Dear Neighbor,
Today was a significant step forward in ensuring health equity for the Bronx with the opening of Yankee Stadium as a vaccination hub in the South Bronx. Our residents have some of the highest COVID-19 infections in the city and urgently need vital resources and services. The Yankee Stadium site will operate daily from 8 AM – 8 PM by appointment only for Bronx residents that meet New York’s 1a and 1b vaccine eligibility requirements. Our Black, Latinx, immigrant, and older Bronxites deserve fair access to the vaccine, and we will continue to work with city and state officials and community organizations to ensure they receive priority. Please call 1-833-SOMOSNY or schedule an appointment online at somosvaccinations.com.
This month also begins the Celebration of Black History Month, in which we recognize the important contributions of African-American pioneers, trailblazers, and history makers in our city and country. We lift up the names of Claudette Colvin, Rosa Parks, Daisy Bates, Charlotte E. Ray, Claude McKay, Harriet Tubman, Ruby Bridges, George Washington Carver, Madam C.J. Walker, Thurgood Marshall, Alvin Ailey, Ida B. Wells and so many others that have their legacies cemented in United States history.
Kamala Harris made herstory this year as the first African-American and Southeast Asian female elected to serve as Vice-President of the United States, inspiring current and future generations of young girls and women of color. Our community also came together on a national scale, with leaders like Stacey Abrams, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms and Latosha Brown and helped make history in Georgia with the election of Reverend Raphael Warnock.
We also recognize Dominican Heritage Month and the important contributions made by our Dominican-American leaders, servants, pioneers and trailblazers.
As we celebrate this special month, we must also remember that this is a time for reflection, as we re-commit ourselves to working together to move our communities forward towards our shared goals, values and vision.
If you need to reach us or have any questions, you can contact us at:
P: 718-588-7500
Click the links below to get District 16 updates on:
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The City Council announced last week it will introduce a legislative package of 11 bills and one resolution aimed at reforming the New York City Police Department, that will be considered at a series of hearings in February.
The City Council action comes despite months of delays from the de Blasio Administration to comply with the order. As the Council works to engage stakeholders and address the many issues raised by advocates and impacted communities, additional hearings and reform measures will be announced. One of the reforms includes a bill from Council Member Gibson in her role as Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Investigation.
Investigating police officers with a history of bias:
Sponsored by Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, this bill would allow a greater level of scrutiny of past activity by NYPD employees found to have exhibited bias, prejudice, intolerance or bigotry. The bill would require the City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) to investigate that employee’s work history to determine if it was influenced by bias or prejudice. The CCHR would then turn over its findings and recommendations to the NYPD for potential further action, including any discipline, as well as to District Attorneys. Also, in light of the recent findings by the Council’s Oversight and Investigations Division regarding the conduct of the now former commanding officer of the NYPD Equal Employment Opportunity Division, James Kobel, the bill would require the CCHR to review the cases handled by the NYPD’s EEO Division during his tenure. The bill will be heard in the Committee on Civil and Human Rights on February 8 at 1:00pm.
“A review of NYPD employees’ work history, including but not limited to any arrests and investigations they conducted, would impose greater accountability on those employees who have a track record of bias and prejudice,” said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson. “A person’s personal beliefs cannot and should not impact how they perform their job, especially when they have a duty to serve and protect all New Yorkers. This bill would create a mechanism to ensure that NYPD employees are fulfilling their duties without bias or prejudice.”
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While the new Biden Administration and Governor Cuomo continue to extend eviction moratoriums, many advocates and housing experts are concerned over the looming specter of a massive wave of evictions once the moratoriums expire. Current loopholes and confusing legal mandates have already and will continue to allow landlords to bring New Yorkers to housing court during the moratoriums.
Intro. 2050 sponsored by Council Members Gibson and Levine would simply amend Local Law 36 to require the City to immediately complete full implementation of the Right to Counsel law and provide representation for every eligible tenant.
A hearing was held for the bill in the General Welfare committee in Januray and we are gaining momentum and support for the bill.
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The COVID-19 Vaccine and Racism in Healthcare
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Council Member Gibson hosted a virtual dialogue on the COVID-19 vaccine and the history of racial bias and experimentation in communities of color with special guests City Medical Specialist at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dr. Julian Watkins, and Dr. Nichola Davis, Vice President And Chief Population Health Officer at Health and Hospitals with Moderator, Veronica Guity.
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NY State Repeals "Walking While Trans" Ban
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Council Member Gibson joined with advocates and elected officials to voice support for the repeal of the "Walking While Trans Ban" in New York State at a virtual press conference. The New York State Legislature passed and Governor Cuomo signed a bill on Wednesday that repeals this discriminatory law.
“The New York State Legislature made history yesterday by repealing the archaic “Walking While Trans” ban that unjustly targeted and punished Black, Latinx, and immigrant trans women in New York state. The Loitering for the Purpose of Prostitution law, also known as the “Walking While Trans” ban, resulted in widespread police profiling, unjust arrests, harassment, and violence. Transgender New Yorkers were penalized and further marginalized by our criminal justice system under this statute for merely expressing their gender identity.
We lift up the names of the trans women of color and community organizations that pushed for New York State to take action. None of this seemed possible a few months ago, but The Repeal the Walking While Trans Ban Coalition, GMHC, Make the Road NY, and so many others were relentless and steadfast in repealing this law. We must also thank Assembly Member Amy Paulin and Senator Brad Hoylman for their tireless advocacy in Albany for the LGBTQIA+ community that helped make yesterday’s vote possible.
If we are to prevent further violence against our TGNCNB community, we must continue to dismantle laws that reinforce and uphold transphobia, homophobia, racism, and other forms of oppression in our criminal justice system,” said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson.
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Virtual South Bronx Town Hall
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Council Member Gibson spoke at a virtual forum held by New York City Comptroller, Scott Stringer on COVID-19, civic engagement, health disparities, the digital divide and other issues impacting the South Bronx.
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Wellness & Mediation Event
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Council Member Gibson and staff joined the meditation event hosted by COPE yesterday to emphasize the importance of spiritual and emotional wellness during the pandemic.
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Distributing PPE in the Bronx
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Council Member Gibson helped distribute free PPE and resources in partnership with Catholic Charities and Bronx Terminal Market to Bronxites during this winter season.
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Council Member Gibson in the News
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Council Member Gibson on Yankee Stadium Vaccination Site
BRONX, N.Y. - The city's newest mass vaccination hub is officially up and running at Yankee Stadium. Council Member Gibson speaks about the importance of having this site in the borough and how we must continue to push for vaccination equity.
Read more
www.ny1.com
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COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ARE CAUTIOUS TO TAKE THE VACCINE
Council Member Gibson speaks to MetroFocus about ensuring communities of color have access to the COVID-19 vaccine in New York City.
Read more
www.thirteen.org
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Council Member Vanessa Gibson hosted a meal giveaway at Mount Hermon Baptist Church in partnership with the Urban Justice Center’s Street Vendor Project to combat food insecurity in the West Bronx.
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Council Member Gibson discusses the Black maternal mortality & and morbidity crisis and how the NYC Council Women`s Caucus is pushing legislation to combat this issue.
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Bronx Community Board 4 Clean-Up Effort
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Please see the message from Bronx Community Board 4 below:
As you know the City's budget has been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in severe reductions in agency budgets across the city. Nowhere is that more evident than with the NYC Department of Sanitation which saw cuts of $100 million in the last fiscal year. We want to partner with DSNY, roll up our sleeves and help keep our community stay clean and safe and underscore the importance of being stewards of our neighborhoods.
Help us choose the best locations to focus our time and resources. We will not only be scheduling cleanups in these locations; we want to make these engaging community events with an educational component, food, and games. Please take the time to complete this brief survey. Also please feel free to pass this along through your network of community residents. Thank you all in advance.
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Public Notice for the 170th Street 4 Train Station
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Indoor Dining and Marriage Receptions Update
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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that assuming New York State's COVID-19 infection rate stays on its current trajectory, indoor dining in New York City can reopen at 25 percent capacity on Valentine's Day. The reopening will be subject to strict state guidance, which can be found here.
- The Governor also announced that marriage receptions will be able to resume in accordance with state guidance on March 15. Events must be approved by the local health department. There will be a 50 percent capacity limit and no more than 150 people can attend the event. All patrons must be tested prior to the event.
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Fiscal Year 2022 Discretionary Funding Expense Application Filing Period
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Please be advised that all not-for-profit community-based organizations that wish to apply for discretionary funding for FY2022 must submit a Council Application. The FY2022 application will be posted on the Council’s website at this location on Monday, January 4, 2021 and the submission deadline will be on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.
Also, please note that if an application is not submitted within the filing period, the community-based organization will not be eligible for funding.
How the budget works
The Expense Budget covers the costs of running our city. It pays for the sanitation worker who picks up your garbage, and powers the lights at your local library. Funds are set aside to operate each city agency. This also includes the Debt Service, the City’s annual loan payment for long‑term Capital Projects for which the City borrows State & Federal money.
The Capital Budget covers larger long‑term investments in facilities & infrastructure, or Capital Projects. Examples include the construction of public schools, street maintenance, and parks improvements.
The Revenue Budget outlines money expected from taxes, State & Federal aid, and other sources of revenue. It determines the maximum amount in the Expense Budget, as the City is required to have a balanced budget.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Information
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COVID-19 Testing Information
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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NYC Unity Project surveyed hundreds of LGBTQ program and service providers across New York City to develop a resource page, which includes up-to-date information on LGBTQ resources still available during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click HERE for resources for the LGBTQ+ community.
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The NYC Council Women`s Caucus
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The Women’s Caucus of the New York City Council is a non-partisan alliance of woman-identified legislators, dedicated to advancing gender equity in New York City. Under the leadership of Co-Chairs, Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson and Council Member Farah Louis, the Women’s Caucus works to improve the everyday lives of women and transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people across the city.
Follow the Caucus on Social Media to get updates on these 13 marvelous women:
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Looking for a school for the 2021-2022 School Year? Girls Prep and Boys Prep are single-sex, tuition-free public charter schools serving grades PK - 8th. The journey to college completion starts by joining our community. Additional information is attached. Make sure you submit an application for our schools ahead of the lottery on April 1st - click here to get started.
Want to talk to someone about Girls Prep and Boys Prep? Call Yvonne Guillen at 646-413-9308 or email us at [email protected]. Hablamos espanol.
Girls Prep y Boys Prep son escuelas públicas Charter de un solo sexo y gratuitas que prestan servicios en los grados PK - 8. El viaje hacia la finalización universitaria comienza uniéndose a nuestra comunidad. Continúe hacia abajo para obtener información adicional
¿Quiere hablar con alguien sobre Girls Prep y Boys Prep? Llame a Yvonne Guillen al 646-413-9308 o envíenos un correo electrónico a [email protected].
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Hon. Vanessa L. Gibson
Council Member, 16th District, Bronx County
Deputy Leader
Chair, Committee on Oversight and Investigations
Co-Chair, NYC Women`s Caucus
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