Dear Friends,

I hope you are all finding ways to keep cool during this heat wave! Remember to stay hydrated and be sure to check on elderly neighbors and pets. To find a cooling center near you, visit the NYS Department of Health website. 

This week, I was pleased to share that one of my sponsored bills, related to preventing human trafficking, was signed into law and to highlight $350,000 in funding for Latino U College Access with my colleagues in the legislature. More information on those announcements is available below. 

Next week, my Youth Advisory Council will hold its second cleanup day in Yonkers. Also, the NYS Department of Labor will hold a Hudson Valley Regional Virtual Career Fair. More information about both of these events is available below.

My thoughts are with the family and friends of Rochester Police Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz who was killed in the line of duty on Thursday, and Officer Sino Seng as he recovers from his injuries.

As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please email me at smayer@nysenate.gov or call (914) 934-5250.

Warm regards,

Navigating the college application process can be difficult and intimidating. Since it was founded in 2012, Latino U College Access (LUCA) has empowered first-generation Latino youth on their path to college and graduation through individualized mentorship and culturally relevant, bilingual programming focused on preparing for college in high school, choosing and applying for college, and financing higher education. 

On Wednesday, I was thrilled to highlight $350,000 secured in the New York State Budget for LUCA with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assemblymembers Amy Paulin and Chris Burdick, and our colleagues in the legislature. The funding will be used to increase services in White Plains, Ossining, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown and Elmsford, and to expand services to Port Chester, New Rochelle, Peekskill, Bedford and Mount Kisco – making higher education more accessible to the students of our district and Westchester County!

Legislative Update:

Bill to Stop Human Trafficking Signed Into Law

On July 20, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of legislation to provide support and resources to protect victims of human trafficking in New York State, including a bill that I sponsored with Assemblymember Amy Paulin to require hotel, motel and other lodging facility employees to be trained on how to identify human trafficking. 

These employees can play a critical role in spotting and stopping human trafficking if they receive the proper training. Under this law, they will be trained on the nature of human trafficking, how human trafficking is defined by law, how to identify human trafficking victims, relief and recovery options for survivors, and social and legal services available to victims within their first 60 days of employment.

Call For Empire Award Nominations

I am currently seeking nominations for New York State Empire Awards. This award honors small businesses and nonprofit organizations that make outstanding contributions to the growth, prosperity and betterment of their community and New York State. 

Our district is fortunate to have many small businesses and nonprofits that enrich our lives and create connections in our community – whether they provide food, culture, a place to gather, or through direct assistance to people in need. To submit a nomination, visit bit.ly/SD37EmpireAward. Businesses and nonprofits must be located in Senate District 37 to be considered. The deadline to nominate is Friday, August 19.

I hope you’ll consider nominating a business or nonprofit that has made a difference in your life or your community!

Youth Advisory Council:

Please Join Us at Our Yonkers Cleanup Day

RSVP Requested

Hudson Valley Virtual Career Fair

Get your resume ready – the New York State Department of Labor is hosting a Hudson Valley Virtual Career Fair on Thursday, July 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jobseekers will have the opportunity to apply to jobs, speak one-on-one with recruiters, and attend live webinars.

A preview of the virtual career fair will open on Wednesday, July 27 at 9 a.m.

A list of participating businesses is available on the DOL website. 

Great meeting with the new director of the very busy Rye YMCA, Sabrina Murphy! Glad to see they have built back so strongly after Hurricane Ida.

Thank you to my dedicated constituent services staff and summer interns who met with Senate District 37 residents at Grinton I. Will Library on Wednesday!

I was proud to co-sponsor a Free Community Naloxone Training with

Senator Pete Harckham and Westchester County Legislator Erika Pierce.

The strong attendance spoke to the need for the presentation that will undoubtedly save lives in the future.

I had a great discussion with Bedford Town Supervisor Ellen Calves

and Assemblymember Chris Burdick (the former town supervisor)

about the capital needs of the community.

Meeting with the Harrison Public Library Director Galina Chernykh

and President of the Library Board of Trustees Shauna Long.