to strike a sensible balance and to deliver real results for New Yorkers.”

“As the City continues to lighten the touch of enforcement on low level offenses and build the fairest possible justice system, we are thankful for this partnership with the Bowery Residents' Committee, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and City agencies to help ensure people experiencing homelessness have ample access to resources and supports that best address their needs,” said Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice Director Elizabeth Glazer

“Our Office is proud to continue investing in structural reforms that keep New Yorkers out of the justice system and provide more meaningful interventions instead. Unsheltered people living in the subway need services – not arrests and court appearances for technical violations of transit rules,” said Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance. “I thank Mayor de Blasio, the NYPD, and the Bowery Residents Committee for their innovation and collaboration on this potentially life-altering pilot program.”

“Our City is focused on continually finding new ways to reach New Yorkers in need where they are and encourage them to accept services,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. “In partnership with the NYPD, our HOME-STAT outreach teams continue to bring creative ideas and interventions to the table to build on our progress transitioning more than 2,200 people off the streets and subways and into shelter and housing. Diverting individuals from criminal justice system involvement while helping them come out of the subways and into shelter and housing programs is a win for everyone.”

“As we address the citywide challenge of homelessness, our HOME-STAT outreach providers continue to innovate with new approaches and enhance partnerships, offering those we serve alternative pathways back to housing permanency,” said Department of Homeless Services Administrator Joslyn Carter. “Working closely with the NYPD, MOCJ, and Manhattan DA’s office, we’re bringing our experience and expertise to the table to help connect unsheltered New Yorkers to services and supports as they get back on their feet, instead of burdening them with unnecessary court processes and summonses, which can make it harder to regain stability. We’re proud to be part of this progressive partnership and look forward to continuing to build on our collaborations.”

“BRC is proud to have this opportunity to enhance our great partnership with NYC DHS and the NYPD, undertaking this pioneering and necessary effort that recognizes that the solution to homelessness is not to criminalize the victim but to guide them toward the help they need,” said BRC CEO Muzzy Rosenblatt.

NYPD Engagement – Throughout their regular tours of duty, when NYPD Transit officers encounter people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on the subway committing Transit Code violations, rather than arrest these individuals and serve them with a civil summons, officers will complete an initial review to determine the individual’s housing status and eligibility for participation in the Subway Diversion Project.

NYPD Referral and HOME-STAT Outreach Assessment – If deemed eligible, the NYPD officer will offer the individual participation in the diversion program in lieu of a civil summons. Individuals who choose to participate in the project will be escorted to one of four Manhattan district offices where not-for-profit social service and HOME-STAT outreach provider BRC will complete an assessment to determine their housing, employment, medical, and substance use and mental health treatment histories. BRC outreach teams will be available 24/7/365 for referral calls.

Diversion to Services – Any individual who agrees to participate in the diversion program will give their summons to the BRC outreach team, who will coordinate with the MTA and the NYPD to clear the summons.

Placement and Follow-Up – Following the assessment and concurrent with the diversion confirmation, the team will discuss possible short-term and long-term referral options with the client, drawing on their experience utilizing harm reduction models and other evidence-based practices to inform services offered to diversion program participants.Depending on the results of the assessment, the BRC outreach team will offer the client a referral to appropriate placement at one of the following locations:

Medical and Non-Medical Detox Placements
Dedicated overnight and Safe Haven beds
Drop-In Services
NYC Shelter Intake
Referral Appointment for BRC Drop-In Office Hours

These practices will form the backbone of the diversion program, creating an effective structure for removing barriers to service and respecting each client’s individual level of readiness for change. BRC’s approach to outreach as part of the City’s HOME-STAT program provides a brief restorative intervention to deflect participants away from the formal court process. The pilot’s impact will be analyzed by MOCJ in partnership with the NYPD, DHS and BRC and evaluated for expansion.

Building on Unprecedented Investments and Interventions – Since 2014, the City has redoubled outreach efforts, dedicating unprecedented new resources to street outreach programs and providers:

Helping more than 2,200 individuals off the streets and out of the subways and into transitional and permanent settings since the launch of HOME-STAT in April 2016.
More than doubling the City’s investment in street homeless programs, increasing by more than from approximately $45M in 2013 to approximately $126M today.
More than doubling the number of outreach staff canvassing the streets and subways engaging New Yorkers 24/7/365 since 2014, from 191 to nearly 400, with those dedicated staff spending months building relationships by making regular contact with street homeless New Yorkers to build trust and encourage them to accept services and transition off the streets.
On our way to tripling the number of emergency ‘safe haven’ and ‘stabilization’ beds dedicated to serving street homeless New Yorkers citywide since 2014, with hundreds of beds opened during this Administration and hundreds more set to open in the coming years, ultimately increasing the operating total from roughly 600 beds to nearly 1,800 beds. Taken together with additional roughly 350 respite beds, there will be 2,100 beds dedicated to serving street homeless individuals available to HOME-STAT outreach teams citywide.
Building the City’s first-ever by-name list of individuals known to be homeless and residing on the streets and in the subways to improve delivery of services, with outreach teams now knowing approximately 1,700 street homeless individuals by name and actively engaging another 2,200 individuals encountered on the streets to determine whether they are homeless.
Increasing joint outreach operations to engage more New Yorkers and offer more supports, including expanding joint outreach operations with NYPD in Midtown, Manhattan to seven days per week, and enhancing coordination with the NYPD and MTA on the subways to provide alternative pathways to permanence.
  
New Yorkers who see individuals they believe to be homeless and in need of assistance should contact 3-1-1 via phone or mobile app and request outreach assistance for the most immediate response.


Wave Hill events June 27‒July 4: Rosy Sunday


Thu, June 27
Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Fri, June 28
Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Sat, June 29
As humanity continues to reshape the world around itself, what will other life on this planet come to look like? With exhibiting artistGeoffrey Owen Miller, create art inspired by his work in Wave Hill’s Sun Porch and envision dreams of future nature. Create papercraft sculptures of plants and animals of your imagination based on adaptations that will be important to the future. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sat, June 29
Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions. The exhibition Here We Land features three former Winter Workspace artists, Camille HoffmanMaria Hupfield and Sara Jimenez, who return to explore narratives about contested space that draw on personal and cultural touch points in their immersive installations. In the Sunroom, Amir Hariri creates sculptural installations constructed of wood, brick and other building materials—along with a wall drawing—that connect to his architectural research to the Bronx and Wave Hill. In the Sun Porch, Geoffrey Owen Miller suspends transparent, upside down sculptures of flora and fauna—inspired by Wave Hill—from the ceiling over sheets of black-mirrored glass. Visitors see prismatic reflections of the hanging plants and animals in upright positions in the glass. Free with admission to the grounds.
Glyndor Gallery, 2PM

Sun, June 30
On Sundays through July, enjoy the gardens as the setting for your yoga practice as your find your breath and become connected to the landscape. Classes are led by certified Yoga Haven instructors. All levels welcome. Please bring a mat and be on time. This class is rain or shine; the rain location is Glyndor Gallery. $25; Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration suggested, online.
On the Grounds, 9:30‒10:30AM

Sun, June 30
As humanity continues to reshape the world around itself, what will other life on this planet come to look like? With exhibiting artistGeoffrey Owen Miller, create art inspired by his work in Wave Hill’s Sun Porch and envision dreams of future nature. Create papercraft sculptures of plants and animals of your imagination based on adaptations that will be important to the future. Free with admission to the grounds.
Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, June 30
Stop by our spritz station to sample scents from the Rosaceae (Rose) family. Learn about the medicinal qualities of roses and mix your own rose water spritz to use cosmetically or around the house. Ages eight and older welcome with an adult. $10 materials fee.Rosy Sunday event.
On the Grounds, 11AM‒1PM

Sun, June 30
To misquote Shakespeare, that which we call a rose…could be a lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis), a pearlbush (Exochorda racemosa) or even a California holly (Heteromeles arbutifolia). Discover the amazing diversity of the rose (Rosaceae) family on a gentle stroll through the garden with Senior Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day. Free with admission to the grounds. Rosy Sunday event.
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, NOON

Sun, June 30
Roses are beautiful and fragrant, but did you know that they are also edible? Both rose petals and rose water are common ingredients in Persian, Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine. Learn how to incorporate the aromatic flavor of roses into your summer recipes and sample rosy baked goods and a beverage prepared by a talented chef from Great Performances. Go home with tasty recipes and a new appreciation for this noble flower! Free with admission to the grounds. Rosy Sunday event.
Wave Hill House, 2PM

Sun, June 30
Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2PM

Tue, July 2
Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions. The exhibition Here We Land features three former Winter Workspace artists, Camille HoffmanMaria Hupfield and Sara Jimenez, who return to explore narratives about contested space that draw on personal and cultural touch points in their immersive installations. In the Sunroom, Amir Hariri creates sculptural installations constructed of wood, brick and other building materials—along with a wall drawing—that connect to his architectural research to the Bronx and Wave Hill. In the Sun Porch, Geoffrey Owen Miller suspends transparent, upside down sculptures of flora and fauna—inspired by Wave Hill—from the ceiling over sheets of black-mirrored glass. Visitors see prismatic reflections of the hanging plants and animals in upright positions in the glass. Free with admission to the grounds.
Glyndor Gallery, 2PM

Wed, July 3
Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Wed, July 3
A pillar of the burgeoning NYC Country-Western music scene, New York City-based singer-songwriter Zephaniah OHora performs his original country songs that takes you back to Bakersfield and the 1960s in Nashville. This Highway, the debut album from the NYC song slinger has been dubbed a "modern classic country masterpiece," earning OHora widespread critical acclaim and appearances at major US and European festivals. Saving Country Music declares his debut album to be "classic country mastery” and in a live review wrote, "Zephaniah OHora live is everything you want him to be like with his record: it’s a completely indefinable, indescribable something-ness that all those old greats had.” Free with admission to the grounds. Special evening admission starts at 4PM. $12 general adult admission; $8 student and seniors 65+; $6 children ages six+. Purchase admission online by 4pm day of event and save $2. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under age six. No guest passes or reciprocal admission accepted.

Thu, July 4
Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights on Independence Day. Free with admission to the grounds.
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM, March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES – Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm
  
DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

South Bronx Leadership Business Award and Meeting



  Michael Brady the Executive Director of the Third Avenue Business Improvement District gave a current view of what is happening in the Third Avenue BID. 275,000 visitors, 240+ shops and Businesses, and five million square feet of real estate. After going over some more details Mr. Brady said that he expects the figures he quoted to triple in a few short years. The Third Avenue BID will increase in size as old buildings are finished with their renovations, and the new buildings that are currently going up will be completed. He thanked City Councilman Rafael Salamanca (who was at City Hall) and Congressman Jose Serrano (who was in Washington) for the success of the Third Avenue Bid. The event was held at  the Metropolitan College of New York, located on East 149th Street at Third Avenue. 

On hand were Bronx District Attorney and the Executive Director of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Ms. Lisa Sorin. DA Clark spoke about working with the businesses on obtaining the video footage of security cameras when a crime occurs so the police can catch the crooks. Ms. Sorin spoke about partnering with the Third Avenue BID to increase business throughout the entire Bronx. 


Above - Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark talks to the BID.
Below - Bronx Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lisa Sorin.




Above - Congressman Jose Serrano was the first to receive a South Bronx Leadership Award, but Congressman Serrano was in Washington, as District Director Anthony R. Jordan accepts the Leadership Award from Mr. Brady and Ms. Sorin. 
Below - In 2020 a  new YMCA will be opening in the Third Avenue BID area. Sharon Greenberger CEO/President of the YMCA of Greater New York receives a Leadership  Award from Mr. Brady and Ms. Sorin.  




Above - Ramon Cuaya Coyotl owner of Coffee Delight receives a Leadership Award from Mr. Brady and Ms. Sorin.
Below - Esmeralda Herrera of Communitas America HGI Initiative receives a Leadership Award from Mr. Brady and Javier Medrano the Deputy Director of the Third Avenue BID.




Reverend Francis Skelly of the Immaculate Conception Church received the final award named Bread and Roses for his 42 years of service to the community. He is being transferred elsewhere. 

Summit on Latin@s - New York City at Lehman College


  The 2019 Summit on LatinAs-New York City was held Tuesday at Lehman College. It was a full day event starting with opening remarks by New York City Council Speaker Cory Johnson. An overview of SOL-NYC 2019 was given, and panel discussions began. 

 The first panel discussion topic was Economic Development. This panel had on it Hector Cordero-Guzman a professor from the School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College. Wendy Garcia the Chief Diversity Officer from the NYC Comptroller's Office, Paul Quintero CEO Accion NY, and Henry Garrido the Executive Director for District Council 37. 

 The second panel had elected officials NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Councilman Carlos Menchaca, Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, and Assemblywoman Carmen de la Rosa. This panel was followed by a lunch where Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. spoke about where the Bronx was before he became borough president to where the borough now is at. 

 Bronx BP Diaz said that in a city with a population of three million Latinos 'Why is it that there has not been a citywide Latino elected official?' Cheers of Diaz for Mayor could be heard after that. He finished by saying that he has been an elected official for twenty-one years now, and it is time that we have a seat at the table. 

      

Above - BP Diaz and Councilman Rodriguez greet each other, and chatted for a few minutes.
Below - BP Diaz making a point to the audience during his speech, as to why with three million Latinos, why is there not a Latino citywide elected official?





Above - Jose L. Venegas asks a question of BP Diaz about new building in the Bronx displacing Latinos. 
Below - BP Diaz answers that those who come to build in the Bronx must respect the community, not displace the community, but build for the community. 


COUNCILMAN TORRES & CULTURAL COMMUNITY TO RALLY & PUSH FOR $25 MILLION INCREASE IN CITY BUDGET TO SUPPORT CULTURAL & ARTS INSTITUTIONS IN THE BRONX & ACROSS NYC



 Councilman Ritchie Torres  artists and cultural activists and leaders from cultural institutions across the Bronx to rally and press Mayor de Blasio to invest $25 million for cultural funding in the city’s budget that is currently being negotiated. New York City is home to more than 1,500 cultural organizations. The cultural sector brings $4 billion in revenue to the city annually and employs 8% of the city’s workforce, but the current proposed fiscal year 2020 budget for arts and cultural institutions is $48.1 million (24% less) than last year’s budget. The City must continue to expand funding for cultural organizations that drive our economy and together make New York City the cultural capital of the world Councilman Torres said.


Above - Ms. Lucy Sexton of New Yorkers for Cultural Arts speaks why the arts are so important to all New Yorkers.
Below - Charles Rice-Gonzalez of BADD an Arts provider speaks about why different Arts programs are important. 




Above and Below - Those in attendance were given a little sample of a dance routine by Jennifer Beasty Acosta and Ana "Rokefella" Garcia.