This Week's Resources
If you have resources to share with our network, please contact Tobi Mojeed-Balogun our Associate Director of Programs Support.
2024 Bulk Buy Application
We are thrilled to announce that we will begin accepting proposals for our 2024 Bulk Buy Program! Bulk Buy allows us to aggregate food purchasing across the Diocese and means free high-quality food for EC programs. This is a rolling application and the first round of granting will end April 15th. You can find our brief application form HERE! Please contact me (Tobi) with any questions or concerns.
Adult Migrants Limited to 30-Day Stay in ‘Right-to-Shelter’ Settlement (The City)
"New York City can restrict shelter stays for adult migrants to a single 30-day placement, with extensions granted only under “extenuating circumstances,” according to the terms of a settlement reached Friday between city officials and homeless rights advocates.
The agreement between City Hall and the Coalition for the Homeless — after five months of private negotiations — also gives the city broader latitude to deny shelter to adult “new arrivals” without children if they determine they have the means to stay elsewhere, as well as migrants whom the city deems haven’t made sufficient effort to find a place to live before their 30 days in shelter expire." Read more here.
'Separate but unequal system’: Some homeless advocates criticize changes to NYC's right to shelter (Gothamist)
"Locked in a private but high-stakes mediation, the city and the Legal Aid Society spent five months working on a legal compromise that would reshape one of the most unique and far-reaching homelessness policies in the country: the right-to-shelter rule, which obligates New York City to provide shelter to anyone in need.
For homeless advocates, the hallmark of any deal would be to preserve the 40-year-old court mandate, the foundation of how New York City deals with its homeless population that’s been applied over the years to men, women and families regardless of national origin. But Friday’s settlement agreement establishes new rules for migrant adults who have arrived in the U.S. since March 2022. Several advocates, including the earliest architect of the right to shelter, said that’s a troubling concession.
“It’s a very high price to pay,” said Robert Hayes, the lawyer who brought the 1981 case, known as Callahan v. Carey, that resulted in a consent decree that established the right to shelter." Read more here.
New York City schools chancellor says he’s ‘fighting like heck’ to undo cuts to pre-kindergarten (Politico)
"NEW YORK — In an unexpected announcement, New York City schools Chancellor David Banks on Monday revealed he’s “fighting like heck” to reverse cuts to the city’s preschool program — a sign political opposition to Mayor Eric Adams’ rollbacks is gaining ground.
Calling the administration’s own cuts “extremely hurtful to the entire enterprise of early childhood,” Banks told City Council members during a preliminary budget hearing that City Hall shares his view. “This is a major priority for us. I have personally been in deep conversation with the mayor and the mayor’s office around early childhood. … I am fighting like heck to make sure that those cuts are restored.”
The city Department of Education is awaiting a report expected in early April from consulting firm Accenture on how many seats should be in each neighborhood. But he expressed confidence that the city will have “really good news” in the coming weeks." Read more here.
NYC finally unlocks nearly $107M in federal migrant aid after months of paperwork delays (NY Daily News)
"President Biden’s administration has approved the release of nearly $107 million in migrant aid for New York City in response to Mayor Adams’ office finally submitting the required paperwork last week after months of application delays, local and federal officials told the Daily News on Thursday.
The aid — which has sat untouched since Congress first allocated it last summer — is at long last being authorized for disbursement to the city after the Adams administration provided the feds last Friday with required budgetary documentation as well as a waiver asking the feds to relax a cap on how much of the money can be used on hotel costs, White House and City Hall officials confirmed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which administers the program that includes the outstanding aid for the city, formally approved the waiver Friday afternoon, clearing the way for the city to receive the full pot of $106.8 million, White House officials said." Read more here.
Judge blocks Newburgh rent stabilization after landlord lawsuit (Times Union)
"NEWBURGH — A group of landlords is challenging Newburgh’s housing emergency declaration in state Supreme Court, alleging that the city did not properly conduct a vacancy study to demonstrate the lack of housing that allows it to opt into the state Emergency Tenant Protection Act.
In response, on Wednesday afternoon, Orange County Supreme Court Justice Sandra Sciortino blocked the city of Newburgh and the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal from enforcing the ETPA, pending a final court decision. A court date is set for April 5.
The landlords are represented by the nonprofit Hudson Valley Property Owners Association and two LLCs — New Jersey-based Chadwick Gardens and Delaware-based Nutopia 203 Grand, each of which owns one property in Newburgh. They jointly filed the lawsuit on Tuesday against the city of Newburgh, the Planning Department, Mayor Torrance Harvey, the City Council and the state Division of Homes and Community Renewal." Read more here.
Hochul wants to trim program that helps disabled. What does TikTok have to do with it? (lohud)
"YONKERS − New York’s Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Program, known as CDPAP, allows people with disabilities to find, hire and if needed, fire personal assistants.
People living with often complex disabilities say CDPAP, a Medicaid-funded program, offers dignity and independence. Consumers get to stay in their own homes and choose who helps them, and when.
Agencies can provide personal care assistants. Family and friends can also be enlisted as paid assistants, a point that critics eye with skepticism. But participants say the ability to hire family provides an important option; loved ones often have to quit their jobs to provide the level of care needed.
The program's costs have exploded as its popularity has grown.
With CDPAP now a $6 billion program, Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to rope in costs. The governor's proposed changes, outlined in recent amendments to the Democrat's 2025 state budget plan, could save some $100 million, her office has calculated." Read more here.
NYC schools will no longer require 5-day COVID quarantines, following CDC guidance (Chalkbeat)
"New York City schools will no longer require a five-day quarantine for those who test positive for COVID, according to new guidance issued to principals and posted online Monday.
Educators across the five boroughs have been eagerly awaiting an update for more than two weeks, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended its pandemic-era guidance that urged individuals who tested positive for COVID to isolate for at least five days." Read more here.
Chicago to Begin Evicting Illegal Immigrants from Shelters as New 60-Day Limit Takes Effect (National Review)
"Chicago will evict some 5,600 illegal immigrants from city shelters in waves beginning on Sunday, as Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new rule limiting migrant shelter stays to 60 days takes effect.
Thirty-four illegal immigrants will be evicted on Saturday as the policy finally kicks in, after having been delayed on multiple occasions since November because of cold weather.
While exemptions will be made for illegal immigrants who have medical conditions, are in the process of securing housing, are experiencing domestic violence, or are pregnant, others who have overstayed the 60-day limit will be evicted in the coming weeks and told to report back to the city’s “landing zone,” a temporary shelter where migrants stay on parked city buses, where they can reapply for a bed." Read more here.
Big Surprises as MacKenzie Scott Announces ‘Open Call’ Winners
"MacKenzie Scott has announced the winners of her open call for proposals — and there were some big surprises.
The competition, which was overseen by Lever for Change, had been described as an effort that would award $1 million each to 250 community-led organizations with budgets of $1 million to $5 million. Today, however, the billionaire philanthropist announced 361 winners — 279 that received $2 million and another 82 that got $1 million" Read more here.
Congratulations to. our program partners, Rural Migrant Ministries and the GO Project, on winning this grant!
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.
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"
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!