MAYOR ADAMS, ACS COMMISSIONER DANNHAUSER ANNOUNCE EXPANSION OF PROGRAMS TO CONNECT YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE TO COLLEGE FOR FREE, OFFER COACHES, AND CAREERS, CELEBRATE MILESTONES IN SERVING NEW YORK CITY’S YOUTH

 

City to Expand Successful Programs That Make New York City More Affordable and Expand Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care, Launch New Program for Students Pursuing Vocational Opportunities 

 

City Doubled Number of Youth in Foster Care Enrolled in College for Free Since 2022 Over 4,000 Youth in or Who Have Been in Foster Care or Juvenile Justice System Now Have Dedicated Coaches, With Plans to Expand by 50 Percent  

 

Programs Deliver on Another of Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City Commitments, $163 Million Investment to Reach 8,000 Total Participants Across Five ACS Programs Aimed at Supporting Youth  

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner (ACS) Jess Dannhauser today announced plans to expand a number of key programs aimed at helping youth in foster care connect to college and future career opportunities, fulfilling another commitment in Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City address.  

 

First, ACS’ Fair Futures program — which provides one-on-one coaching and tutoring, as well as a range of academic, career development, housing, and independent living for young people in foster care or in the juvenile justice system — is expanding from serving approximately 4,000 youth to approximately 6,000 youth, a 50 percent increase. Additionally, ACS’ College Choice program — which Mayor Adams launched in 2022 to provide college students in foster care with greater support systems, including financial support — is expanding from 430 youth to serve 530 youth. Finally, Career Choice is a new program that will provide financial assistance and a stipend to youth in foster care enrolled in a vocation, trade, or workforce development program in recognition of the fact that a traditional college pathway may not always meet the needs of all youth. Building off the success of College Choice, the new Career Choice program will connect young people in foster care who do not go to a two- or four-year college but are participating in vocational and job readiness training with financial and social support. 

 

“As I often say, while we can’t change the price of bread, we can put bread in your pocket, and, by helping our most vulnerable — our young New Yorkers in foster care — access college and career opportunities, we are putting money back in the pockets of those who need it most: future generations of New Yorkers,” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration is committed to uplifting all children, including our young people living in foster care, and to do that, we must take into consideration all the circumstances of a young person’s life, from birth until after graduation. I am proud our administration is expanding the Fair Futures and College Choice programs, as well as launching Career Choice, to further serve young New Yorkers and ensure their futures are as bright as they are. This is all part of the $163-million investment we announced in this year’s State of the City address to reach 8,000 total participants across five ACS programs. Promises made, promises kept.” 

 

“ACS is committed to making sure our young people in foster care have easy access to the tools they need to be successful,” said ACS Commissioner Dannhauser. “We are proud of the fact that, ever since we launched the Fair Futures and College Choice programs, more young people in foster care have had the opportunity to finish high school and attend college. Today, we’re taking that commitment one step further by expanding these programs and making sure that all young people, not just those who want to go to college, get the support they need to thrive. With the launch of Career Choice, we’re proud of the fact that we’ll be supporting our young people who are attending vocational and trade schools to pursue a range of meaningful and productive careers. All young people deserve our support and, when we deliver for them, they thrive and deliver for their communities.” 

 

“Ensuring our young people in foster care or the justice system have access to programs that brighten their future, provide skills and wages, and promote healthy relationships is critical,” said New York City Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Keith Howard. “We are grateful for our partnership with ACS and will continue to work with them and our community partners to provide these kinds of opportunities for New York City youth.” 

 

Today’s announcement works toward fulfilling commitments made in Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City address, supported by an investment of $163 million over five fiscal years to support five of its most successful programs — Fair Futures, College Choice, Career Choice, GirlsJustUs, and Assertive Community Engagement & Success — that engage at-risk youth and other young people; reach a total of 8,000 participants; and help connect more New York City youth with counseling, careers, college opportunities, and more. 

 

New York City leads the nation in providing support to youth in foster care. All young people in foster care, ages 11 to 26, have access to a dedicated coach through the Fair Futures program. Due to the courageous and effective advocacy of youth in care, the program began in 2019 and was later expanded by the Adams administration to include young people involved in the juvenile justice system. Through this program, youth receive tutoring and coaching services through collaboration with the Center for Fair Futures and ACS foster care provider agencies. In Fiscal Year 2024, coaches working in partnership with New York City Public Schools helped the majority of 9th grade youth in foster care to enroll in high schools with above average graduation rates. They also helped 116 high school-age youth who dropped out of high school successfully re-engage and re-enroll in a best-fit academic setting. This first-of-its-kind program currently serves more than 4,000 young people. Today’s announcement means that an additional 2,000 youth will be able to be served. 

 

In addition to Fair Futures, in 2022, the Adams administration launched College Choice. Through College Choice, young people in foster care attending a two-year or four-year college receive tuition and room and board assistance, as well as a daily stipend. The program had more than 400 students in the fall of 2024 — up from approximately 200 just two years ago. Approximately 66 percent of the youths coached in the ACS College Choice Program successfully completed the semester with a 2.0 + GPA, up from less than 50 percent before Fair Futures. With today’s announcement, the program will be expanded to serve over 500 students. 

 

The new Career Choice program will support youth in foster care who are enrolled in a formal trade school program or a job and training skills development program. As part of the Career Choice program, ACS is also doubling the capacity of its participation in DYCD’s Advance and Earn program. Youth who participate in Career Choice will receive a stipend and other support, such as coaching, financial assistance for school or program fees, and financial support for housing if needed. Overall, the Career Choice program will serve approximately 400 youth. 

 

Statement from Ed Cox after all NY Dems but one Vote Against Reopening Government

 

NYGOP Chair Ed Cox released the following statement after all but one Democrat from New York in Congress voted against reopening the government:

 

“While Americans are feeling the pain from Democrats' reckless government shutdown, nearly every New York Democrat in Congress chose to keep it going in order to appease their radical left base. Laura Gillen, Pat Ryan, Josh Riley, and John Mannion proved tonight that they lack the courage to put New Yorkers ahead of politics.

 

"All four stood with Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries and the extremists who would rather jeopardize airplane safety by not paying air traffic controllers and cut off SNAP benefits just before Thanksgiving than pay our troops and federal workers. New Yorkers will remember next November.”

Permits Filed for 3999 Carpenter Avenue in Wakefield, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a 12-story mixed-use building at 3999 Carpenter Avenue in Wakefield, The Bronx. Located at the intersection of East 226th Street and Carpenter Avenue, the corner lot is near the 225th Street subway station, served by the 2 and 5 trains. Steven Westreich of Westorchard Management is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 124-foot-tall development will yield 89,982 square feet, with 46,779 square feet designated for residential space and 43,203 square feet for commercial space. The building will have 99 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 472 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have 25 enclosed parking spaces.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet for the residential building on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

There go the private homes falling like dominos now.

BRONX MAN INDICTED FOR SERIES OF BRUTAL ATTACKS ON WOMEN

 

Defendant Allegedly Beat Woman with Metal Pipe, Attacked Mother in Front of Her Children, and Punched Teens 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been indicted for Attempted Murder, Assault and additional charges for violently attacking six females ages 15-60 years old in separate incidents. 

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly terrorized multiple Bronx neighborhoods. He allegedly attacked females at random, seriously injuring them. In one incident, a victim’s hands were shattered as she shielded her face from the onslaught of a metal pipe.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Jeremiah White, 23, of Randall Avenue was arraigned November 10, 2025, on Attempted Murder in the second degree, Attempted Assault in the first degree, first-degree Assault, three counts of second-degree Assault, two counts of Attempted Assault in the second degree, six counts of third-degree Assault, three counts of fourthdegree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, second-degree Attempted Robbery, third-degree Attempted Robbery, fourth-degree Criminal Mischief and Attempted Petit Larceny before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Kim Parker. The defendant was remanded. He is due back in court on January 7, 2026.

According to the investigation, on October 15, 2025, at approximately 5:00 a.m., near 69 West Tremont Avenue, the defendant allegedly walked up to a 60-year-old woman and punched her in the face. White allegedly picked up a bag and threw its contents at the victim.

About 20 minutes later, near West 176th Street and University Avenue, the defendant allegedly approached a 45-year-old woman and punched her in the face, knocking her to the ground and then repeatedly punched her before beating her with a metal pipe. The victim’s bones in her hand shattered as she used them to cover her face. The woman underwent surgery for her injuries.

At approximately 7:25 a.m., in the vicinity of 1425 Louis Nine Boulevard, the defendant was allegedly seen hitting cars with a metal pipe. He allegedly approached a 15-year-old girl and hit her in the back of the head with the pipe that she required staples to close the wound.

Two hours later, at 10:35 a.m., outside of 1372 Franklin Avenue, the defendant allegedly approached a 54-year-old woman and hit her in the face. White was arrested for these incidents on October 15, 2025, while on supervised release for two previous crimes included in this indictment. 

On October 7, 2025, at approximately 10:35 a.m., near the Grand Concourse and East 149th Street, the defendant allegedly punched a 33-year-old mother who was standing with her children. On September 12, 2025, at about 4:40 p.m., at the intersection of Southern Boulevard and East 174th Street, aboard a moving Number 2 train, White allegedly punched a 17-year-old teen in the face. 

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Christopher Madden of the 46 Precinct for his work on the investigation.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt. 

GrowNYC - We’re still serving New Yorkers and farmers

 

The past week has been a whirlwind. The federal government’s fluctuating stance on the distribution of November SNAP benefits has thrown our New York neighbors into chaos and uncertainty.

The bottom line: Until SNAP is fully restored, the well-being of millions of New Yorkers and the livelihoods of the small farmers who feed our city remain in jeopardy.

Feed families with GrowNYC

Photo by Preston Keres, USDA

GrowNYC is taking action. Regardless of how or when the current SNAP disruptions are resolved, we remain committed to supporting New Yorkers in need and protecting the farmers that feed our city.

Over this past week: In partnership with the New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, we distributed $70,000 in Health Bucks, a market coupon that enables New Yorkers to purchase fresh produce directly from farmers.

• What they're saying: Our team spoke with many customers who had no balance on their EBT cards and were grateful for the opportunity to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for themselves and their families.

We continue to mobilize free fresh food distributions to our community partner organizations. We’ll be onboarding more community partners in the coming weeks to reach even more families, so stay tuned!

Take action with GrowNYC

Coming up: Food donation drives at select Greenmarkets are running through November 25—buy a bag for a neighbor in need while you’re doing your weekly shopping!

The bottom line: We cannot do this without you. Your gift of any size helps ensure that no New Yorker goes hungry and that farmers can continue feeding our communities.

A gift of just $10 will provide 5 meals worth of fresh fruits and vegetables for families in need.

• $50 will provide 25 meals

• $100 will provide 50 meals

• $1,000 will provide 500 meals

Food access resources in NYC

As of now, many New York families are still waiting to receive their full November benefits. Getting food to our neighbors will require collective action from New Yorkers to step up to support.

If you can’t donate today, please consider the following actions:

•  Share hunger relief resources with your community members, friends and families:

  • Call 311 hotline for real-time assistance and referrals.

  • Visit ny.gov/foodassistance

  • Call the Hunger Free America hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273), for Spanish, from Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.

  • Findhelp.org

  • NYC Food Finder to locate food pantries and free meals.

  • Food Bank for NYC Food Map to locate food pantries and free meals.

  • FoodHelp NYC is a citywide database of food pantries and soup kitchens

  • The Food Pantries Food Connect Map

•  Fundraise and spread the word to your network and start a fundraiser in support of GrowNYC’s EOY appeal.

• Donate extra produce at select Greenmarket locations. Find your nearest participating market.

•  Volunteer with GrowNYC, we have opportunities for individuals and corporate groups to get involved.

•  Stay connected and follow us on social media @grownyc for GrowNYC specific updates.

•  Support regional agriculture and find the GrowNYC Greenmarket or Farmstand closest to you and support your local farmers.

•  Amplify and share this newsletter with your community to spread the word.

Thank you for standing with GrowNYC, local farmers, and the families who depend on nutrition benefits to put fresh food on the table!

DEC Announces Opening of Regular Firearms Season for Deer and Bear Hunting on Nov. 15

 

DEC Encourages Hunters to Test Deer Harvested in Southern Herkimer and Northern Otsego County for Chronic Wasting Disease

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced that the State's most popular big game hunting season begins on Saturday, Nov. 15 and continues through Dec. 7. DEC encourages all hunters to continue taking steps to remain safe while afield and taking precautions to prevent the introduction and spread of deer diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). 

“This November, hundreds of thousands of big game hunters will head afield to enjoy the outdoors and a chance to harvest deer or bear in New York's Southern Zone," said Commissioner Lefton. “As stewards of hunting traditions and New York’s deer population, all hunters should keep their conservation responsibilities as a top priority while enjoying time afield. Foremost among these responsibilities are following safe hunting practices and protecting the health of New York State’s deer population by harvesting antlerless deer and preventing the spread of deer diseases such as CWD.” 

DEC continues to monitor the region where an isolated detection of CWD in a captive deer facility in southern Herkimer County occurred in October 2024. Following the CWD detection last year, and with the cooperation of local landowners, hunters, taxidermists, and processors, DEC tested samples from 196 wild deer. CWD was not detected in any of the wild deer samples. These results are encouraging, but additional sampling is needed in 2025 and future years to ensure CWD is not present in wild deer or to find it quickly if any wild deer are infected.? After disease prevention, prompt and intense response to a CWD outbreak is critical to minimize disease impacts. 

Hunters Can Help Prevent the Introduction of CWD into Wild Deer 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is always fatal to deer. When introduced into wild deer, CWD can spread rapidly, is nearly impossible to eliminate, and threatens future deer populations and hunting opportunities. Hunters can help prevent the introduction of CWD into New York’s wild deer populations by taking the following precautions: 

1. If you harvest any type of deer, elk, moose, or caribou while hunting outside of New York, debone the venison before bringing it back into New York. DEC will confiscate and destroy illegally imported deer carcasses and parts. 
2. If you harvest a deer from an area outside of New York known to have CWD, submit samples to that state’s Department of Natural Resources for CWD testing before consuming the venison. If the test is positive for CWD, contact DEC for proper disposal of the venison. 
3. Avoid using deer urine-based lures or attractant scents, as these could contain CWD. Use synthetic products instead. 
4. Dispose of deer carcass waste in a landfill, not on the landscape. 
5. Hunt only wild deer and support fair chase hunting principles. 
6. Do not consume venison from deer that appeared sick or diseased. 

DEC is also requesting that successful deer hunters in the towns of Columbia, German Flatts, Litchfield, Warren, or Winfield in Herkimer County, and the town of Richfield in Otsego County submit the deer’s head for CWD testing at one of eight drop-off locations. Visit DEC’s website for drop-off instructions and locations. Taxidermists can sample deer you intend to have mounted. 

Continuing New York's Record of Safe Hunting 

DEC is encouraging all hunters to continue to take steps to remain safe while afield. Most hunting-related injuries occur when hunters are climbing in and out of a tree stand. Hunters should Strap Up Before You Go Up to stay connected from the time they leave the ground to the time they get back down, read the manufacturer's instructions and warnings before using a tree stand, check all stands (including straps and chains) before every season, and replace any worn or missing parts. Never climb in or out of a tree stand with a loaded firearm. 

Daily hunting hours for deer and bear include the full daylight period, beginning 30 minutes before sunrise and continuing until 30 minutes after sunset. These hunting hours ensure there is enough light for hunters to identify their target and what’s beyond, while maximizing opportunities to harvest deer and bear in the early morning and late afternoon when these species are most active. Hunters should check the sunrise and sunset times before hunting each day. 

Hunters must wear fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink clothing (either a hat, vest, or jacket which are visible in all directions) when pursuing deer or bear with a firearm, and should always follow the basic rules of firearm safety: 

1. Point your gun in a safe direction. 
2. Treat every gun as if it were loaded. 
3. Be sure of your target and beyond. 
4. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. 

Let Young Bucks Go and Watch Them Grow - Harvest a Doe 

As a result of its Let Young Bucks Go and Watch Them Grow campaign and hunters’ willingness to voluntarily pass up opportunities to harvest young bucks, DEC continues to document a steady decrease in the percentage of yearling bucks (1.5 years old) in the harvest, with the percentage of older bucks (at least 2.5 years old) continuing to increase. As a result, more older bucks are being harvested in New York than ever before. By harvesting does instead of young bucks, hunters help keep deer populations in balance with available habitat which allows deer to meet their nutritional requirements for body and antler growth and fawn production. Hunters can help manage New York's deer herd by continuing to let young bucks go and harvesting at least one doe this hunting season. 

 

Opportunities for Youth Hunters 

Again this year, 12- and 13-year-old hunters may hunt deer with a firearm during the regular firearms season when accompanied by a licensed, experienced adult mentor. This pilot program was established by the New York State Legislature in 2021 and extended through 2028 for upstate counties that choose to participate. Youth hunters are the safest group, with no hunting-related shooting incidents reported during the pilot program for 12- and 13-year-old big game hunters. This success is attributed to supervised hunting experiences and required hunter education courses. The program does not apply to Westchester or Suffolk counties; Erie and Rockland counties have not opted in to the program. 

Take It - Tag It - Report It 

All New York hunters who take a deer, bear, or turkey are required to report their harvest. New for 2025, paper tag users must now report within 48 hours of the harvest, reduced from the previous 7-day reporting window. Electronic tag users (see below) will fulfill their harvest reporting as part of the E-tagging process that is required immediately upon harvest. 

Hunters can choose to use either a paper license and tags or the HuntFishNY mobile app as electronic proof of licensure and possession of tags for deer, bear, or turkey. Users of electronic tags (e-tags) will be required to immediately report their harvest in the field with the mobile app. The app will allow reporting even in areas without cell service. Upon reporting, the app will provide hunters with a confirmation number proving that e-tagging is completed. E-tag users won’t need to attach a physical tag to their harvested deer, bear, or turkey while they remain in possession of the carcass, including in their vehicle and at their home. If e-tag users leave the carcass somewhere other than their home or vehicle, such as at a taxidermist or processor, they would need to affix a tag of their making to the carcass that includes the hunter’s name, 12-digit DEC identification number, and reporting confirmation number.

It’s never been easier for hunters to report their deer, bear, or turkey harvest using DEC’s HuntFishNY mobile app. Through the mobile app, hunters can access an electronic version of their hunting license and tags and report their harvests immediately using their mobile device. Hunters using paper tags can also report their harvest by calling (1-866-GAME-RPT) or through DEC's website within 48 hours. Reporting your harvest is required by law and provides critical data to inform DEC’s management of deer, bear, and turkey populations.  

 

Other Reminders for the 2025-26 Southern Zone Regular Hunting Season 

1. Choose non-lead ammunition for reduced risk of lead exposure to you and non-target wildlife 
2. Back tags no longer need to be worn by hunters anywhere in the state.  
3. For hunters using paper carcass tags, it is the hunter’s responsibility to protect their license and tags. The tags must still be filled out, dated, signed, and attached to the animal as required by regulation. DEC suggests storing licenses and tags in a waterproof bag or container while hunting and placing the completed carcass tag in a zip-top bag or other reusable waterproof protector and securely fastening it to the deer, bear, or turkey to ensure the tag remains protected and legible. 
4. For specific descriptions of regulations and open hunting areas, hunters should refer to the 2025-2026 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide (PDF). Hunters are urged to review all regulations and safety tips contained in the guide before going afield. 

Help Fight Hunger – Donate Your Deer! 

Hunters can donate venison to help those less fortunate while contributing to deer management. With the ongoing uncertainty over the potential loss of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance, DEC is encouraging hunters to help fight hunger in our communities at this critical time. 

Each year, DEC partners with Feeding New York State to facilitate the donation of 50-70,000 pounds of venison from deer harvested by hunters to those in need.  

To help join the fight against hunger by donating your deer harvest: 

1. Drop off any legally harvested, tagged, and reported deer at one of Feeding New York State’s participating deer processors (https://feedingnys.org/hunters/) 
2. Call the processor ahead of time to ensure they can accept your deer.  
3. Complete the processor’s log sheet indicating your desire to donate the deer.  

DEC and Feeding New York State will cover the processing costs for donated deer so that the venison can be distributed to food pantries and food banks throughout the state; however, funding is limited. If you don’t have a deer to donate but still want to help, consider making a financial donation to the venison donation program through Feeding New York State, by clicking the “Donations” link at the top of the DEC Automated Licensing System page, or when you purchase your next hunting license. 

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR WOUNDING 2-YEAR-OLD BOY WITH STRAY BULLET ON FORDHAM ROAD

 

Defendant Fired Five Shots on Saturday Afternoon Amid Throngs of Shoppers

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man was sentenced to seven years in prison for Attempted Murder in the second-degree for firing shots on a crowded street, striking a 2-year-old boy in the back as he walked with his mother. 

District Attorney Clark said, “This was cold-blooded gun violence that harmed a toddler the day before his third birthday and caused fear and shock to shoppers and pedestrians on busy Fordham Road on a Saturday afternoon. The defendant has been held accountable and now will spend years in prison.” 

District Attorney Clark said Freddy Flores, 20, of Walton Avenue, was sentenced today to seven years in prison and five years post-release supervision for Attempted Murder in the seconddegree by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Timothy Lewis. He pleaded guilty to that charge on September 17, 2025.

According to the investigation, on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at approximately 1:42 p.m., at Fordham Road near the Grand Concourse, the defendant fired five shots shot at an individual and one of the bullets struck a 2-year-old boy in his lower back as he was walking on the opposite sidewalk with his mother. He was treated at New York Health + Hospitals Jacobi and has recovered from his injuries.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Ryan Lawrence of the 52nd Precinct Detective Squad for his work on the case.