This Week's Resources
Dozens of migrant families booted from NYC shelter as 60-day notices come due (Gothamist)
Nearly 80% of New Yorkers back right to shelter, poll finds (Gothamist)
Why Democrats’ House hopes could rest on Hochul’s agenda (Politico)
New York City throwing away over $1M taxpayer-funded meals for migrants every month (Natural News)
Realtors donate over $85,000 to HV charities in 2023 (Mid Hudson News)
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."
Dozens of migrant families booted from NYC shelter as 60-day notices come due (Gothamist)
"Migrant families and their children began packing up and leaving their homeless shelter at the Row Hotel in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday morning, saying goodbye to the place they’ve called home since arriving in the city more than a year ago.
Dozens of parents were lined up outside the Row, one of the city’s emergency shelters for migrant families, around 6:30 a.m., waiting for school buses to take their children to school. Bundled up kids purchased chips and juice at a nearby newsstand as a police van was parked on the street. One family carrying bags and suitcases was seen jumping into an Uber.
Most families said they had received official 60-day notices to vacate the shelter by dates in January. Yajaira Abreu, who arrived from the Dominican Republic with her daughter last March, said she was moving to Boston to crash with a friend and that she had until Thursday to leave the hotel." Read more here
Nearly 80% of New Yorkers back right to shelter, poll finds (Gothamist)
"New York City residents overwhelmingly say they support the right-to-shelter mandate requiring the city to provide shelter to anyone in need, according to a new poll.
Of the roughly 1,000 adult residents surveyed recently by HarrisX, nearly 80% said they support the right to shelter. Half of the respondents said they “strongly support” the right to shelter, while 29% said they “somewhat support” the requirement.
The poll was commissioned by the New York Immigration Coalition and WIN, one of the largest shelter providers for families and children, which is headed by Christine Quinn, the former City Council Speaker." Read more here.
Why Democrats’ House hopes could rest on Hochul’s agenda (Politico)
"ALBANY, New York — New York progressives want to go bold in 2024. Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is positioning herself as a bulwark for moderates in the party.
When Hochul delivers her third State of the State address Tuesday, she will do so under enormous pressure to avoid damaging Democratic House candidates by tacking too far left and leaving them vulnerable to Republican attacks this fall.
In short, how Hochul balances her progressive flank and the electoral concerns of Democrats in tight races this year could reverberate up the ticket as her party seeks to reclaim control over Congress." Read more here.
New York City throwing away over $1M taxpayer-funded meals for migrants every month (Natural News)
"Company records have revealed that New York City is paying millions of dollars a month for meals that are meant to feed migrants. However, thousands of these meals are never eaten and thrown away, according to the internal company records reviewed by the New York Times (NYT).
The meals are provided by DocGo, a medical services company that won a no-bid, $432 million contract from NYC to provide broad migrant care, even though it doesn't have prior experience in doing so." Read more here.
Realtors donate over $85,000 to HV charities in 2023 (Mid Hudson News)
"WHITE PLAINS- The Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation (HGRF), the charitable arm of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, (HGAR) donated a total of $85,100 to 34 charities and non-profit organizations throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond in 2023. As it enters its 11th year of fundraising, the Foundation is gearing up for another successful year of providing financial assistance to those organizations dedicated to helping the needy in the New York metro area and elsewhere." 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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