Greeting from Assemblywoman, Latrice M. Walker of the 55th District
LET’SCELEBRATEBLACKHISTORY ALLYEARLONG
“You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” — Malcolm X?
ASSEMBLYWOMAN WALKER INVITES YOU TO THE MONTHLY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
Assemblywoman Walker invites you to the Monthly Advisory Board Meeting on Saturday, Nov. 15. It will be at 10 a.m. at the district office, 400 Rockaway Ave., 2nd Floor.
Some people may not believe it, but long COVID is a thing. Symptoms can last for months – or longer – after having COVID, including fatigue, depression, brain fog, frequent headaches, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and even losing the ability to taste food.
We’ll have a resident from the community and an expert from One Brooklyn Health at the meeting to discu
See you there!
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR: GIVE THANKS AND BE OF SERVICE
You must call the district office by Nov. 21 to reserve a turkey. 718-342-1256
Please call the office at 718-342-1256 to RSVP for the Thanksgiving Day event. You may also email Adrienne Williams at williamsa@nyassembly.gov. ?We would love to see you there!
IN NYC
ZOHRAN MAMDANI ELECTED MAYOR OF NYC AFTER HISTORIC VOTER TURNOUT;
DOMINATES AMONG YOUNGER VOTERS AND IN BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS, INCLUDING
BROWNSVILLE
Zohran Mamdani won a contentious battle for New York City mayor, earning just over 50 percent of the more than 2 million ballots cast – the highest total since 1969.
The Associated Press called the race just 35 minutes after the polls closed, projecting victory for 34-year-old Mamdani. His victory likely ended the political career of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was supported by deep-pocketed super PACS and endorsed by Mayor Eric Adams, President Trump and former Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
“My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty,” Mamdani told supporters at the Brooklyn Paramount, a music venue in Downtown Brooklyn, on election night.
The Queens assemblyman, who campaigned largely on the issue of affordability, will be the first Muslim and the first South Asian to run the city. The city’s 111th mayor was born in Uganda and ran as a democratic socialist.
The city’s Board of Elections reported Mamdani won with 50.4% of the vote. Cuomo had 41.6% followed by Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa with 7.1%.
Repeatedly dismissed by some critics as a “TikTok” candidate, because of his heavy use of social media during the campaign, Mamdani won 78% of voters ages 18-29, according to CBS exit polling. That compared to just 18% for Cuomo.
Exit polls showed Mamdani won the 30-44 age group 66% to 28% over Cuomo; voters ages 45-64 went with Cuomo over Mamdani 47% to 43%; and Cuomo won voters 65 and over by a margin of 55% to 36%.
The mayor-elect also performed well in predominantly Black neighborhoods in the city, improving his performance even from his primary results in June.
In Brownsville, which is about 71% percent Black, Mamdani won 57% of the vote – a margin of 18 percentage points over Cuomo, according to the THE CITY. Mamdani won just 22% of the votes in Brownsville in the primary.
The New York Times reported that Mamdani won Black precincts citywide by 26% over Cuomo.
Mamdani vowed during the campaign to deliver free child care, free buses and a rent freeze on rent-stabilized apartments.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who endorsed Mamdani, slammed the brakes on free buses when asked about the proposal.
“I cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways. But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course, we can,” Hochul told reporters at the recent Somos conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Cuomo, for his part, conceded the race at his watch party in Midtown, taking a not-so-subtle jab at Mamdani.
“We got up off the mat after the primary, and we made it a real race,” he said. “Almost half of New Yorkers did not vote to support a government agenda that makes promises that we know cannot be met.”
Mamdani followed later that night with this zinger:
“I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life. But let tonight be the final time I utter his name, as we turn the page on a politics that abandons the many and answers only to the few. New York, tonight, you have delivered a mandate for change.”
“Congratulations to my colleague, Zohran Kwame Mamdani [1], New York City’s Mayor-elect.
I look forward to working with the next administration as I will continue to advocate, agitate, legislate, and litigate on behalf of New Yorkers.
New York City turned out in record numbers in this election. I’m excited that tools such as early voting and no-fault absentee ballots continue to strengthen our democracy, but we have a long way to go to achieve equity for the most vulnerable communities.”
SO, HOW DID NEW YORKERS VOTE ON THE SIX BALLOT PROPOSALS?
While the race for New York City mayor grabbed most of the headlines, there were six proposals on the ballot – one statewide and the rest city measures.
Four citywide measures supporters say were intended to increase housing production by streamlining the city’s land use review process and to modernize city operations were each approved by more than 56% of voters.
Fifty-three percent of voters rejected a ballot proposal that would have moved elections for city offices to the same year as presidential elections. Supporters argued that the move would increase voter turnout, while opponents said the move would overshadow local races.
The lone statewide measure on the ballot was related to the authorization of new ski trails and other facilities to be built in the Adirondack forest preserve upstate for an Olympics sports complex. The measure would also require New York State to add 2,500 acres of protected forest to Adirondack Park. The proposal was narrowly approved.
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams railed against proposals 2, 3, and 4, saying that they way the were written failed “to inform voters that, if enacted, they would put a wide range of land use decisions in the hands of mayoral appointees. This would eliminate the council’s voting power, and would remove the ability of communities to negotiate investments and public benefits into their neighborhood through the council’s power,” CBS News reported.
Supporters of the proposals say the measures would allow for housing to be build faster without having to go through a review process that includes the borough president’s office, community board and City Council.
IN NATIONAL NEWS
President Trump signed a funding bill Wednesday night ending a 43-day government shutdown – the longest in the nation’s history.
Federal workers, including members of the military, went without paychecks, SNAP payments were delayed, and thousands of travelers were stranded at dozens of airports across the country.
The agreement was approved by the Senate on Monday, with eight Democrats breaking from their party to vote with Republicans. The House passed the measure 222-209 on Wednesday, mostly along party lines.
“This is no way to run a country,” Trump said before signing the bill, according to published reports, adding that there should never be another government shutdown.
About 1.4 million federal workers went without pay for six weeks. About half were forced to work even without getting paid. Hundreds of thousands of other workers were furloughed.
The furloughed workers were expected to have returned to work on Thursday – the day after the funding bill was signed. Workers were expected to receive backpay, but it’s not clear when that will happen.
The bill funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through September of next year.
About 42 million Americans – nearly 3 million in New York State – receive SNAP benefits.
IN AND AROUND THE DISTRICT…
THANK YOU, DETECTIVE GARY ALLEN, FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE TO MAKE OUR
COMMUNITY SAFER
Above: (1) Detective Gary Allen walks out of the 73rd Precinct stationhouse for the final time on Thursday, retiring after nearly 22 years of service with the NYPD. (2) Renée Trotman presents Detective Allen with a proclamation from Assemblywoman Latrice Walker._
Photos courtesy of the NYPD’s 73rd Precinct.
Please join Assemblywoman Latrice Walker in thanking Detective Gary Allen for his exemplary service to our community.
Allen was instrumental in fortifying the bridge between the NYPD’s 73rd Precinct and the residents of Brownsville and Ocean Hill. From toy giveaways and hoops to block parties and mentoring youth, Detective Allen has exemplified the essence of community policing.
Job well done. Thank you for everything, and good luck in your future endeavors.
BE A PART OF THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE
A MONUMENTAL LOSS FOR BROOKLYN; HON. BABATUNDE AKOWE TO BE REMEMBERED AT
SERVICES NEXT WEEK
Hon. Babatunde Akowe, Justice of the New York City Civil Court in Kings County’s 2nd Municipal District, distinguished himself through service and an unwavering commitment to fight for equality in underserved communities.
Assemblywoman Walkers extends prayers to his wife, Lauren, and daughters, Adia and Amara. Rest in power!
THE NEW YORK STATE BLACK LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE DEADLINE FOR FUNDING FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IS MONDAY!
THE NEW YORK STATE BLACK LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT APPLICATIONS FOR ITS 2026 FUNDING CYCLE ARE NOW OPEN. GRANTS WILL BE AWARDED FOR UP TO $500,000 TO ORGANIZATIONS SERVING NEW YORK STATE COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCING THE HIGHEST DISPARITIES IN HEALTH, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC INSECURITY AND JUSTICE.
Community-based organizations are the backbone of New York’s social and economic well-being. They are trusted anchors that provide culturally and linguistically responsive services, empower residents, and foster community resilience.
This initiative invests in their work to promote community engagement and support community-based initiatives including, but not limited to, workforce development, civic engagement, capacity building, educational initiatives and health services in underserved communities.
Funds may also be used for operational, administrative or other ancillary expenses in direct support of these activities.
Click HERE [2] for more information and to apply. Again, the deadline is Monday, Nov. 17, at 5 p.m.
GOV. KATHY HOCHUL NARROWING HER LIST FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PICK, INCLUDES BROOKLYN D.A. AND STATE LAWMAKER
Gov. Kathy Hochul is narrowing down her list of potential running mates for 2026 since her current No. 2, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, is challenging her in the primary.
Her list of potential candidates for lieutenant governor includes New York State Assemblyman Brian Cunningham, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and state Dormitory Authority President & CEO Robert Rodriguez, according to Gothamist, which cited four sources with knowledge of the search.
Two of the sources also told Gothamist that New York Secretary of State Walter Mosley is also under consideration.
A campaign spokesperson for Hochul declined comment when reached by a reporter for the news website.
Hochul met with Cunningham at the recent Somos conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, NY1 reported.
“If the governor offered me an opportunity to serve with her as her lieutenant governor, it is certainly something that I would accept,” Cunningham told Gothamist. “But ultimately, at the end of the day, it’s the governor’s decision to make.”
Cunningham, from Flatbush, represents New York State’s 43rd Assembly District. He is in the midst of his first full term in the Assembly.
Gonzalez has been the Brooklyn district attorney since 2016.
Rodriguez is a former member of the Assembly, representing Harlem before he was appointed secretary of state in 2021. Hochul moved him to the state Dormitory Authority last year. That agency finances public construction projects.
Mosley is also a Brooklyn Democrat. He succeeded Rodriguez as secretary of state.
Brooklyn Democratic Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn told Gothamist that selecting someone from New York City would be a wise choice strategically for Hochul.
“That’s where most of the votes come out of, especially Brooklyn,” she said. “It’s very strategic to consider someone from Brooklyn, and Brian Cunningham has name recognition, he works well with all different groups, all different ideologies, and he’s certainly an ally.”
THE APPLICATION PERIOD FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL HAS BEGUN IN NYC
Key Dates:
October 15, 2025: Middle School Application Opens
November 3, 2025: Mark Twain/District 21 Talent Test Registration
Closes
December 12, 2025: Middle School Application Closes
The Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) has launched an important new resource for New Yorkers: a live operator Tenant Helpline.
The Tenant Helpline is a one-of-a-kind tenant resource to inform New York City tenants about their rights and connect them to housing-related resources, including free legal services.
The new live call system, along with increased funding for the PEU’s Tenant Support Team, will be a critical resource for New York tenants who face potential eviction, landlord harassment, or unacceptable living conditions.
Per Office of the Attorney General protocol, you can submit a deed theft complaint using the NYS Attorney General’s Deed Theft Complaint Form located HERE:
Please make sure to use the NEXT button to continue through all the pages. It is important that when you hit the submit button (on the last page), that you receive a prompt that says you completed / or submission received / or etc. If there is an INTAKE number, you should write that down and save the number in their files.
The online complaint form is a user friendly way to submit a complaint but alternatively one can email the complaint to: deedtheft@ag.ny.gov. If someone is having problems with the online form, or they do not have internet capability or need further language or literacy access, they can always call the Help Line at (800) 771-7755.
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
MANAGE YOUR HEALTH ONLINE WITH MYCHART; IT’S ALL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: TRUSTS, WILLS, ESTATES, HEALTH LAW, BENEFITS ETC.
DO YOU NEED LEGAL IMMIGRATION SERVICES? CHECK THIS OUT!
JOBS, CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, INTERNSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
JOB PROGRAM FOR NEW YORKERS AGES 16 – 24
PREP FOR PREP APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW!
Prep for Prep identifies and develops the next generation of leaders by nurturing and empowering high-achieving New York City students in public, charter, and parochial schools to reach their full potential. Through our rigorous 14-month Prep for Prep and PREP 9 Preparatory Component enrichment programs, students gain the academic foundation, social skills, and emotional resilience needed to excel at top independent day and boarding schools.
Our comprehensive approach prepares students not only for success in private school but also for leadership in college, careers, and beyond. Families choose Prep for Prep because we provide more than access—we offer lifelong guidance, mentorship, and community to help students thrive.
History
Prep for Prep was established in 1978 with the objective of providing educational access and opportunity to New York City’s most promising students to enable them to become leaders in their communities and in the country’s major institutions.
Rooted in the founding values of Excellence, Integrity, Commitment, and Courage, Prep for Prep uses a comprehensive approach that supports students in accessing exceptional educational, leadership development and professional advancement opportunities.
Prep for Prep’s approach prepares students to thrive in independent schools, colleges and universities, and in their professions.
Eligibility Requirements
Prep for Prep’s application process seeks to identify students and families who would benefit most from our programming and support. The ideal applicant is a top student in 5th, 6th, or 7th grade who loves learning and is motivated to make the most of every opportunity.
To that end, applicants must:
score above the 90th percentile on statewide English Language Arts and Math exams,
average at least 90% or mostly 4s on at least the last year’s final report card,
demonstrate significant financial need to attend an independent school*,
exhibit strong character, leadership potential, and a desire to engage fully and proactively with the Prep Community and experience, and
be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
*Prep for Prep considers family income, overall financial status (including assets), and each family’s individual circumstances when making admissions decisions.
Apply HERE. Applications are due on January 21, 2026.
MORE INFO? THERE”S AN INFORMATION SESSION IN BROOKLYN ON NOV. 20TH
FREE TRAINING FOR CAREERS IN TECH
SCAN THE QR CODE ON THE FLYER ABOVE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TRAINING
The Career Pathways Training (CPT) program supports and empowers New Yorkers by providing accessible, high-quality training and educational opportunities at no cost. We’re committed to ensuring that all participants, regardless of background or financial circumstances, have the tools, knowledge and resources necessary to pursue fulfilling careers in healthcare.
Click HERE for the latest on job training and openings offered by the City of New York. Many of the entry level positions begin at an annual salary of more than $70,000 per year.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR A BETTER TOMORROW IS OFFERING JOB TRAINING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE A GED OR HS DIPLOMA
ARE YOU 18-24 YEARS OLD? GET CERTIFIED IN CONSTRUCTION OR HEALTHCARE
Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation and its Brownsville Hub Coop initiative are happy to help residents in the 11212 and 11233 zip codes with 1:1 resume assistance.
Brownsville Hub staff members Isaiah and Tara are available on Wednesdays from 12PM – 3PM to assist in the creation or updating of your resume!
If you already have a resume, please send a copy to our Program Assistant, Natalie Capers, at ncapers@cbedc.org.
This initiative is a partnership between the Brownsville Hub Cooperative, Central Brooklyn EDC, and Popular Bank. Questions can be directed to Tara Muhammad, the BHC Program Manager at tmuhammad@cbedc.org.
JOIN NEW YORK’S FINEST!
Registration for the Police Exam is OPEN NOW! For more information or to chat with a recruiter, please CLICK HERE, or call 212-RECRUIT.
When emergency repairs are needed, we call on our pre-qualified list of contractors to get the job done.When lead-based paint is found in a family’s home, or heat and hot water service has been interrupted, our Emergency Operations Division orders and monitors emergency repairs in response to these immediately hazardous conditions. We’re looking for contractors with experience in housing maintenance, repairs, and demolition to help keep New York City homes safe!
Greeting from Assemblywoman, Latrice M. Walker of the 55th District
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou, author and poet
Women’s History Month Spotlight: Mae Jemison
Mae Jemison orbited the Earth aboard the Endeavour with six other astronauts on Sept. 12, 1992, becoming the first Black woman in space. She was on the space shuttle for nearly eight days.
Jemison — her mother a schoolteacher and her father a maintenance worker — was fascinated by science at an early age. She was an excellent student in high school and went to Stanford University on a full scholarship at the age of 16.
She earned degrees in chemical engineering and African/African American studies. Then she earned a doctorate in medicine from Cornell University in 1981.
Jemison worked as a general practitioner in Los Angeles before becoming a medical officer with the Peace Corps in West Africa. Jemison worked on several medical research projects with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. She was part of a team who developed a vaccine for hepatitis B.
Upon returning to the United States, she applied to NASA to become an astronaut. She was one of 15 people accepted. About 2,000 people applied. Jemison completed her training as a mission specialist in 1988. She initially applied in 1985, but NASA had frozen astronaut training after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986.
Jemison flew her only space mission in 1992, between Sept. 12 and Sept. 20. The crew orbited the Earth 127 times, spending more than 190 hours in space. Among the items that she brought with her on the Endeavour was a poster from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She also brought a statue from West Africa and a photograph of Bessie Coleman, the first African American with an international pilot license.
She has dozens of honorary degrees and awards. Jemison, who lives in Houston, is the only real astronaut to appear in an episode of the television show Star Trek.
March 8 is International Women’s Day
Women’s History Month breakfast at the Antioch Baptist Church
I was the featured speaker at Antioch Baptist Church on Friday, a Women’s History Month breakfast hosted by the African American Clergy and Elected Officials (AACEO).
Here’s an excerpt from my prepared remarks:
God made me a woman. A special woman, a resilient example of finer womanhood. A Black woman who is fearless, dedicated to public service and committed to the elevation of her people. But, I am not special. I stand on the shoulders of women, elders among us who deserve their flowers. And I stand on the shoulders of powerful and dynamic women who came before me.
Sojourner Truth, for example, was an evangelist, an activist for women’s rights, an author and abolitionist. She was born into the cruel and inhumane system of slavery in Ulster County, New York, before she escaped to her freedom. The most famous speech attributed to Sojourner Truth was delivered at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in 1851. She used the rhetorical question, “Ain’t I A Woman?” to draw attention to the discrimination she faced as a Black woman. Some historians have disputed the exact text of the speech, but let me give you a little taste:
“That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain’t I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man – when I could get it – and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman? I have borne thirteen children and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain’t I a woman?”
She was a woman and she is my hero.
Standing with the Human Services Council of NY Women’s History Month breakfast at the Antioch Baptist Church
I was the featured speaker at Antioch Baptist Church on Friday, a Women’s History Month breakfast hosted by the African American Clergy and Elected Officials (AACEO).
An excerpt from my prepared remarks delivered in Albany on Wednesday:
“I am here today to demand fair pay for the human services workers who are under contract with the city or state. This segment of the workforce represents more than 80,000 employees. About 70% are women. About 55 percent of the workers in the nonprofit human services workforce are women of color. They earn between 20 and 35 percent less annually than their counterparts in the public and private sector. That’s plain unacceptable.
These are workers who show tremendous compassion for the most vulnerable among us. These are workers who provide critical services to homeless people and to those in the foster care system. They provide mental health services, assistance with job placement, and substance use counseling. They’re crisis intervention workers and court support workers. They are magicians who were on the frontlines during the peak of the pandemic.
Today, they’re asking for just pay. They’re asking for annual cost-of-living increases for human services contract workers. That’s fair. But that’s just a start. The city and state need to close the wage gap now. They’re asking for a living wage of at least $21 an hour. That’s fair. They just want an honest day’s pay for the critical work they do. They just want to take care of their own families after they take care of everyone else. That is fair. That is just.”
Snap Benefits Reverted to Pre-Pandemic Levels Last Week; Food Pantries Brace for Surge in Need
More than 1.5 million cash-strapped New Yorkers will find it even more difficult to put food on their tables after their SNAP benefits reverted to pre-pandemic levels beginning last week. The elimination of the additional pandemic benefits has sparked fears of an increase in food insecurity. The fear is real right here in Brownsville where more than 22,000 households and more than 38,000 individuals receive SNAP benefits.
Please find the following list of food banks/pantries available in and around Brownsville. Call to confirm their days and hours of operation.
Brownsville’s Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington Returns on April 8
Brownsville’s Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington will return to the ring on April 8. He’s still undefeated. Come, get these hands!
Rapper Notorious B.I.G. Passed Away
The greatest rapper of all time died on March 9th.
Christopher Wallace, better known as Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie, inspired a generation of rappers. He was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Clinton Hill/Bedford-Stuyvesant. He was shot to death in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997. Rest in Power.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
To schedule a free COVID-19 vaccine, bivalent booster, or flu shot appointment, visit vaccines.gov, text a ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233.
The New York State Seed Funding Grant Program was created to support the growth and success of small businesses in a recovering New York State economy.
To qualify for the program, applicants must provide evidence of their operational status and meet the eligibility requirements set by the state. Micro-businesses, small businesses, for-profit arts and cultural organizations, and independent arts contractors must submit documentation as prescribed by Empire State Development to demonstrate their qualification for the program as part of the application process.
Due to a limited amount of funding and the high volume of requests expected, business type, geography, and industry may factor into the ability to receive a grant.
BECOME AN EMPIRE STATE FELLOW; APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW
Applications for the 2023-2025 Empire State Fellows Class are now open.
The Empire State Fellows Program is designed to provide comprehensive leadership training to promising professionals who are aspiring to become policymakers in New York State. Participants in the program will be selected for the two-year term from September 2023 to September 2025, and will be offered an annual salary of $85,000, along with attractive benefits.
After the completion of the fellowship, Empire State Fellows will undergo a performance evaluation to determine which ones will be offered the chance to assume leadership roles in the New York State government.
The central focus of the Empire State Fellows Program is to involve participants in the workings of the New York State government. Under this program, the Governor’s Office will designate each Empire State Fellow to collaborate directly with a Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, or other top-level policymakers at a New York State agency or authority or within the Executive Chamber.
The central focus of the Empire State Fellows Program is to involve participants in the workings of the New York State government. Under this program, the Governor’s Office will designate each Empire State Fellow to collaborate directly with a Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, or other top-level policymakers at a New York State agency or authority or within the Executive Chamber.
The SEO Scholars program is a free, eight-year academic program that gets low-income public high school students to and through college – with a 90% college graduation rate.
SEO Scholars are committed to their personal growth, building successful futures, and creating a more equitable society for generations to come.
SEO (Seizing Every Opportunity) is looking for scholars who will contribute to the program with character, commitment, and grit, and can also grow academically and professionally. We accept applications from any New York City public high school ninth (9th) grade student with a minimum GPA of 70%. Annually, we have over 1,000 Scholars, representing more than 120 schools across all five boroughs.
Our results speak for themselves:
90% college graduation rate
100% of Scholars accepted into four-year colleges
More than half of our SEO Scholars Class of 2022 are attending schools ranked as top by a U.S. News and World Report
$5.9 Million in college scholarships and grants for the Class of 2022
The above image is a screenshot. Click HERE to view scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
Summer Internships!
Tuition Assistance
The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), a program that helps New York residents pay tuition for full-time enrollment at approved schools in New York State, has now been extended to part-time students as well. To be part-time, a student must take at least six credits per semester.For information on which schools are included in the program, eligibility guidelines, and to apply, CLICK HERE.
Waived Fees
As part of new investments in public education in the state’s budget, SUNY has waived application fees for every student at 500 high schools in New York.
Specifically, the schools selected were the ones with the highest percentage of students receiving free lunch.
Additionally, any student at any high school in the state who receives free lunch will also have their fees waived.
To see if your local school has had its application fees waived, click this LINK.
Childcare and Support Programs for Parents
CLICK HERE to locate childcare, after-school and support programs for parents.
Support Programs and Volunteer Services
Jobs and Career Opportunities
Reform Brooklyn Job Fair
When emergency repairs are needed, we call on our pre-qualified list of contractors to get the job done. When lead-based paint is found in a family’s home, or heat and hot water service have been interrupted, our Emergency Operations Division orders and monitors emergency repairs in response to these immediately hazardous conditions. We’re looking for contractors with experience in housing maintenance, repairs, and demolition to help keep New York City homes safe!
First, I hope you and your families have recovered from the terrible damage Hurricane Ida did across our region. New York City has opened service centers in all five boroughs to provide resources to New Yorkers affected by this emergency. The Brooklyn service center is located at PS 15 in Red Hook (71 Sullivan Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231) and is open daily from 8am to 8pm. For a list of other helpful resources, see the flyers in this newsletter or click here for a complete list compiled by the City.
On Thursday, September 9, we will observe the 50th anniversary of the Attica Prison uprising. Over the course of four days in 1971, 29 prisoners and ten prison employees were killed and nearly 90 others were wounded in the deadliest prison uprising in American history. Yet despite the high-profile nature of the events at Attica, not a single law enforcement official was indicted in connection with the massive number of injuries and deaths.
Earlier this year, I introduced legislation that would make it easier for scholars and the public to access grand jury records in cases of historical significance involving public officials like police officers and prison staff. While these records are typically kept sealed in perpetuity, my bill would offer courts clear guidance on whether and how to make such records available to the public. By reviewing how grand juries reached decisions in such cases, we can remove the shroud of secrecy over tragic episodes in our past, and commit ourselves to changing practices and laws in desperate need of reform.
History unfolds before us every day: from Daniel Prude and Breonna Taylor, to Eric Garner and Tamir Rice, we have seen far too often that a standard of absolute grand jury secrecy prevents us from applying the lessons of these painful incidents to our criminal justice system. I believe that, half a century after Attica, it is past time to confront our past and build a better, fairer future.Finally, this week marks another somber anniversary: 20 years since the attacks of September 11, 2001. Our city, nation and world have changed immeasurably since that painful day. Some wounds exposed on 9/11 have diminished with time, while some have reappeared; still others may never fully heal. I believe the best way to honor those we lost and those left behind is to continue our work of rebuilding, renewing and reimagining a better city and state for us all.
In solidarity,
Zellnor Y. Myrie
New York State Senator, 20th District
Emergency Rent Assistance Available Now
In April, my colleagues and I passed the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) into law as part of this year’s State Budget. This program provides relief to low- and moderate- income tenants, as well as landlords, facing hardships as a result of the pandemic. I am pleased to announce that the ERAP application portal is open!CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR ERAP ONLINE. You may also call the State’s assistance hotline at (844) 691-7368.
New York City has designated several organizations to provide assistance with the application process. For a list of community-based organizations that can help you apply for ERAP, click here.
You may be eligible for ERAP if you:
Fell behind in rent since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020; AND
Qualified for unemployment benefits or have lost income and/or have an increase in expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic; AND
Have a monthly gross (before tax) household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Households approved for ERAP may be eligible to receive up to 12 months of back rent, plus an additional three months depending on additional circumstances. You may also receive up to 12 months of certain past due utility bills. Landlords may also apply for relief through this program.
Applications will be reviewed on a first-come first-served basis. Funds are limited so all eligible households should apply as soon as possible regardless of whether they are in a priority group.
For complete information about eligibility and priority, documentation requirements and the application process, please visit the State’s ERAP site here.
Haiti Earthquake Relief
Our hearts go out to those affected by the devastation in Haiti. If you are considering a donation, we encourage you to support organizations on the ground in Haiti you with the capacity and track record for providing assistance and relief.
Ayiti Community Trust Foundation
www.ayiticommunitytrust.org
Fonkoze
www.fonkoze.org
Hope For Haiti
www.hopeforhaiti.com
Beraca Community Development Corporation (BCDC)
http://BcdcHaiti.orgHey PTAs: Earn Money For Your School!Help your community, raise money for your PA/PTA!
PAs/PTAs earn $100 for every person they refer who gets their vaccine at a City-run site, up to a total of $20,000. Learn more and apply at t nyc.gov/vaccinereferralbonus.¡Ayude a su comunidad, recaude dinero para su PA / PTA!
Las PA / PTA ganan $100 por cada persona que refieran y que reciba su vacuna en un sitio administrado por la Ciudad, hasta un total de $20,000. Obtenga más información y presente su solicitud en t nyc.gov/vaccinereferralbonus.?????????? PA/PTA ?????
PA/PTA ??????????????????????? 100 ??????? 20,000 ??????????? t nyc.gov/vaccinereferralbonus ???
CHILD TAX CREDIT: MAKE SURE YOU ARE ENROLLED
Thanks to new federal pandemic relief legislation, this week many families will start receiving $300 each month for each child 0-6 & $250 for each child 6-17
If you filed taxes in 2019 or 2020— you should receive these credits automatically.
If you didn’t file taxes— learn more and register using the button below.
COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout: The LatestAll New Yorkers age 12 and older are now eligible to receive the vaccine. Many sites are offering vaccines to anyone eligible without appointments.You can call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) to:
Schedule an appointment at certain sites.
Request free transportation to and from a vaccination appointment for city residents 65 and older, as well as for those with disabilities who have no other way to get to a vaccination site.
If you are 65 and older, or have a disability, you can schedule free transport by ambulette or taxi:
For ambulette service, call 516-812-9827.
For taxi service (including wheelchair accessible vehicles), call 646-349-0289.
If you are a minor under the age of 18, you must have your parent or guardian call to book the trip on your behalf.
The City is also providing in-home COVID-19 vaccinations to all NYC residents. Click here to fill out an interest form.
Visit the NYC Vaccine Finder to Locate Sites Near You
Announcements From Community Partners
SUNY For All: Free Skill-Building Courses
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused tremendous setbacks for New Yorkers everywhere. This is why I’m pleased to share information about SUNY For All– a free skill-building and college prep program that’s 100% online. It’s convenient and can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Whether you need English as a Second Language, career development or support to further your academic journey, this program can help you get there and move you forward.
It also sets you on a path to earn a higher education by automatically enrolling you into any of SUNY’s 30 Community Colleges, Empire State College or SUNY Canton on your own timetable. And you won’t do this alone! SUNY will provide success coaches to ensure you complete each stage successfully.
Take advantage of this free resource and sign up here to talk to someone who can help get you started today.
District 20 Bulletin Board
Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center (Armory): Interested in renting basketball courts and soccer fields, hosting a soccer tournament or learning to swim? A Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) is now available. Follow this link to learn more information on renting the sports facility and to request sports instruction for basketball, soccer and swimming.
BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY OPEN FOR EXPANDED SERVICES. Many BPL branches have re-opened for lobby service, which includes holds pickups, returns, library card services and printing, copying and scanning available at select branches. For the latest hours and locations that are open, click here.
FRESH FOOD BOXES IN BROWNSVILLE: Brownsville community members can now receive a weekly supply of cooking greens, salad greens, and popular herbs alongside a unique assortment of locally sourced seasonal fruit and vegetables and shelf-stable items from GrowNYC, Ace Endico, Bowery Farming and local partner Brooklyn Packers. Brownsville Fresh Food Box distributions take place every Saturday from 10:00am – 4:00pm at Collective Fare at the BCCC (located at 69 Belmont Ave). Each Fresh Food Box contains over $30 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables plus grocery basics that can feed 1-2 people for an entire week for just $7 when paying with SNAP/EBT or $10 with cash. Distributions will also feature on-site pre-screening support for SNAP registration from Hunger-Free America trained staff to help more residents easily access healthy food throughout their community. Customers can sign up in advance at bit.ly//brownsvillefoodbox, or can walk in during any distribution.
RE-ENTRY HOTLINE OPEN: The Community Service Society and Youth Represent have launched a Reentry Legal Hotline, linking New Yorkers to experienced legal staff who can help resolve conviction history-related employment, licensing, job clearance, work conditions, and other issues – through advice, brief service, administrative advocacy or litigation, depending on what is needed. They also advise on conviction history-related matters, represent eligible individuals in records-sealing applications, and assist in obtaining Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct. All services are provided free of charge. Please call (646) 759-8088.
Dear GI Bill® Student,
The practice of “rounding out” provides eligible GI Bill students in their last term with the option to take additional classes to bring their course load to full-time and receive a full-time monthly housing allowance. In accordance with the law, VA is only authorized to pay GI Bill benefits for classes that are part of an approved program of education and count toward completion of that approved program of education.
Beginning on Aug. 1, 2021, students can “round out” in their last term only if they are taking classes that are approved for their program of education. Classes approved for a program of education means those that can be used to satisfy the graduation requirements of the program as specified in the curriculum. Classes that have been previously completed cannot be used to round out the student’s course load.
To obtain full-time enrollment in their last term, they will be allowed to select from the other courses in that category.
To give an example, a student pursuing a degree in political science may have the choice to take two of four courses in government as a graduation requirement. If the student does not need a third or fourth government class for graduation but wants to round out, VA will allow the student to take those additional government courses because they are included in the student’s program of education. Chosen classes must be specified by name in the curriculum.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill has been fundamentally transformed into a lifetime learning benefit allowing for remaining entitlement to be used in the future to obtain a higher-level degree, train for a career change, stay abreast of changes within a vocational field, or obtain a related vocational certification or license.
We encourage students to work with their School Certifying Official to answer any questions they may have regarding Rounding Out and how they may use it during their last term. If you are aware of any GI Bill students who require assistance with their GI Bill benefits, please have them contact the Education Call Center at 888-442-4551 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday to speak with a representative.
Respectfully,
Education Service
Dear Community Partner:
Starting today, May 12, 2021, qualified New York City residents may be eligible to receive a temporary discount for current or new monthly internet service subscriptions.
This discount is available as part of the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), a $3.2 billion-dollar short-term emergency subsidy program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funds will be allocated to qualifying households on a first-come, first-serve basis for as long as funds last.
Eligible New York City residents can receive:
Monthly Benefit: a discount of up to $50/month for broadband service, equipment, and device rentals
One-time Device Discount: up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of $10 – $50), where available
Below is an eligibility overview:
Your income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, OR
Your household experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and your household income in 2020 was the same or less than $99,000 for single filers or $198,000 for joint filers, OR
You participate in any ONE of these government benefit programs:
Lifeline
Free and reduced-price school lunch or breakfast (2019-20 or 2020-21 school year)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Medicaid
Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Pell Grant (current award year)
Please help share this information with clients and stakeholders. Below are links to guides, brochures, and flyers (all can be downloaded as PDFs)
