Dear Neighbor,

Thank you for joining us for another week in review.

We hope everyone had a fun and safe long weekend in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King's activism and ministry were instrumental during the Civil Rights Movement and his legacy continues to live on through all of us. Every day, I am reminded that we are working towards fulfilling his dream. Thank you to all who joined us yesterday for our Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration and Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church for their continued partnership. 

In the coming weeks, we will announce the date of our State of the Borough, which will outline our vision for 2023 and beyond, the re-launch of our Community Board application, upcoming community events, Bronx Week, and so much more.

Our office is also working in partnership with the American Red Cross to “sound the alarm” on fire safety in our borough. For a free smoke detector installation, you can call our office at (718) 590-3500 or visit soundthealarm.org/nyc.

January is also Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to participate in a Human Trafficking workshop hosted by Not on My Watch to learn how to identify possible warning signs and how to support survivors of trafficking. Click here, to learn more about Not on My Watch and all that they are doing to combat human trafficking and domestic violence in our city.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

Yesterday, we remembered and celebrated the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. Through his ministry and activism, he championed the rights of African Americans and people of color.

Thank you to Minister Michael Blake for being our keynote speaker during this beautiful service.

Thank you to our preacher of the hour, all the way from Houston, TX, Rev. Dr. T Grant-Malone for delivering a timely message on this day.

Lastly, thank you to Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church and Rev. Frederick Crawford for always welcoming us with open arms.

We were proud to declare Friday, January 13, 2023 as Sedonia B. Croom day in the Boogie Down Bronx! Sedonia is a native Bronxite who has operated Croom Boutique Salon and Spa for nearly 50 years at 1960 Crotona Avenue who had to shut down her business for the first time after a cancer scare. In mid-October she re-opened her doors and is now a cancer survivor.

It was an honor to meet such an incredible and powerful business owner and we are happy to hear that she will continue to care for the residents of our beloved borough. We salute you, Miss Croom.

Any recovery for our borough must include economic development and I am grateful to have incredible partners at Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and The Business Initiative Corporation of New York who are dedicated to supporting our small businesses and bringing revenue back to our communities. Thank you Gary Axelbank and BronxNet for having us on to share our vision for 2023.

ICYMI

Join the Team!

Become an NYC Parks lifeguard.

January lifeguard qualifying tests have been added for the summer 2023 season!

Make summer happen for NYC! Work outdoors in some of New York City's most iconic locations and become part of a team and meet people who share your interests.

The first step to becoming a lifeguard is to pass our qualifying test. Tests start Friday, December 2 and continue into January at sites across the city.

Register now for a test to enter our 16-week training program to be beach or pool-ready for next summer. If you successfully complete the training program, you may be offered a full-time job for the summer working at a beach or pool in one of the best cities in the world!

Registration for test slots is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

HOW TO JOIN

All potential lifeguards must pass the Lifeguard Qualifying Test, a vision and swim exam. To qualify, you must:

• Be at least 16 years of age by the start of employment.
• Have at least 20/30 vision in one eye and 20/40 in the other - without corrective lenses. Glasses and contact lenses may not be worn during the eye exam.
• Be able to swim 50 yards in 45 seconds or less, with proper form.

Sign up today at nyc.gov/parks/lifeguards.