Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbor,

Thank you for joining us for another week in review.

We are excited to announce the launch of Future Forward Bronx, a collaborative initiative aimed at expanding employment opportunities for Bronx residents. This initiative will feature a series of job fairs at Borough Hall, designed to connect job seekers—especially those historically excluded from the traditional job market—with meaningful employment opportunities and long-term career pathways. Our goal is to bridge the gap between our talented community members and employers who are looking to build a diverse, thriving workforce. We believe that everyone deserves the chance to succeed, and we are committed to creating pathways for all Bronxites to do so. Please be on the lookout for information on future employment fairs.

This week, we’re also celebrating the start of Savor the Bronx, an exciting culinary event featuring over 70 participating restaurants from February 18th-23rd. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore the rich and diverse flavors that make our borough unique. Be sure to visit ilovethebronx.com for a full list of participating restaurants and exclusive deals—let’s savor the taste of the Bronx together!

Finally, a reminder that the 2025 Borough Cultural Grant application deadline is quickly approaching. If you’re involved in a cultural project or event that will benefit our borough, you can apply for funding until March 3, 2025. These grants support initiatives that promote arts, culture, and community engagement in the Bronx, and we encourage you to apply. Click here for more information!

As always, if you need support from our office, you can call 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

IN THE COMMUNITY

Last week’s Bronx Fashion Week was an incredible success, showcasing the talent and creativity that make our borough shine. A heartfelt thank you to the models, sponsors, and especially Flora Montes, Founder and CEO of Bronx Fashion Week, for making this event possible. And a special thanks to our amazing emcee, Noelle Lilley, for bringing her energy and flair to the stage. Together, we continue to elevate the Bronx as a hub for fashion and culture!

Fighting the Opioid Crisis: Recovering Together Last week, I stood with the Third Avenue BID, Bronx Economic Development Corporation, St. Ann’s Corner of Harm Reduction, Samaritan Daytop Village, and Bronx Community Board 1 to announce Recovering Together—a new initiative to combat the opioid epidemic devastating our borough. Inform – We’re launching Narcan training sessions in high-risk neighborhoods to equip residents, businesses, and community leaders with life-saving tools to prevent overdoses. Invest – We’re pushing for Opioid Settlement Funds to be allocated directly to the hardest-hit communities to support a drop-in center in the Hub and expand addiction recovery services. Intervene – We’re revitalizing our commercial corridors with new security cameras, façade enhancements, and improved street lighting to make our neighborhoods safer and stronger. The Bronx leads NYC in opioid-related fatalities—it’s time for action. We’re committed to saving lives, expanding treatment options, and investing in our communities to ensure recovery is accessible for all. Together, we will fight this crisis and ensure that no one is left behind. The time to act is now.

Savor the Bronx is back! I was proud to join the Bronx Economic Development Corporation, the Bronx Tourism Council, food enthusiasts, and sponsors at SUYO Gastrofusion to officially kick off Savor the Bronx Restaurant Week! From February 18 to February 23, 2025, we are celebrating the incredible diversity of our borough’s culinary scene and the small businesses that make the Bronx a true food destination.

Assemblymember John Zaccaro - Community Newsletter #1

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As we kick off a new year, I am excited to share with you the first edition of our 2025 community newsletter. This will be a regular way for us to stay connected and keep you informed about

the latest happenings in our community, important updates from the state assembly, and the work we're doing together to make our community an even better place to live, work, and thrive.

2025 is shaping up to be a year of progress, and I’m committed to ensuring that your voices are heard in Albany. Whether it’s addressing the needs of our schools, housing affordability,

supporting small businesses, or strengthening public safety, I am here to represent you and advocate for the issues that matter most to our community.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement. I look forward to hearing from you and working alongside you to create a bright future for our district.

Warmly,

New York State Assembly Member

As we look ahead to 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible work we accomplished together in 2024. I am truly

proud of how our community united to support one another and celebrate the unique qualities that make our neighborhood special.

Building on last year’s successes, we’re already off to a strong start—planning more events, advocating for critical legislation, and continuing our commitment to fostering a community

that honors our rich, diverse culture. Reflecting on all we achieved in 2024, I’m filled with energy and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025!

SECURING STATE FUNDING FOR TENANTS

Promises made, promises delivered! This past year I secured more than $11 million in capital funding through the state budget that will go directly to our residents in Mitchell Lama housing. 

These buildings are in desperate need of updated elevators, security, and facade work and this funding goes towards ensuring Mitchell Lama housing in our district will be here for years to come.

TACKLING FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR COMMUNITY

Each year, me and my team strive to host free community food giveaways as a way to fill the gap for families struggling to get by. As prices for everyday items and groceries increase—events like

these become increasingly more important for our community. Stay tuned for an upcoming food giveaway near you!

DELIVERING FOR OUR FAMILIES DURING THE HOLIDAYS

The holidays are a time to celebrate with loved ones and enjoy food, fun and fellowship. I was proud to help make the holidays a little easier for families by hosting events and giveaways that elevated

the spirit of the holidays for so many. 

GIVING THANKS WITH TURKEYS: This

year we broke records, and that included our Thanksgiving Turkey Distributions. In 2024 we gave away more than 1,800 Thanksgiving turkeys! 

WINTER COAT GIVEAWAY: As

we welcomed the winter weather, so did we welcome children in our community to provide free winter coats for all children in attendance. 

2025-26 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS 

In the New York State Assembly, a committee is a group of legislators who are responsible for reviewing and discussing proposed laws (bills), holding hearings, and gathering information on specific

issues. Once a bill is reviewed and discussed in committee, it can be moved forward for a full vote in the Assembly. Committees play a key role in making sure proposed laws are thoroughly examined before they reach the floor for debate. I am proud to announce that I have been appointed to serve on the committees for Aging, Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, Economic Development, Education, Small Business and Tourism, Parks & Sports Development.

LEGISLATION ON THE MOVE

Assembly Bill A35

aims to increase transparency and notification to our community when operators submit applications to open up a licensed cannabis dispensary in our community. 

Assembly Bill A51

aims to provide training to day care facility employees on how to administer opioid reversal medication in the event a child should ingest opioids. 

Assembly Bill A116

aims to reel in the e-scooter industry and riders for greater accountability. Creating a manual that will include an overview of traffic laws, safety related information and where and how to properly store your e-scooter when completing a ride. 

FREE TAX PREP SERVICES

Back by popular demand, our office will be providing FREE Tax Prep services every

Thursday until April 10th. Call TODAY to book your appointment.  

COMMUNITY FOOD GIVEAWAY

Join me next Friday, February

28th at 1pm at Zimmerman Playground in Allerton for a Community Food Giveaway. This event is first come, first serve while supplies last. 

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S ATTEMPT TO UNDO CONGESTION PRICING

 

"The Trump administration is attempting to undo a program that was approved, implemented, and by all early results, is working to benefit our city. That’s not how laws work, and I want New Yorkers to know that as of now, the system is still in place. 

 

"This amateurish attempt to defund our city’s public transit, pollute our air, and stall our progress must be clearly condemned and combated by all responsible leaders. Unfortunately, Mayor Adams is preoccupied this afternoon, put in the undeniably untenable position of fighting more to save himself than our city." 

City Council Approves SPARC Kips Bay, Innovation East Life Sciences Facilities In Kips Bay, Manhattan

 

On February 13, the New York City Council voted in approval of SPARC Kips Bay and Innovation East, two new developments located in Kips Bay, Manhattan. Led by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the projects will introduce more than 2.5 million square feet of research, education, and healthcare facilities to Manhattan’s East Side. SPARC Kips Bay will serve as a hub for innovation, career development, and public health, and is projected to generate $42 billion in economic impact over 30 years and create 15,000 jobs. Innovation East will replace the outdated Public Health Lab with a modern life sciences center, adding another 1,000 jobs to the city’s biotech ecosystem. The site is located on Hunter College’s Brookdale Campus at First Avenue and East 25th Street.

Rendering of SPARC Kips Bay with Innovation East at right, looking south from Bellevue Hospital on First Avenue near 27th Street, via edc.nyc

SPARC Kips Bay will concert the campus into a research and workforce development hub with new academic spaces for CUNY institutions, a public health-focused high school, life sciences research labs, and outpatient healthcare facilities. The facilities will aim to establish direct pathways from local schools and universities into high-paying jobs in biotech and healthcare.

Work will also include the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over FDR Drive and accessible green spaces. Groundbreaking is expected by the end of 2025, with completion anticipated in 2031.

Innovation East, located at 455 First Avenue, will revitalize the former Public Health Lab site into a 500,000-square-foot life sciences facility. It plans to provide hands-on educational programs for students, workforce training opportunities, and career pathways in healthcare and biotech. Similar to SPARC Kips Bay, the project plans to collaborate with local schools and universities in an effort to help prepare New Yorkers for emerging careers in the life sciences industry. Demolition of the existing structure is scheduled for 2026, with construction beginning in 2027.

Health Net Federal Services, LLC and Centene Corporation Agree to Pay Over $11 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Liability for Cybersecurity Violations

 

Health Net Federal Services Inc. (HNFS) of Rancho Cordova, California and its corporate parent, St. Louis-based Centene Corporation, have agreed to pay $11,253,400 to resolve claims that HNFS falsely certified compliance with cybersecurity requirements in a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to administer the Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) TRICARE health benefits program for servicemembers and their families. In 2016, Centene acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Health Net Inc., HNFS’s corporate parent, and assumed the liabilities of HNFS.

“Companies that hold sensitive government information, including sensitive information of the nation’s servicemembers and their families, must meet their contractual obligations to protect it,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to pursue knowing violations of cybersecurity requirements by federal contractors and grantees to protect Americans’ privacy and economic and national security.”

“Safeguarding sensitive government information, particularly when it relates to the health and well-being of millions of service members and their families, is of paramount importance,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith for the Eastern District of California. “When HNFS failed to uphold its cybersecurity obligations, it didn’t just breach its contract with the government, it breached its duty to the people who sacrifice so much in defense of our nation.”

“This settlement reflects the significance of protecting TRICARE, and the service members and their families who depend on the health care program, from risks of exploitation,” said Cyber Field Office Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the DoD Office of Inspector General. “DCIS will not be deterred from investigating contractors that fail to comply with federal cybersecurity requirements and risk exposing protected information vulnerable to criminal hackers. The U.S. taxpayers who fund these government contracts expect no less.”

The settlement resolves allegations that, between 2015 and 2018, HNFS failed to meet certain cybersecurity controls and falsely certified compliance with them in annual reports to DHA that were required under its contract to administer the TRICARE program. The United States alleged that HNFS failed to timely scan for known vulnerabilities and to remedy security flaws on its networks and systems, in accordance with its System Security Plan and the response times HNFS had established. Furthermore, the United States alleged HNFS ignored reports from third-party security auditors and its internal audit department of cybersecurity risks on HNFS’ networks and systems related to asset management; access controls; configuration settings; firewalls; end-of-life hardware and software in use; patch management (i.e., installing critical security updates released by vendors to counter known threats); vulnerability scanning; and password policies.

The Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California handled the matter, with assistance from DoD’s Office of Inspector General, including the DCIS, Cyber Field Office Western Region and the Inspector General’s Office of Audits, Cyberspace Operations Directorate, and DoD’s Defense Contract Management Agency, Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center.

Trial Attorneys Christopher Wilson, Laura Hill, and Jonathan Thrope of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Tennyson for the Eastern District of California represented the United States in this matter.

The claims asserted against defendants are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.