MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES ‘HOMETOWN HEROES’ TICKER TAPE PARADE TO THANK ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND CELEBRATE NEW YORK CITY’S RETURN

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced ‘Hometown Heroes,’ a ticker tape parade celebrating the Summer of New York City and thanking the essential workers who uplifted New Yorkers through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade, which will take place at 11:00 A.M. on July 7, 2021, will begin by Manhattan’s Battery Park, travel along the Canyon of Heroes, and end with a ceremony in City Hall Park. 

“We can never thank our essential workers enough for all they’ve done for this city. But we can celebrate their heroism in our streets – and put on a safe, dynamic, unforgettable parade to show our appreciation,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Thanks to these essential workers, we’ve fought back COVID-19 and we’re on our way to building a recovery for all of us. I can’t wait to march alongside them.”

 

“Over the course of 125 years, New Yorkers of all stripes have honored our hometown sports teams, world leaders, military veterans and astronauts, and to celebrate achievements in athletics, exploration, aviation and science. On behalf of all City agencies, it is our distinct honor to celebrate those New Yorkers who guided us through the darkest days of the pandemic,” said Dan Gross, Executive Director of Citywide Events.

 

“These individuals held our city together during one of its darkest hours and worked tirelessly to help New Yorkers through the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot thank them enough for their sacrifice, but that's not going to stop us from trying,” said Melissa A. Browne, Executive Director of The Mayor’s Office of Special Projects and Community Events. “The ceremony will honor and celebrate the sacrifice and resilience of our frontline heroes.”

 

 The parade will feature a variety of different floats, each of which representing a group of essential workers who served this city heroically throughout the pandemic. Represented groups will include:

• Advocacy organizations
• City workers
• Educators
• Emergency food providers
• Faith leaders
• First responders
• Healthcare workers
• Hospitality and buildings workers
• Retail and bodega workers
• Social service and settlement house workers
• Transportation workers
• Utilities workers

 

Councilman Mark Gjonaj's NYC Moving Forward Week in Review - 6/11/2021

 Dear Friends,

I hope you and your families are doing well. We are so happy to continue to celebrate with the Graduating Class of 2021 and honor so many students as another school year winds down.

Our Summer Concert series kicked off last week in Bufano Park with music and entertainment by Just Nuts and another one is on the way tomorrow night at the Rudy Macina Plaza.

This week we held our Virtual Tenant Resource Fair with NIDC and HPD and glad that our constituents got so many questions answered about affordable housing, eviction moratorium, foreclosure etc.

I was honored to present a street co-naming in honor of Joe DeSimone, a leader and an inspiration to so many in our community. Most notably known as a football JV and Varsity Coach at Spellman Highschool and later as the League President of the Warriors Football League in Pelham Bay.

I am proud to continue to partner with Met Council, AAOHA, Essen Healthcare and ICNA Relief for upcoming Food Giveaways for those in need in District 13.

The NYC Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform has announced an upcoming virtual hearing for the Bronx on June 14. The Commission is soliciting input from the public. You may register to testify on the Commission’s website at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/propertytaxreform/contact/property-tax-reform-hearing-registration.page

In partnership with the Wildcats, our office has continued to help so many constituents with a lot of cleanup and graffiti removal issues from Pelham Parkway to Throggs Neck.

As always we are here for you, so please do not hesitate to contact my office with issues or concerns at 718-931-1721 or email at MGjonaj@council.nyc.gov.

Sincerely,

NYC Councilman Mark Gjonaj

District 13, Bronx

Summer 2021 Concert Series

NYCHA Pelham Parkway Houses Family Fun Day

Pelham Parkway Food Box Giveaway

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at the Bronx House

Father's Day Tie Giveaway

Free Limited Tickets to the New York Botanical Garden

Street Co-Naming Ceremony - Daniel C. Cestaro

District 13 Food Giveaway

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - Virtual Programs: Honoring the Enslaved African Legacy in VCP

2021 marks the 200th anniversary of the freeing of Enslaved Africans an their descendants at the Van Cortlandt plantation. Join us for a series of virtual programs to celebrate freedom and learn more about the true history of Van Cortlandt Park. Juneteenth Ceremony Saturday, June 19, 11am to 12pm On Juneteenth, in gratitude for the sacrifice of the African Ancestors who built what is now Van Cortlandt Park, the African Burial Ground in the park will be consecrated.  Proceedings hosted by cultural consultant Peggy King Jorde                                                                                    Libation Ceremony by Chief Baba Neil Clarke  Live Music by Bronx Arts Ensemble  Traditional Negro Spirituals by soloist Beverly Fleming-Camejo Remarks by Artist and Historian Kamau Ware, Black Gotham Experience Benediction by Rev. Dr. Hermon L. Darden, Senior Pastor, St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church  Ceremony will be livestreamed on Facebook Live. Let's Talk About Slavery in Van Cortlandt Park Tuesday, June 22 at 6:30pm Educator and subject expert Cheyney McKnight will lead this presentation. Cheyney McKnight is the founder and owner of Not Your Momma’s History. She acts as an interpreter advocate for interpreters of color at historical sites up and down the east Coast, providing them with much needed on-call support.  Register Now Digital Tour Available 24/7 Pathways to the Past: The Enslaved Africans Legacy Tour will shed light on the true history that shaped Van Cortlandt Park. Visit the tour landing page to watch videos and learn more about locations built by Enslaved Africans in Van Cortlandt Park. Acknowledgment: Programs are presented respectfully by Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Van Cortlandt House Museum, Kingsbridge Historical Society, and the Enslaved People Project Task Force Steering Committee in partnership with NYC Parks. These programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.

Share Tweet Follow

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance 80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1 Bronx, NY 10463 www.vancortlandt.org

 

VACCINE FOR ALL: CITY LAUNCHES ‘NYC VACCINE REFERRAL BONUS’ PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE VACCINATION

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today launched the ‘NYC Vaccine Referral Bonus’ program to encourage more New Yorkers to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The City will work with community-based organizations to turn out their neighbors, awarding  $100 for each referral that leads an individual receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a City-run site.

“With summer upon us, we all want to bring back the city we love. The best way for New Yorkers to do that is to get vaccinated,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Through the NYC Referral Bonus program, we’re empowering New Yorkers in every neighborhood to be ambassadors for our city’s comeback by encouraging their friends and loved ones to get vaccinated.”

 

“The efforts of local, community-based and faith-based organizations have proven to be critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, and especially important as we continue to engage New Yorkers in vaccinations,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Melanie Hartzog. “The ‘NYC Vaccine Referral Bonus’ program will further reward these organizations that have worked tirelessly during this pandemic to make sure families and communities have the necessary support services to stay safe and continue to recover. Vaccines are a critical part of that long-term recovery.

 

The City will focus its outreach efforts on community and faith-based organizations, including NYCHA tenant associations and local mutual aid groups. The ‘NYC Vaccine Referral Bonus’ program will rely on the support of organizations that have already exhibited leadership during the City’s vaccination efforts, as well as the recruitment of other organizations and leaders through online signup and coaching.

 

Organizations can begin to sign-up for the program this Wednesday on NYC.gov/VaccineReferralBonus by providing an overview of their experience serving their local communities for the City’s review. Upon approval, organizations will be added to the City’s vax4nyc.nyc.gov platform for City-run vaccination sites. When an individual makes an appointment ahead of time or as a walkup, they will be able to choose which community organization referred them to get vaccinated. Once they receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the referral organization will be credited $100. Organizations can earn up to $20,000 each and payments will be made after the conclusion of the program.

 

“Vaccination is about the health of individuals and communities,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “Social networks are a critical component to reaching New Yorkers and this effort recognizes that a successful campaign depends on good neighbors.”

 

“Our resident associations and tenant leaders have been an indispensable network in the Authority’s efforts to communicate the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine,” said NYCHA EVP for Community Engagement and Partnerships Sideya Sherman and Executive Director, Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity. “We welcome this commitment from the Mayor’s Office, which will enable us to continue this vital work.”

 

Governor Cuomo Announces Statewide Vaccination Rate is 69.9%

 

Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity is 0.41% - Record Low for 17 Consecutive Days, Has Declined for 70 Consecutive Days

37,284 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

7 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday -- Lowest Since October 20, 2020

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combatting COVID-19.

"We are moving forward to our reimagined, post-COVID future at an incredible pace. A year ago, it was unfathomable to think we'd be at this point today," Governor Cuomo said. "As we approach our goal of 70 percent of New Yorkers with at least one dose of their vaccine, we also reflect on all we've been through. New York is the greatest state in the nation and New Yorkers have shown that they are a true force to be reckoned with. If you haven't already, I encourage you to get your COVID-19 vaccine so that you can fully enjoy all that this beautiful state has to offer with your loved ones this summer."

 
Today's data is summarized briefly below:

·         Test Results Reported - 61,634
·         Total Positive - 320
·         Percent Positive - 0.52%
·         7-Day Average Percent Positive - 0.41%
·         Patient Hospitalization - 617 (-13)
·         Patients Newly Admitted - 53
·         Patients in ICU - 163 (-7)
·         Patients in ICU with Intubation - 92 (-3)
·         Total Discharges - 183,747 (+76)
·         Deaths - 7
·         Total Deaths - 42,872

·         Total vaccine doses administered - 20,099,155

·         Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 37,284

·         Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 560,365

·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 67.4%

·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 60.2%

·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 69.9%

·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 61.3%

·         Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 55.7%

·         Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 49.2%

·         Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 57.8%

·         Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 50.0%