Monday, April 11, 2022

PHIPPS NEIGHBORHOODS SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR SUMMER YOUTH JOBS

 

Venerable Bronx non-profit is seeking to provide 1,000 young people with summer jobs in 2022


 Phipps Neighborhoods, a non-profit social service provider in New York City, today announced that it’s seeking applications for the City’s Department of Youth and Community Development’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which will connect youth from the Bronx and Upper Manhattan with career exploration opportunities and paid work experiences. This year, Phipps Neighborhoods aims to serve 1,000 students with employment opportunities, an increase from its previous record of serving nearly 575 students last year. 

 

“This year, the Summer Youth Employment Program will employ 100,000 young people across the five boroughs, giving them the opportunity to learn valuable life skills while experiencing the value of earning a wage for their work,” said Andre White, President & CEO of Phipps Neighborhoods. “Our young people must play a role in the city’s ongoing recovery from COVID, and helping them find good jobs for the summer can do just that. I encourage all young people looking to have a productive summer to participate in the Summer Youth Employment Program and to join us at Phipps Neighborhoods, where we can pair you with the right company.”

 

The city’s SYEP program, which is the largest in the country, runs for six weeks in July and August. The program will provide young people with on-site and virtual (where available) project-based opportunities and paid opportunities to help the youth develop their professional, social, civic, and leadership skills. The project-based learning cohort will begin on July 5, 2022, and will service 14 and 15-year-old teens with career exploration opportunities and a $700 stipend. The worksite experience cohort will begin on July 5th (Cohort A) or July 11th, 2022 (Cohort B), offering $15 an hour employment opportunities for young people between the ages of 16-21. 

 

Positions for participants may include customer service representatives, marketing officials, after-school and camp counselors, administrative coordinators, healthcare representatives, and more. This year’s host companies and agencies include Phipps Neighborhoods, NYPD, NYC Parks, NYC Ambulance Services, Columbia University, East Side Housing, the Bronx Zoo and more. 

 

Those interested can apply at https://application.nycsyep.com/ or fill out an application in person at Phipps Houses Services, 1030 East 178th Street, Bronx NY 10460. Applicants interested in working through Phipps Neighborhoods should be sure to select “Phipps Neighborhoods” as their preferred worksite within the application. The current deadline to apply for the Summer Youth Employment Program is Friday, April 22, 2022


Bronx Community Board 9 - Free Spring Shredding

 


MAYOR ADAMS DESIGNATES JUNETEENTH A PAID NEW YORK CITY HOLIDAY

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after officially designating Juneteenth as a paid city holiday for the first time in New York City history:

 

“As the second Black mayor of New York City, I know that I stand on the shoulders of countless heroes and sheroes who put their lives on the line to secure a more perfect union. Now is the time for me to do a small part and recognize one of our nation’s greatest wrongs. 

 

“Juneteenth is a time for reflection, assessment, and self-improvement. People across the country of all races, nationalities, and religions unite on this day to truthfully acknowledge the stain of slavery and celebrate the countless contributions of Black Americans. It’s time for our city to finally do what’s right and officially designate Juneteenth as a city holiday. This decision is long overdue, which is why it will immediately take effect this year.

 

“Holding a mirror to our nation’s past atrocities is never easy, but it is necessary.”

 

Juneteenth, which falls on June 19th, marks the anniversary of the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to announce that all enslaved people were free. Coming two and half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, it is recognized as the effective end of slavery in the United States. It is widely considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth was officially designated as a federal holiday.


Attorney General James Applauds Biden Administration’s New Regulations Targeting Dangerous “Ghost Guns”

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today applauded U.S. President Joe Biden’s new federal regulations to crack down on ghost guns. These regulations are significant steps in addressing gun violence that is plaguing communities across New York and the country, and Attorney General James previously called on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to regulate ghost guns under federal law.

“Dangerous ghost guns exist for only one purpose — to put guns into the hands of those who are legally prohibited from owning a firearm,” said Attorney General James. “In New York, we have taken significant action to crack down on gun violence, taking more than 2,700 guns off our streets and shutting down websites that sell ghost guns in New York. But our efforts can only go so far if these untraceable weapons are not effectively regulated at the federal level. Ghost guns are just as dangerous as traditional firearms, and with the nomination of Steve Dettelbach to serve as director of the ATF, Americans can feel confident in the federal government’s commitment to gun safety. I thank President Biden for his unwavering dedication to this issue, and I look forward to working with him to keep our communities safe.”

Attorney General James has taken significant action to support gun safety measures. In August 2021, she joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in urging DOJ to finalize regulations that would make clear that ghost guns are firearms under federal law. In December 2021, Attorney General James vowed to defend a New York state law that restores the ability of the state and localities to bring civil liability actions against firearm manufacturers and sellers for their own bad conductAttorney General James continues to defend New York state’s gun licensing protection law at the U.S. Supreme Court against a lawsuit in the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.

Attorney General James has taken numerous other actions to ensure that New York state has the right to protect its residents from gun violence, including filing a number of amicus briefs defending states’ gun safety laws; suing the Trump administration for making dangerous 3D-printed gun files more accessible on the internet; stopping companies from selling online, incomplete ghost gun pieces to New Yorkers that could be easily assembled into illegal assault weapons; and taking more than 2,700 firearms off the streets through dozens of gun buyback events and other efforts; among other efforts.

Governor Hochul Announces Record $32.8 Billion for Transportation Infrastructure as Part of FY 2023 Budget

 Paving road work

New Five-Year, $32.8 Billion DOT Capital Plan Supports Major Infrastructure Projects Across New York State

Funds New Large-Scale Projects, Including Kensington Expressway in Buffalo; Livingston Avenue Bridge in Albany; Interstate 86 Conversion in Orange and Sullivan Counties; and the Inner Loop North in Rochester

Continues to Fund Existing Projects Including Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvement and the Replacement of I-81 in Syracuse

Increases Existing BRIDGE-NY Program by $1 Billion, Adds New $1 Billion Operation Pave Our Potholes Program, and Continues Record Commitments to Funding Local Highway and Bridge Programs


 The Budget includes a new historic $32.8 billion, five-year capital plan for programs and proposed projects administered by the New York State Department of Transportation. The adoption of this new capital plan, the largest investment ever in the state's transportation infrastructure, represents a $9.4 billion (40.2 percent) increase over the prior five-year plan period. The new transportation plan prioritizes and refocuses investments on State and local roads and bridges in smaller municipalities; makes our state's communities more resilient to extreme weather events; and incorporates strategic investments to reconnect neighborhoods and facilitate regional economic growth, while creating thousands of new jobs.

"The adoption of this extraordinary capital plan sends a strong signal that New York is building back stronger than ever from the depths of the pandemic," Governor Hochul said. "With this blueprint, we will give communities the infrastructure they need to unleash their full potential, enhancing connectivity, supporting transportation alternatives, and correcting the injustices of the past. I applaud Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie for their help in getting this done." 

The cornerstone of the new transportation capital plan is the targeted and record level of investment directed toward local roads and bridges in smaller municipalities throughout New York. Under the enacted transportation capital plan, direct support for local roads and bridges increases to more than $6.1 billion over the five-year period, an increase of nearly $2.5 billion (69 percent) including the doubling of funding available through the BRIDGE NY program and the new Operation Pave our Potholes initiative. In parallel, the enacted capital plan provides the resources necessary for the Department to maintain and renew State-owned assets.

The adoption of this plan will drive historic levels of funding for local governments, make supply chains more efficient, and better position the private sector to create highly skilled well-paying jobs. Highlights of the plan include:

  • Revitalizing the South Bronx by Reconstructing the Bruckner Sheridan Interchange at Hunts Point (New York City Region) - This project, currently in construction by the New York State Department of Transportation, will transform neighborhoods in the South Bronx by correcting the planning mistakes of the past by prioritizing health and safety. The construction of the new highway interchange; entrance and exit ramps; and rehabilitation of the Bruckner Viaduct will reduce commercial truck traffic in local residential areas; improve mobility, operations and safety; and mitigate poor air quality and harmful emissions in the South Bronx, one of the communities with the highest asthma rates in the nation. This project will also support the sustained growth of the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, which provides up to 60 percent of the produce, meat and fish consumed by New York City residents and visitors, by providing direct access to the campus. The Hunts Point Distribution Center employs more than 6,000 workers. In addition, the project will construct a new 1.5-mile shared-use path providing a connection to the 138th Street bike path heading to Randall's Island, Manhattan and Bronx River Greenway. The enacted budget includes $550 million toward the final phase of construction. All phases of this project are scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2025.
  • Reconfiguring the Oakdale Merge (Long Island Region) - To alleviate congestion where Sunrise Highway (Route 27), Montauk Highway (Route 27A) and other roadways converge, the State has committed $30 million to begin the federally required environmental review process for reconfiguring the Oakdale Merge in Suffolk County. The merge can no longer accommodate the approximately 126,000 vehicles that traverse the area daily and reducing recurring delays will mitigate harmful emissions impacting adjacent communities and improve quality of life for Long Island commuters.
  • Covering a Portion of the Cross-Bronx Expressway (New York City Region) - In partnership with New York City, the new State capital plan includes resources to begin a study which will assess the feasibility of decking sections of the Cross Bronx Expressway. The assessment will consider alternatives for reconnecting communities severed by construction of the viaduct to create new open public spaces, enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety along local streets, and reduce the harmful impacts of noise, air and heat pollution adjacent to the Expressway. This assessment represents a critical step toward removing unjust physical and economic barriers to residents of the Bronx.
  • Converting the Route 17 corridor in Orange and Sullivan Counties (Mid-Hudson Region) - Landmark investments in the Mid-Hudson Valley have resulted in the expansion of Woodbury Common and the construction of Legoland and Resorts World Catskills Casino. Over the past several years, projects have been completed by the Department of Transportation to further upgrade sections of Route 17, including reconstruction of the interchange at Exit 131, where Route 17 meets Interstate 87 and Route 32 (Woodbury Common) and reconstruction of Exits 122 and 125 (Legoland) to meet interstate standards. Up to $1 billion of the capital plan will be used to accelerate the conversion of the Route 17 corridor in Orange and Sullivan counties to Interstate 86, fueling transformative levels of economic growth in the region and improving quality of life by alleviating congestion.
  • Constructing the Community Grid in the City of Syracuse (Central New York Region) - Interstate 81 serves as an essential travel corridor for the Central New York Region, especially the downtown Syracuse area. The Community Grid project has been highlighted by President Biden as reflective of the Administration's priorities on equity, economic opportunity and transforming neighborhoods left behind. The enacted capital plan includes $1.1 billion, the balance of the $1.9 billion project commitment, toward replacing the elevated downtown viaduct structure with a new Community Grid that would disperse traffic along local north-south streets, upgrading a section of Interstate 481 and redesignating it as the new Interstate 81. The project will reconnect neighborhoods severed by construction of the original interstate and rejuvenate the downtown area with the construction of safe pedestrian and bicycle access for users of all ages and abilities.
  • Raising the Inner Loop freeway in the City of Rochester (Finger Lakes Region) - The State has committed up to $100 million in the new capital plan toward raising the Inner Loop North freeway in the City of Rochester. This new phase builds upon the successful completion of the Inner Loop East project administered by the City of Rochester in 2017, which raised and reconnected a 2/3 mile below-grade expressway into an at-grade boulevard. The new Inner Loop North project will reconnect several separated communities within downtown Rochester; provide direct links to the Genesee River and the High Falls District; connect and expand upon the investments from the ROC the Riverway program; promote connectivity; create new world-class greenspaces; and facilitate opportunities for economic development, including new infill development.
  • Restoring the Majestic Humboldt Parkway in the City of Buffalo (Western New York Region) - The new transportation capital plan includes up to $1 billion to reconnect the east-west neighborhoods across the depressed section of the Kensington Expressway corridor and re-establish the green space originally provided by Humboldt Parkway without compromising the long-term capacity of the important regional transportation link provided by the expressway. The existing Expressway is critical to the region and has both operational and structural deficiencies that require significant investment to address. This project will promote a community-based approach to restoring the historical and cultural significance of this corridor severed by construction in 1958.
  • Replacing the Livingston Avenue Railroad Bridge (Capital Region) - The Livingston Avenue railroad bridge provides a critical link for passenger rail service from the Northeast Corridor to Albany-Rensselaer. This new transportation plan includes up to $400 million to replace the existing, Civil War-era bridge with a new, modern structure capable of supporting higher-speed passenger rail, freight rail, maritime transport, and bicycle-pedestrian access.

Nos Quedamos - The BRONX FEDERAL CREDIT UNION is coming to Melrose Commons Tuesday, April 12th ~ 10am-2pm

 




The Bronx People’s Federal Credit Union comes to MELROSE COMMONS
April 12th! ~ 10am-2pm
Stationed outside of BORICUA COLLEGE
(
897 Elton Ave @ Washington Ave)
The Bronx People’s Federal Credit Union continues to roll as as mobil van and is coming to Melrose Commons with the following services and benefits: Affordable Savings Accounts; Free Checking Accounts; ITIN Application Assistance; Credit Builder Loans; Low-Rate Personal Loans; Access to 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMS and more, to support to community members, businesses, and employees in Melrose.

COME OUT AND MEET THE TEAM from 10AM~2PM!

This is another major win for The Bronx! 
FOLLOWING STOPS:
HUNTS POINTS
Tuesday, April 19th, 10am-2pm
The Bank Note Building Parking Lot (890 Garrison Ave Entrance)

LONGWOOD / MORRISANIA / PROSPECT
Thursday, April 7th & Thursday, April 21st, 10am-2pm
863 Prospect Avenue (near Westchester Avenue)

MELROSE COMMONS
Tuesday, April 26th, 10am-2pm
Boricua College Plaza
(890 Washington Avenue – between 161st & 163rd Streets)
Scan QR Code above for Interest Form. More info at link below.
nosquedamos.org/bronx-credit-union

Tom Suozzi, Candidate for New York State Governor visits the Bronx

 

Saturday candidate for New York Governor Tom Suozzi and Lieutenant Governor candidate Diana Reyna stopped by the Royal Coach Diner to greet seventy of his Bronx supporters led by Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer. Also on hand were former Councilman Andy King and past Bronx Borough President candidate Sammy Ravelo among the crowd. 


After being introduced by Former Bronx BP Ferrer Lieutenant Governor candidate Diana Reyna spoke of her experience in the New York City Council with former Councilman King, and then her four years as Deputy Brooklyn Borough President. She introduced candidate for New York Governor Tom Suozzi her running mate, who spoke about what is wrong with New York State currently, and what he thinks that has to be done to fix New York State. 315,000 people left New York State since the census was taken, the $220 Billion dollar budget, and why another decade of failing schools must not be allowed. Crime is the number one issue, The new Buffalo Billion stadium, affordable housing, the state with the highest taxes, and on a Bronx note the continued #62 that the Bronx has being last in good things, and first in bad things. 


While going around the room Tom Suozzi posed with Tiny and the Black Spades on hand, Queenie, and Sammy Ravelo.


Lieutenant Governor candidate Diana Reyna, with former Councilman Andy King.


The introduction of Lieutenant Governor candidate Diana Reyna, and candidate for Governor Tom Suozzi by Former Bronx BP Fernando Ferrer.


First Lieutenant Governor candidate Diana Reyna spoke, then below candidate for Governor Tom Suozzi laid out his platform.


Sunday, April 10, 2022

Governor Hochul Announces Unprecedented Support for Education in FY 2023 Budget, Including $31.5 Billion in School Aid

 classroom

School aid Increase of $2.1 Billion, for Highest Funding Level in State History    

$125 Million Increase in Pre-Kindergarten for Four-Year-Old Children   

$100 Million to Provide Academic and Mental Health Supports for Students and Educators   

$240 Million Increase and Extraordinary Funding Flexibility to Educate Children with Disabilities 

$2.2 Billion in New Capital for SUNY and CUNY Campuses   

$500 Million in New Operating Support for SUNY and CUNY    

$150 Million of Tuition Assistance for Part Time Students   


 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the education highlights of the FY 2023 Budget. Part of the historic plan includes a record $31.5 billion in total school aid for school year 2023, the highest level of State aid ever, and $8.2 billion in support for higher education as part of this year’s Budget.  

“The opportunity to pursue a quality education is the silver bullet for so many New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “With this budget we are going to unleash the power of higher education to lift up the people of our state by investing in our institutions and our teachers. Thanks to the help of Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie, this unprecedented level of funding will broaden access to opportunity in New York and build the education system of the future.”    

Historic Education Funding  

The State Budget is reflective of Governor Hochul’s strong commitment to education by providing additional funding and services to meet the needs of students, teachers, and schools amid the pandemic. The Budget is providing $31.5 billion in total school aid for school year 2023, the highest level of State aid ever. This investment represents a year-to-year increase of $2.1 billion, or 7.2 percent, compared to school year 2022, including a $1.5 billion or 7.7 percent Foundation Aid increase, representing the second year of Governor Hochul’s three-year commitment to fully fund Foundation Aid. 

Universal Pre-Kindergarten  

The Enacted Budget increases the State’s annual investment in high-quality prekindergarten to $1.1 billion, an increase of $125 million, or 13 percent. With this funding, school districts will be able to provide access to high-quality, full-day pre-kindergarten across the State for approximately 17,500 additional four-year-old children.

Special Education Support        

Governor Hochul is also providing an additional $240 million in new funds and significant flexibility to the funding of approved special education schools. This new funding for the education of children with disabilities is accompanied by greater financial and operational flexibility in these schools to meet student needs. This initiative will provide transformational changes in how our most vulnerable children are educated.   

Academic and Mental Health Support   

The State Budget includes a total of $100 million of matching funds over two years to be provided to school districts and BOCES with the highest needs to address student wellbeing and learning loss in response to the trauma brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes support for extended school day or school year programs, afterschool programs, mental health professionals and other locally determined initiatives.  

Recruiting and Retaining Teachers   

The Budget includes funding for new initiatives centered around expanding the workforce for teachers, as well as expanding the means by which professionals from other careers may become teachers.  

The Budget creates a state teacher residency program to bring more teachers into schools sooner while providing greater opportunity for support and training as they embark on their careers. The State will also expand alternative teacher certification programs, such as the New York City Teaching Collaborative, to make it easier and more appealing for professionals in other careers to become teachers. Aspiring teachers would apprentice in high-need school districts while pursuing a master’s degree in their field. 

The Budget includes initiatives to upskill current paraprofessionals and teaching assistants. There are more than 100,000 paraprofessionals and teaching assistants in New York State schools—a number that is rapidly rising. The Budget will provide grants for paraprofessionals who remain employed in a school district to pursue a teaching degree. School districts would be required to pair candidates with professional mentors.  

In order to bolster the workforce and address the teacher shortage, the Budget will temporarily waive the income cap for certain retirees. There are 169,000 retired New York State Teachers, many of whom would be willing to return to teaching by waiving the current pension limit. Certain retirees would have the $35,000 limit removed, incentivizing teachers and other school workers to rejoin the workforce.  

Green Education  

In order to improve air quality for school-age New Yorkers, the State Budget requires that all new school bus purchases be zero-emissions by 2027 and all school buses on the road be zero-emissions by 2035. The State Budget will provide $500 million through the Environmental Bond Act to support school districts in purchases of zero-emission buses and related charging infrastructure including charging stations. Additionally, the State Budget authorizes school districts to lease or finance zero-emission buses for 12 years, more than double the current five-year limitation for diesel buses, in order to help districts meet this goal, and ensures Transportation Aid is provided on zero-emission buses and related charging infrastructure.  

The Budget will build on Governor Hochul’s commitment to bring environmental sustainability to New York schools. The Clean Green Schools initiative provided in the “Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act” will serve more than 1,000 public schools and benefit nearly 1 million students. The program will drive significant infrastructure upgrades, such as geothermal heating and cooling, solar, green roofs, and indoor air quality/ventilation. This vital investment will not only boost the state’s economy but advance climate justice by bringing clean energy and a healthier indoor environment to under-resourced public schools.  

SUNY and CUNY Operating Support     

Governor Hochul is providing more than $500 million in new SUNY and CUNY operating support. This transformational increase includes money for both systems and greater supports for students across the State. This includes $68 million of one-time debt service relief for the three SUNY teaching hospitals.    

New Faculty   

The State Budget provides SUNY and CUNY with $106 million—$53 million for each system—to hire additional full-time faculty at both four-year colleges and community colleges. This investment will fund additional full-time faculty— at SUNY and CUNY, including support for CUNY's plan to convert adjuncts to full-time faculty. In addition, the Budget includes a $110 million increase to fund fringe benefits for SUNY and CUNY staff.  

Strategic Investments    

The Budget allocates $100 million for nonrecurring strategic investments—$60 million for SUNY and $40 million for CUNY—to improve academic programs, increase enrollment, enhance student support services and modernize operations.  

New Capital Support for SUNY and CUNY Facilities   

The Budget invests $2.2 billion in new State-funded appropriations for capital projects at SUNY and CUNY—$1.2 billion for SUNY’s State-operated campuses, $879 million for CUNY’s senior colleges, and $102 million for community colleges across the State.    

Part-Time TAP   

Governor Hochul recognizes that for many students, full-time higher education is not viable with other challenges like work or families. She also recognizes that many students need access to effective training courses to upskill in their current careers. To address this, the Governor is providing $150 million to expand the Part-time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to support part-time students in degree-seeking programs and non-degree training programs at community colleges.  

Supporting Community Colleges    

The Budget includes a funding floor to protect community colleges from the loss of over $80 million in funding from declining enrollment.    

Expanded Opportunity Programs for Students   

The Governor is providing a $30 million increase in funding for higher education opportunity programs and training centers, to ensure those students who face academic and economic challenges are positioned for success.   

Expanded Childcare on Campus   

The Governor is providing $15.6 million in start-up funding to establish childcare centers on all remaining SUNY and CUNY campuses. This initiative will greatly expand access to higher education for more individuals.