THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS KICKS OF IMMIGRANT HERITAGE WEEK 2022 WITH THE THEME “IMMIGRANT NEW YORK: REBUILDING TOGETHER.”

The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs kicks off Immigrant Heritage Week 2022 with the theme, “Immigrant New York: Rebuilding Together.”  

 

Originally started in 2004, Immigrant Heritage Week (IHW) is celebrated in mid–April to commemorate the legacy of April 17, 1907, the day in New York City history on which the largest number of immigrants – 11,000 – entered the U.S. through Ellis Island. 

 

This year, IHW will take place April 11 to April 17, 2022, and will include an array of in person and virtual community events and programs across every borough, giving New Yorkers more opportunities to celebrate their culture and learn about what makes the city so diverse and unique. A full list of Immigrant Heritage Week programs and events is available at nyc.gov/immigrantheritageweek.  

 

“While thousands of immigrants came to this country through Ellis Island looking for better lives for themselves and their children a century ago, it is important that we continue to recognize how immigrants’ histories, unique cultures, and contributions today still play a role in contributing to New York City’s diverse immigrant communities,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Our city supports our immigrants and recognizes how essential they have been in keeping our city running, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am proud to commemorate the important legacy that Immigrant Heritage Week represents.” 

 

"This week we celebrate all the ways immigrants make New York City more resilient, adaptable, and vibrant. Every day we can see the tremendous contribution they have made to the very fabric of our city. New York’s diversity is a source of strength, and we will continue to support and uplift all immigrant communities,” said Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services, Anne Williams-Isom.  

 

“This week NYC celebrates #ImmigrantHeritageWeek, a time we celebrate and honor the contributions that immigrants have made to our city, throughout history and present day,” said Manuel Castro, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. “For the 18th annual Immigrant Heritage Week, we focus on rebuilding together after a devasting crisis, and remember that we cannot rebuild our city without immigrant communities.” 

 

This year’s hallmark events include:  

 

Throughout the week – Taxi & Limousine Commissioner (TLC) Street Team Outreach. TLC outreach teams will host events and provide drivers with information about available City resources from NYC WELL, ODRC, DPU, MOIA & CCHR. Outreach events will occur across the City.  

 

April 11, 2022 – Queens Public Library is proud to present Guqin's Musical Play-A Day of Zhang Dai. 7sArt produced Guqin's musical play "A Day of Zhang Dai" describes a Chinese essayist’s daily activities, starting with the wake-up moment in the morning and displaying a scholar lifestyle during the Ming Dynasty. This play integrated substantial elements such as Guqin, Xiao, Tea, Calligraphy, Painting, Flower Arrangement, Poetry, and Literature as a whole. 

Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/QPLNYC 

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00:00 p.m. 

  

April 13, 2022 – Generation after generation, America’s changing population has changed its musical landscape. American Music in Changing America hosted by the Lincoln Center of Performing Arts, will be a conversation that explores the diversity of Latin music and culture, and how these rhythms and traditions have been integral to American music from its historical roots to the present day. Moderated by Julyssa Lopez. Panelists will include Linda Briceño, Carlos Chirinos, Jaime Lozano, and Sofia Rei who will share their musical influences. They will discuss how cross-cultural experiences have shaped their artistry and consider how Latin culture is represented in the American music industry through a critical lens.  

Location: Atrium’s entrance on Broadway, between 62nd and 63rd Street. Seating and entry are first-come, first-served basis. 

Time: 7:30PM – 9:00 PM   

 

April 14, 2022 – Brooklyn Public Library is proud to celebrate Immigrant Heritage with Italian Storytime, exploring emotions through stories, games, and activities.  

Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/BrooklynPublicLibrary/ 

Time: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM 

 

April 14, 2022 – NYC Emergency Management will be hosting an Emergency Preparedness Workshop in collaboration with the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) to teach New Yorkers about emergency preparedness. They will provide a workshop on emergency preparedness, conduct a raffle and encourage participants to explore the museum's exhibits.  

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/immigrant-heritage-week-emergency-preparedness-workshop-registration-302912538557 

Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM 

  

April 16, 2022 – The Washington Irving branch of Brooklyn Public Library and The Cultural Immigrant Initiative is proud to present Los 3 cochinitos/The 3 Little Pigs Bilingual Puppetshow. Afterwards, Repertorio Theatre will provide materials for a puppet-making workshop. 

Location: Brooklyn Public Library Washington Irving Branch 360 Irving Ave Brooklyn, NY 11237 

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

 

April 17, 2022 – The Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts will host Sitar Recital & Spiritual Songs. The first half of the event will be live instrumental recital Sita by Morshed Khan Apu with accompanied Tabla by Mir Naqibul Islam. The second half includes Bengali spiritual songs. At the end of the performances, there will be Iftar, the evening meal with which Muslims end daily Ramadan fast at sunset. 

Location: P.S 12 4200 72nd Street, Woodside 

Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 

About the NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs

The NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) promotes the well-being of NYC's immigrant communities by advocating for policies that increase justice, equity, and empowerment. MOIA leads, supports, and manages programs that help to successfully include immigrant New Yorkers into the civic, economic, and cultural life of the City. For more information on all MOIA services and the City's many resources for immigrant New Yorkers, go to nyc.gov/immigrants; call the MOIA hotline at 212-788-7654 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday or send an email to AskMOIA@cityhall.nyc.gov; and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

 

HOLY THURSDAY: CARDINAL DOLAN, GOYA FOODS AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF NEW YORK TO DISTRIBUTE 350 BAGS OF FOOD IN THE BRONX TO DAY LABORER COMMUNITY

 

Cardinal Dolan to Offer Blessing for the Holiday, Distribute Food and Supplies to Families In Need at St. Jerome’s HANDS Community Center in the Bronx

 

Goya To Announce Annual Donation of 300,000 Pounds of Food to Catholic Charities/Feeding Our Neighbors 

 

 On Holy Thursday, April 14th at 10:00 AM, His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan and Catholic Charities will visit St. Jerome’s HANDS Community Center in the Bronx to distribute 350 bags containing  produce, chicken, and dry goods to residents of the local community. In addition, Cardinal Dolan will offer a blessing to mark these most sacred days leading up to Easter. Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of New York, will join the Cardinal as he delivers a blessing and remarks. 

 

The HANDS Community Center is an organization and community plaza that seeks to strengthen immigrant families through education and skills development through literacy classes, basic English, computers, job training, citizenship courses, and social services.

 

During this event, Rafael Toro, Director of P.R. for Goya Foods will also be announcing Goya’s annual distribution of 300,000 pounds of food to Catholic Charities/Feeding Our Neighbors. Goya has long been a vital supporter of Catholic Charities’ efforts to provide for New Yorkers struggling with food insecurity. To date, Goya has donated over 1.8 million pounds of food to Catholic Charities and its agencies. 

 

The annual event highlights the ongoing work of Catholic Charities serving those struggling throughout the neighborhoods of New York City and the lower Hudson Valley, with holistic services to meet their needs. Many of the pantry bags will be distributed to members of Catholic Charities’ Day Laborer program, which supports immigrant working men and women with critical training, educational, and other case management assistance.  

10 AM (until supplies last)  

St. Jerome’s H.A.N.D.S Community Center 

                         Parking Lot

330 East 138th Street

Bronx, NY 10454

 

Former NYC Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. - “The Lone Voice of One Crying Out In The Wilderness”

 WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Former NYC Councilman

Rev. Ruben Diaz

  

You should know that this Wednesday, April 13, at 10:00 A.M., I will begin broadcasting a radio program, that will be simultaneously transmitted, through seven radio stations via the Christian radio ministry "Radio Cantico Nuevo."

 

The Board of Directors of “Radio Cantico Nuevo” and its President Rev. Federico Santiago has graciously given me the opportunity to broadcast this weekly program, which like my weekly column, is called "What You Should Know”.  This program will be broadcast live, every Wednesday for an hour from (10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.).     I will now have the opportunity to voice my opinions throughout the State of New York and three (3) other states in the Nation.

 

Those interested and residents of Bronx County, Nassau County, Queens, and White Plains New York will be able to tune in and listen to “What You Should Know” on "Radio Cantico Nuevo" 1520 AM.

 

Radio listeners from Yonkers and Rockland County will be able to tune in to station 910 AM., Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, Staten Island, and the State of New Jersey will hear the broadcast on 97.5 FM and 96.5 FM.   In South Texas we will be broadcasting through station 103.3 FM and in the State of Connecticut can tune in to station 1580 A.M.

 

As you can see my dear readers, when many may have thought that my voice and opinions would be silenced, upon my retirement from the City Council, my great, powerful, and merciful God has blessed me with this opportunity so I can continue to be that “Lone Voice of One Crying Out in the Wilderness."

 

I am the Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., and This Is What You Should Know.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We can't wait to hear Reverend Diaz Sr.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - APRIL 11, 2022

 

With Spring Holidays Ahead, Remember our Toolkit - Vaccines, Boosters, and Testing 

13 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday   

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

"With the Spring holidays approaching and New Yorkers making preparations to travel and gather with loved ones, I encourage everyone to continue using the tools we know help limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep both yourself and those around you safe," Governor Hochul said. "Make sure you are up to date on your doses, including the second booster once you're eligible. Parents and guardians, make sure your children are fully vaccinated. Remember to get tested before you travel, and if you test positive, isolate from others and talk to your doctor about treatments. We've made great progress in fighting the spread of COVID-19 and keeping our numbers down, let's continue to move forward through this pandemic safely."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Cases Per 100k - 20.78
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 24.85
• Test Results Reported - 84,478
• Total Positive - 4,060
• Percent Positive - 4.40%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.17%**
• Patient Hospitalization - 1,060 (+35)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 163
• Patients in ICU - 130 (-4)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 66 (+5)
• Total Discharges - 292,361 (+146)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 13
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 55,232

* These figures include at-home tests which Onondaga County, unlike other counties, has provided in their daily reporting to the New York State Department of Health. Future reporting from Onondaga County will not include home test data to ensure alignment and consistency with other counties.

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 70,419

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 37,797,781
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 25,187
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 238,074
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 83.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 86.4%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 82.7%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 72.8%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 81.7%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 73.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 89.8%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 76.4%

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows**:

Borough	Friday, April 8, 2022	Saturday, April 9, 2022	Sunday, April 10, 2022
Bronx	1.37%	1.40%	1.41%
Kings	2.48%	2.75%	2.79%
New York	3.89%	4.16%	4.19%
Queens	2.13%	2.37%	2.36%
Richmond	2.21%	2.61%	2.64%

MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT BIDEN’S ATF NOMINEE AND GHOST GUN RULE

 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams, co-chair of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, today released the following statement on the nomination of a new Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) director and the finalization of a rule to rein in the proliferation of ghost guns:

 

“The Biden administration today is taking important steps to sever the iron pipeline that delivers deadly weapons to New York City, where guns are not made and are too frequently used.

 

“The NYPD has taken nearly 1,800 guns off the street this year alone, yet the guns just keep flowing into our city — leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake. In order to do their part in damming the rivers that feed the sea of gun violence, the ATF needs a permanent director and Congress should immediately turn their attention to confirming this critical nominee. An agency needs a strong and permanent leader to truly get stuff done for Americans — and there is no issue more important than ending the gun violence we’re seeing across the nation.

 

“At the same time, the Biden administration deserves real credit for taking strong steps to tackle the problem of ghosts guns — the type of gun that was responsible for the tragic death of a 16-year-old child in the Bronx on Friday. Untraceable ghost guns are just as deadly as any other firearm, and they should be treated as such, not as a novelty item or a curiosity.

 

“And let’s be clear – these actions are not enough. We need an aggressive ATF, we need more regulation from Congress, and we need our entire federal government to be focused on addressing this crisis.”

 

Fan Noli Way Becomes a Reality

Born in 1882 Fan Noli attended Harvard University, and was an advocate of an independent Albanian country from the Ottoman Empire. When Albania gained its independence he became a member of the Albanian Parliament, and became Prime Minister in July of 1924, only to be overthrown on Christmas Eve of the same year. Noli fled to Italy, winding up in America once again in 1932. He continued his studies in Boston, and went into music before retiring to Florida where he passed away in 1965 at the age of 83. Fan Noli is also known as the founder of the Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America, the St. George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral in Boston. 

Co-naming the corner of Morris Park and Tenbroeck Avenues Fan Noli Way was passed in the City Council as presented by former Councilman Mark Gjonaj, and February 26th should have been the day the street co-naming took place. Because the official street sign was not in place due to a miscommunication many members of the Albanian community and others were very unhappy, but the street co-naming was moved to Saturday April 9th.

There was still a dark cloud over the street co-naming as rain had just stopped, and the clouds were still overhead, but the ceremony began with Church officials coming from Boston, and the Ambassador to the United Nations at this street co-naming for Fan Noli, an Albanian hero. New Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez was welcomed by the Albanian community after a greeting in Albanian was heard. Others included U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, and former Councilman Mark Gjonaj along with almost two hundred community members mostly of Albanian descent to honor one of their own. 

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer stands with the cardinal from the St. George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral in Boston. 

Part of the crowd of almost two-hundred people who are standing in front of what will be the new Albanian community center in Morris Park. 

The U.S. and Albanian National Anthems were sung.

The church leaders from the St. George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral in Boston gave the invocation. 

Former Councilman Mark Gjonaj spoke in a very proud tone now that Fan Noli Way was becoming a reality.

Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez was greeted with cheers as she spoke. 

Traditional Albanian Dancers performed before the cover was taken off the new sign Fan Noli Way.

Former Councilman Mark Gjonaj holds the rope to pull the cover off Fan Noli Way.

The corner of Morris Park Avenue and Tenbroeck Avenue is Officially Fan Noli Way.

A proud Mark Gjonaj holds up the sign Fan Noli Way that was given to dignitaries  who attended the street co-Naming for Fan Noli Way.