This Week's Resources
Housing to take center stage in Albany in 2024 — again (Gothamist)
Migrant-filled buses from Texas arrive in New Jersey, skirting NYC’s new rules (Daily News)
Biden fast-tracks work authorization for migrants who cross legally (USA Today)
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
NYC migrant crisis: Where to volunteer and what to donate (Gothamist)
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.
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."
Housing to take center stage in Albany in 2024 — again (Gothamist)
"Last year was supposed to be the year Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York state lawmakers tackled the housing crisis.
This year, they’ll try again.
The state Legislature will kick off its 2024 session Wednesday at the Capitol in Albany, a six-month period when lawmakers will pass a critical state budget and hundreds of bills that Hochul, a Democrat, will decide whether to approve or veto.
But after Hochul and the Democrat-dominated Legislature failed to strike a deal on housing policy last year, much of the focus in 2024 will be on the growing crisis — and whether the sides can finally reach consensus at a time when rents are rising, mortgage rates are climbing after pandemic lows and the state’s housing stock isn’t keeping pace with demand." Read more here.
Migrant-filled buses from Texas arrive in New Jersey, skirting NYC’s new rules (Daily News)
"After New York City moved last week to slow the pace of asylum seeker-filled charter buses arriving from southern states, roughly a dozen buses carrying city-bound migrants have arrived in New Jersey since Saturday, according to officials.
The wave of buses west of New York City, which continued Monday morning, appears to represent a response by Republican-led Texas to an executive order implemented by Mayor Adams barring migrant buses from the city except during 210-minute windows on weekday mornings.
Over the weekend, about 10 migrant buses that originated in Texas and one bus that came from Louisiana arrived in New Jersey municipalities including Edison, Fanwood, Secaucus and Trenton, according to the government of Jersey City.
About 400 people arrived on those buses, said Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop."
What New York educators want in 2024 (Politico)
"ALBANY, New York — New York education advocates and leaders are heading into the new year feeling optimistic about consistent state aid, but they are hoping to see changes to the foundation aid formula, flexibility in zero-emission school bus mandates and a fully funded universal school meals program.
The State Education Department is asking for a 4.8 percent state aid increase, a majority of which it says would address inflation. The department’s request also seeks funding for additional staff and IT upgrades, along with $1 million for a study on potential long-term changes to the school funding formula."
Biden fast-tracks work authorization for migrants who cross legally (USA Today)
"EL PASO, Texas – The Hernández family from Cuba huddled together, bundled in winter coats, for a pre-dawn appointment to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
A perk awaited them on the U.S. side of the international bridge, if they were accepted: a fast-track to legal work authorization.
As Senate Republicans push for hardline border measures in negotiations with the White House, the Biden administration is quietly working to improve its signature "legal pathway" to solve a problem that has confounded Democrat-led cities receiving tens of thousands of migrants: getting fast work permits for those who cross lawfully." Read more here.
Interview With Natasha Pernicka, The Alliance for a Hunger Free New York and The Food Pantries for the Capital District (Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center)
"Natasha Pernicka is a co-founder and the executive director of The Alliance for a Hunger Free New York as well as the executive director of The Food Pantries for the Capital District and a member of the New York State Council on Hunger and Food Policy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector focusing on hunger relief, homelessness/housing, mental health, older adults, and youth development. Through The Food Pantries for the Capital District, Natasha also leads the New York State Food as Medicine Project.
She received a bachelor’s degree in political science, literature, and history from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University at Albany, SUNY." Read more here.
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.
Community Food Funders Newslink
Community Food Funders has opened up their newsletter to a wider audience (so not just food funders). "Each month, CFF compiles a newsletter with news, articles, reports, and events for those in our region interested in an equitable and sustainable food system." Highlights on this month's newsletter include:
2024 PLACES Cohort Application - The Funders Network (TFN) is pleased to accept applications for the 2024 cohort of its signature leadership program, PLACES (Professionals Learning About Community Equity and Sustainability). The PLACES Fellowship is a transformational leadership development experience designed for individuals working in philanthropy or those working within a grantmaking institution who are dedicated to supporting low-income communities and communities of colors, marginalized communities, and communities most impacted by systemic racism. PLACES applications and additional items must be submitted no later than Jan. 5, 2024.
Land In Black Hands Farm Equipment Grant - Land in Black Hands is a program of the Kingston Land Trust dedicated to amplifying the voices and addressing the needs of BIPOC individuals who have endured generations of land and sovereignty dispossession. The program recognizes that equitable redistribution of resources is essential to addressing environmental and social crises. Land in Black Hands aims to create a more sustainable future for all by engaging communities in land-based practices that foster environmental stewardship, promote community well-being, and enhance climate resilience. As funding remains available, awards will be made
Video: Addressing Food Insecurity in New York - Food insecurity is a growing crisis in New York, and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas is leading the charge with a proposed SNAP Bill to provide additional monthly benefit funds to households in need. This PBS episode of New York Now also features insights from Natasha Pernicka, executive director of The Food Pantries for the Capital District and The Alliance for a Hunger-Free NY.
I will continue to include highlights from each month's newsletter on our weekly resource round-ups but if you would like to subscribe yourself, the link is here. The link to last month's newsletter is here and their archive is here.
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That's all for this week -- thanks for all you do!
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