This Week's Resources
2024 NYC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Application Open [Due March 1st]
Sadie Nash Leadership Project Summer Institute Application Open [Due March 12th]
What Exactly Is a Sanctuary City and What Does That Mean for NYC? (The City)
Mayor Adams overhauls literacy for young kids while seeking early education cuts (Gothamist)
NY lawmakers propose bill aimed at Mayor Adams’ migrant shelter stay limits (NY Daily News)
NYC schools go remote on Tuesday for snow forecast (Chalkbeat)
It's tax season in NY: How to file your taxes for free and avoid being scammed (lohud.)
NYS COVID and MonkeyPox Updates (Plus Info about the Flu, RSV, and Norovirus)
Scams pretending to be immigration agencies: How to protect yourself (Documented)
Documented's Mental Health Resources for Immigrants in New York
Documented's Immigrant Resources and Job/Housing Discrimination Guides
If you have resources to share with our network, please contact Tobi Mojeed-Balogun our Associate Director of Programs Support.
2024 Youth Opportunity Grant Application
We are thrilled to announce that we will be opening the application for our Youth Opportunity Grant on February 23rd at 9 am.
I will be holding information sessions and walkthroughs at 10 am on Thursday, February 15th and Monday, February 19th. The Zoom link is here.
To learn about EC's grants (including BHN), see here. Please contact me (Tobi) for more information and if you have any other questions or concerns.
2024 NYC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Application Open [Due March 1st]
"Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation’s largest youth employment program, connecting NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experiences each summer."
The application is due March 1st. Must be a NYC resident. Apply or learn more here.
Sadie Nash Leadership Project Summer Institute Application Open [Due March 12th]
"Summer Institute is an award-winning 6-week summer program where participants explore their own leadership skills and build a strong community with other Nashers…because at Sadie Nash we believe that all young women and gender-expansive youth are leaders NOW!"
Only for "young women and gender-expansive youth who are enrolled in high school and live in New York City or Newark. There are no academic or skill criteria for admission." Apply or learn more here.
What Exactly Is a Sanctuary City and What Does That Mean for NYC? (The City)
"The January brawl between NYPD officers and migrants in Times Square that went viral has sparked a national firestorm over long-standing sanctuary city policies that restrict cooperation between federal authorities and local law enforcement.
Republicans seized on the attack to argue that sanctuary laws should be changed. Mayor Eric Adams asked the City Council to reexamine them, but the Council defended the protections, saying they have no bearing on the incident in hand.
But what does it even mean to be a “sanctuary city”?
Here’s a guide to the policies that together define the “sanctuary city” idea in New York City and how they impact immigrants, whether they’re wrapped up in criminal proceedings or not. " Read more here.
Mayor Adams overhauls literacy for young kids while seeking early education cuts (Gothamist)
"The Adams administration has introduced a new curriculum for the city’s youngest students that officials say will help them become much stronger readers – but early education providers and advocates worry the mayor’s proposed budget could undermine the effort.
The changes to the curriculum are part of the administration’s focus on overhauling literacy instruction in a school system where only half of elementary and middle school students reach proficiency.
“If we truly want children to be proficient readers by the third grade, we have to start at their earliest ages,” said Deputy Chancellor of Early Education Kara Ahmed. “They don’t get a do-over and we owe it to them to get it right.”
But starting in November, Mayor Eric Adams proposed cutting a total of $170 million from the early education budget in the coming fiscal year, saying there are more seats for the city’s free preschool programs than parents are using. Now, as the City Council is reviewing the mayor’s proposal as part of budget negotiations, advocates worry those cuts will ultimately result in less access to the new reading instruction." Read more here.
NY lawmakers propose bill aimed at Mayor Adams’ migrant shelter stay limits (NY Daily News)
"Two progressive New York lawmakers are taking aim at 30- and 60-day migrant shelter stay limits in the latest challenge to the Adams administration’s controversial policy.
Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz of Queens and Manhattan state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal proposed legislation intended to “outlaw the Adams administration’s cruel 30 and 60-day rules,” they announced in a release on Monday.
If approved, the bill would prevent municipalities and the state from placing limits on shelter stays and would bar them from giving shelter residents the boot unless under special circumstances.
“Kicking people out to the streets during the coldest time of year won’t help solve our housing crisis. and forcing asylum seekers out of shelters will do nothing to mitigate the migrant situation,” Hoylman-Sigal said in a statement." Read more here.
NYC schools go remote on Tuesday for snow forecast (Chalkbeat)
"New York City public schools will conduct classes remotely on Tuesday as a winter storm threatens to dump up to eight inches of snow on the five boroughs, Mayor Eric Adams said Monday morning.
Adult education and Young Adult Borough Centers will not operate on Tuesday. Many after-school programs operated by the Department of Youth and Community Development will run remotely, though an Education Department spokesperson said parents should reach out to their schools for more information." Read more here.
It's tax season in NY: How to file your taxes for free and avoid being scammed (lohud.)
"New Yorkers — tax filing season is here.
Though this time of year may bring stress and uncertainty for many, there's some good news — New York was recently added to the IRS' Direct File pilot program, which makes it easier for some residents to file both federal and state taxes for free.
Qualifying New Yorkers have three free e-filing options for their state income tax return this year.
Here's how to file your taxes for free in New York and some best tax filing practices to follow along the way." Read more here.
TD Charitable Foundation - Housing for Everyone Competition
"The theme for the 18th annual Housing for Everyone competition is affordable housing with services to support independent living for marginalized community members.
The impacts of homelessness are not equal across many populations. There are conditions that make it difficult for people to maintain a stable home without additional help. To address this issue, we'll fund a select group of organizations focused on housing solutions that lead to stable, independent living situations."
New York Common Pantry Personal Care and Hygiene Wishlist
Here's a message from our friends at NY Common Pantry:
"Dear Friends of NY Common Pantry,
As you may have read, a building in the Bronx collapsed [December 11th]. NYCP was asked by the Bronx Borough President's office to provide hygiene kits for the residents that were displaced by this event. While we could answer the need, it meant that all our supplies have been depleted and we need these kits for our participants who come daily. While we should manage through the holiday - we will need these in the new year.The kits consist of a mix of toothpaste, shampoo, shaving kits, toothbrush, soap and chapstick etc. They can be made into kits or items can be collected and donated to NYCP where kits can be made. It might be a perfect January event after the holidays if your schools could help us out with a much needed collection. If your students will travel or parents travel for work, those hotel size toiletries are perfectly fine.This is the link on Amazon to make it even easier to see what is needed and how easy it is to create the kits at home or at work - https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1DM1TOXUVSRL7?ref_=wl_share."
NYS COVID and MonkeyPox Updates (Plus Info about the Flu, RSV, and Norovirus)
A lot of the news around mandates, vaccines and restrictions have been a little confusing so I will list some resources below that might help.
Interview with NYC Health Commissioner on COVID bump. Link here.
NYS Department of Health COVID website - It's a one stop shop with an info summary at the top. Link here.
NYC Department of Health Monkeypox Webpage - lots of information and resources about the virus with pictures of the rash included. Find the link here.
With Mpox at Risk of Flaring, Health Officials Advise, ‘Get Vaccinated’ - New York Times - Read here
COVID vs Flu vs RSV info - I found a good article from the Washington post that gives information about three viruses that have been spiking this winter. Read the article here.
The Time Magazine article on the new variant (XBB.1.5) - Link Here
US News and World Report article on newest variant (BA.2.86) - Link Here
COVID is back in NY. What to know about schools, nursing homes and more (lohud.) - link here
How to Keep Tabs on COVID Through Wastewater Testing in NYC (The City) - link here
Scams pretending to be immigration agencies: How to protect yourself (Documented)
"Fraudulent emails and messages have circulated social media, masquerading as communications from federal immigration agencies, that falsely promise migrants legal representation for obtaining a Green Card in exchange for a small fee. Scammers specifically target Spanish-speaking, migrant New Yorkers who are in the process of adjusting their immigration status.
Rosa Santana, the Bond Director at Envision Fund, contacted Documented regarding scam messages circulating on Facebook and WhatsApp. The emails also falsely claim that failure to respond to the correspondence could result in a “negative report in the migration system,” making individuals “prone to deportation.”
Scam messages that target migrants are nothing new, as Documented reported in the past during the Excluded Workers Fund. However, these new scams exploit the necessity of migrants as they seek asylum in the United States. Here are some of the common scams targeting migrants with immigration cases and how to avoid them." Read the rest of the guide here.
Safe Church Training
Safe Church is handled by the Diocesan Human Resources Department which can be reached at safechurchinfo@dioceseny.org. You can also call 917 414 0156.
For more information on Safe Church, visit https://dioceseny.org/administration/congregations/recruiting-and-employment/sexual-misconduct-awareness-2/safe-church/
Documented's Mental Health Resources for Immigrants in New York
"A list of organizations that provide free or low-cost mental health care services to immigrants in New York
It can be overwhelming to find mental health care services, so Documented compiled a list of organizations and groups that offer low cost options, accept Medicaid, or render free services to individuals who are seeking counseling.
Most of these locations provide services in English and Spanish. We recommend reaching out to the location for more information, as some of the prices for services given are based on the level of income. For emergencies always call 911.
You can also contact NYC Well for free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health, and substance misuse support, information, and referral. You can reach the toll-free helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, text and online chat. Mental health professionals there can link you to the services you need. Phone: 888-692-9355 | (Espanol): 888-692-9355"
NYC migrant crisis: Where to volunteer and what to donate (Gothamist)
"Mayor Eric Adams has repeatedly urged New Yorkers to volunteer or donate to help ease the asylum-seeker crisis, but figuring out where to go to help or what items to give can be difficult.
For information on how New Yorkers can help, Gothamist spoke with the mayor's office as well as several organizers involved in daily efforts to aid migrants who have recently arrived in the city." Read more here.
Documented's Immigrant Resources and Job/Housing Discrimination Guides
"Documented has gathered all of the resources we can find to help immigrant New Yorkers. New links will be added and the following pages will be constantly updated. If you would like us to add information to this list or have questions, please reach out to us at info@documentedny.com."
"The New York City Human Rights Law is one of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination laws in the country, prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on race, color, religion/creed, age, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, gender (including sexual harassment), gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, military service, marital status and partnership status. As a newsroom that serves immigrant communities, Documented has written a comprehensive guide for immigrants."
Hudson Link Employer Toolkit
Our friends at Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison put together an employer toolkit for hiring formerly incarcerated people. Thank you to Sean Pica, Eldredge Blalock, Elisabeth Santiago, and the rest of the team at Hudson Link for this important resource. The toolkit can be found here. If you have any questions about hiring formerly incarcerated people, please contact Elisabeth Santiago from Hudson Link's Alumni Services at esantiago@hudsonlink.org.
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That's all for this week -- thanks for all you do!
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