Brownsville News
EducationEvents

Sat Nov 17th 50th Anniversary Event in Honor Of Ocean-Hill Brownsville Teacher’s Strike of 1968

Nov 17, 2018

A Community’s Fight for Education Equity 50 Years Later — How Long Do We Wait?

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN – The Ocean Hill-Brownsville Coalition of Young Professionals (CYP) will be hosting a 50th anniversary commemoration in honor of the Ocean-Hill Brownsville Teacher’s Strike of 1968. The event is slated to take place at the original breeding ground of a community’s fight for self-determination, I.S. 271, now known as the Eagle Academy for Young Men II located at 1137 Herkimer Street. The event is FREE.

A screening, panel and community discussions will focus on the different areas of educational disinvestment and how it has played a part in the current NYC education system. The discussion and presentation will center on Ocean Hill-Brownsville’s fight for education liberation as the Community Governing Board during 1967-1968. The goal for this event is to foster community healing by allowing the narratives of those who led the charge to be heard and start the conversation regarding an intergenerational call to action in the Ocean Hill-Brownsville community.

Confirmed guest speakers include Father Powis, a Priest and community activist;
Charles S. Isaacs, a lifelong Brownsville educator, Strike activist and renowned author;
Cathie Wright Lewis, a student during Strike, children’s book author, documentarian, lifelong educator; Karriema Jordan, a student of I.S. 271 during Strike, featured in “Eyes on the Prize”, academic historian and educator; and Rev. Herbert C. Oliver, a veteran civil rights leader and Chairman of Community Governing Board.

Tickets are available online through the groups events page. This FREE event is supported by  the Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement District, Made in Brownsville and the Brooklyn Movement Center.

For more updates on Brownsville Subscribe to BrownsvilleNews.org

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Politics

Councilman Rafael Espinal Seeking Public Advocate Seat

Nov 15, 2018

Councilman, Rafael Espinal, who represents East New York, Cypress Hills, Bushwick, City Line, and Ocean Hill Brownsville, is seeking to become the next Public Advocate for New York City.  The seat will be vacant after Tish James takes over as the next NY State Attorney General in January 2019.

According to an article in the NY Times, Mr. Espinal would focus his efforts, he said, on the city’s livability issues, like congestion and escalating rents. “One of the most important roles as a council member is to put legislation forward and to work to improve the city,” Mr. Espinal said. “The public advocacy is an extension of that, and it will allow me to do the work on a broader scale that will benefit all New Yorkers.”

Espinal will be running against Council members, Eric Ulrich and Jumaane Williams, as well as Assemblymen Daniel O’Donnell and Michael Blake.  Others who are looking to run are Nomiki Konst and Dawn Smalls.

Mayor de Blasio will call a special election, which many expect will take place in February 2019.

Stay tuned to EastNewYork.com for updates.

 

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Health

Who is Eligible for Medicare in New York City?

Nov 11, 2018

Courtesy HHS.gov

Generally, Medicare is available for people age 65 or older, younger people with disabilities and people with End Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant). Medicare has two parts, Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medicare Insurance). You are eligible for premium-free Part A if you are age 65 or older and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:

  • You are receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
  • You are eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad benefits but you have not yet filed for them.
  • You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

If you (or your spouse) did not pay Medicare taxes while you worked, and you are age 65 or older and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you may be able to buy Part A. If you are under age 65, you can get Part A without having to pay premiums if:

  • You have been entitled to Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months. (Note: If you have Lou Gehrig’s disease, your Medicare benefits begin the first month you get disability benefits.)
  • You are a kidney dialysis or kidney transplant patient.

While most people do not have to pay a premium for Part A, everyone must pay for Part B if they want it. This monthly premium is deducted from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement check. If you do not get any of these payments, Medicare sends you a bill for your Part B premium every 3 months.

If you have a specific question about Medicare you can contact New York for Seniors at 877-255-7027. We will connect you with one of our Medicare partners, to explain the process.

 

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Housing

East New York Basement Apartment Legalization One Step Closer With Upcoming City Council Hearing

Nov 10, 2018

For the past few years the De Blasio administration has been pushing for a plan to legalize basement apartments in Brooklyn, beginning with East New York.  The plan is now in the hands of the City Council, as they prepare for a November 13, 2018 hearing.

East New York will be the first neighborhood to test the plan, which will help landlords legalize their basement apartments.  The idea is that basement apartments will increase the housing inventory for New Yorkers, while bringing illegal basement apartments to code, in terms of safety.   New York City is prepared to provide assistance to the landlords in the form of low-cost loans, to be used to bring their basement apartments to code.

Stay tuned to EastNewYork.com for updates on the process.

Read more articles on NYC basemant apartment legalization:

East New York Basement Apt Conversion Program Deadline for Community Based Organizations

NYC Pilot Program to Make Basemant Apartments LEgal Ready To Begin in East New York

 

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Housing

121 Affordable Apartments Now Available in East New York Through Open Lottery

Nov 07, 2018

121 brand new apartments in East New York are becoming available, in the new Van Sinderen Plaza development, through the New York City Housing Connect program.

The apartments are spread out between two buildings, at 180 New Lots Ave., and 679 Van Sinderen Ave. (next to the L train). The available apartments are 1-3 bedrooms, with rents starting at $413 for a one bedroom and up to $1,281 for a 3 bedroom apartment.

Eligible residents for these affordable units should earn between $15,629 – $72,000 pe ryear.

Applications are being accepted until December 28, 2018.

Click here for the Application

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Health

Free Screening Mammograms for Residents of Brooklyn and Queens by Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology

Nov 05, 2018

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology is providing FREE screening mammograms for women in Queens and Brooklyn without health insurance. This program will be available until December 31, 2018. We want to ensure that all women have access to necessary health care.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Resident of Brooklyn or Queens
  • No health insurance
  • Make less than $40k/year
  • Have not had a mammogram within the last year
  • 40 years of age or older
  • Physician referral preferred

Call to setup an appointment 718.732.0222

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Health

Canarsie Adult Day Center November 2018 Calendar of Events

Nov 03, 2018

Monday Nov 5
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-10:45-How was your weekend?
11:00-11:45- Conversation Box
12:00-12:45- Tai Chi
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00- English Class 6

Tuesday Nov 6
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-10:45-Current Events
11:00-11:45- Health Class
12:00-12:45- Chair Exercise
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00- My Story

Wed Nov 7

Social Worker All Day
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-11:30- Conversation Box/Gift Basket Making
11:30-12:30-Manicures
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00-Bible Class

Thursday Nov 8
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-10:45-Hot Potato
11:00-11:45- What does a doctor do?
12:00-12:45- Yoga
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00- Bingo

Friday Nov 9 Social Worker All Day
DJ Tony

Monday Nov 12
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-10:45-How was your weekend?
11:00-11:45- Health Class
12:00-12:45- Chair Exercise
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00- Foods that look like the body

Tuesday Nov 13
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-10:45-Current Events
11:00-11:45- The names and their meanings
12:00-12:45- Yoga
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00- Bingo

Wed Nov 14 Social Worker All Day

World Diabetes Day – Q & A with a Medical Professional

Thursday Nov 15
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-10:45-Whats In Your Bag
11:00-11:45- Fruity Thursday
12:00-12:45- Tai Chi
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00- Find Someone Who:

Friday Nov 16 Social Worker All Day

DJ Kenny

Monday Nov 19
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-10:45-How was your weekend?
11:00-11:45- Gift Basket Making
12:00-12:45-Yoga
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00- Bingo

Tuesday Nov 20
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-10:45-Current Events
11:00-11:45- The colors of life
12:00-12:45- Tai Chi
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00- Inflatable Tic Tac Toe

Wed Nov 21 Social Worker All Day

DJ Tony
Thanksgiving Day Party/Turkey Giveaway

Thurday Nov 22  

Closed for Thanksgiving

Friday Nov 23 Social Worker All Day
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-10:45-Price is Right
11:00-11:45- Super Bingo
12:00-12:45- Chair Exercise
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00- Conversation Box

Monday Nov 26
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-10:45-How was your weekend
11:00-11:45- What do you see?
12:00-12:45- Tai Chi
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00- Sand Art: Velvet sand Patterns

Tuesday Nov 27
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-10:45-Current Events
11:00-11:45- English Class
12:00-12:45- Chair Exercise
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00- Sensory Coloring

Wed Nov 28 Social Worker All Day
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-11:30- White Tail Deer Painting
11:30-12:30-Manicures
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00-Bible Class

Thursday Nov 29
9:00-10:00- Meet & Greet / Hot Beverage Social
10:00-10:30- Breakfast
10:30-10:45-Price is Right
11:00-11:45- Bingo
12:00-12:45- Yoga
1:00-1:30- Lunch
1:30-2:00- Jewelry Class 30 DJ Tony

To participate in events Contact the Canarsie Adult Day Center –  (718) 513-0776

Visit the Canarsie Adult Day Center website.

 

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Health

‘New York for Seniors’ Announces Expanded Events Plan for 2019 Health and Wellness Series

Nov 01, 2018

New York for Seniors, a senior-focused initiative, which produces the New York for Seniors Wellness and Resource series of events, as well as co-producing the HealthyNYC Expo series, has announced their expansion plans for 2019.

“We feel really good about our initiatives that have proven to be successful thus far, and we want to expand the opportunities to help seniors in New York City to become more active”, stated Wayne Jordan, SVP of New York for Seniors. “Our NewYorkforSeniors.com website and social media channels have seen a 145% increase in engagement over the past year, which tells us that seniors and caregivers are following us online to find out about our events, and to become more educated about home care, health care, and other issues that impact their lives.”

With over 1.2 million seniors, over the age of 65, living in New York City, it is more important than ever to provide more activities through events, as well as providing information on digital platforms like nyforseniors.com. Over 70% of seniors are actively online, and that number is growing everyday.

“We are excited about the expansion of our events for 2019”, stated Vernon Jones, Sr, CEO of JIG Media, the founders of the New York for Seniors and HealthyNYC initiatives. “We receive calls everyday from seniors and caregivers, asking us when is our next event. We ae adding at least 10 events for 2019 because of the need.  Our events are not setup to sell seniors on anything.  We provide information and our partners are there to provide resources and to educate seniors and caregivers on health care options, home care options, and to answer questions about resources that are available to seniors and caregivers.  We also provide free refreshments, live entertainment, important workshops, games and giveaways. Most importantly this is an opportunity for seniors to stay engaged and active.  It’s a win-win all the way around.  Our partners are important, and their support shows that they truly care about the seniors.”

Some event partners at recent New York for Seniors and HealthyNYC events included Fidelis Care, Anthem, Tradition Home Care, Caring Professionals, Department of Aging, Spring Creek Senior Partners, Kings County Hospital, MetroPlus, and many more.

For 2019, the New York for Seniors team will produce multiple events in all boroughs of New York City, and they are looking at the possibility of launching events in Westchester, New Rochelle and Long Island. Events in Brownsville, East New York, Governor’s Island, and Bronx will remain on the list as well.

Aging-focused companies, agencies and non-profits are encouraged to contact New York for Seniors to partner with New York for Seniors for 2019, as a sponsor, vendor, or community partner.

To become an event partner, or for further information you can call New York for Seniors at 877-255-7017 or email [email protected]

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Health

New $30Mil Health Hub Now Open To Serve East New York and Brownsville

Nov 01, 2018

The East New York Integrated Health Hub is officially open, as a 40,000 square foot health and community center. This $30 million health hub is a partnership between Community Healthcare Network and Institute for Community Living (ICL).

The health hub is located at the corner of Atlantic and Georgia Avenues, on the border of East New York , Cypress Hills and Brownsville, perfectly situated to service all three communities.

“We’re in this together”, stated David Woodlock, CEO of ICL. “Whichever door anyone comes in through, they can get their physical health needs, mental health needs, or substance abuse health needs, taken care of.”

The center officially opens to the public, November 5, 2018.  Hours of operation are Mon-Fri, 8am-9pm. and Saturdays 9:30am-5:00pm.  You can call the center at 718-495-6700 for more information.

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DevelopmentEducation

New Lots School Playground Opens In Brooklyn As Part of Governor Cuomo’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative

Oct 27, 2018

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the opening of a new student-designed community playground on the New Lots School campus located along Hegeman Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn. The new playground features an athletic turf field, basketball courts, a kickball field, play equipment, game tables, an amphitheater, a garden area with boulder seating, shade trees and benches. The New Lots School campus community playground is the second playground in one month to be transformed under the second phase of the Governor’s Vital Brooklyn initiative announced earlier this year. By 2020, the Vital Brooklyn initiative will transform eight schoolyards into playgrounds, renovate 22 community gardens and improve four recreation centers in Central Brooklyn.

“Through the Vital Brooklyn initiative, we are expanding access to green space and outdoor recreation, putting the health and wellbeing of Brooklynites first,” Governor Cuomo said. “By using student input to build this playground, we are helping to ensure it will meet the needs of the community it serves for generations to come.”

The playground will serve the entire neighborhood, including the more than 330 pre-K through 5th grade New Lots School students who designed the play area.

The new student-designed community playground on the New Lots campus includes green infrastructure design elements that will reduce stormwater runoff that can flood streets and overwhelm sewer systems, allowing untreated water to end up in rivers and bays. These green infrastructure elements include a turf field designed to absorb stormwater, trees, pervious pavers, and other green infrastructure elements, which can capture up to an inch of rainwater during storm events, adding up to over one million gallons per year. The trees will also provide shade and improve air quality, making the city more resilient on hot summer days and promoting residents’ health.




Seven more Brooklyn schoolyards slated for transformation into playgrounds will be complete by 2020.

  • PS 581 The Winthrop Campus: 905 Winthrop St – Now Open
  • PS 145: 100 Noll St. – Opening Summer 2019
  • PS 156 – IS 392: 104 Sutter Avenue – Opening Summer 2019
  • MS 354 – KIPP Academy: 1224 Park Place – Opening Summer 2019
  • PS/MS 377: Alejandrina B De Gautier – 200 Woodbine St. – Opening Summer 2020
  • PS 152/315 Midwood HS: 725 E 23rd St. – Opening Summer 2020
  • PS 115 Daniel Mucatel School: 1500 East 92nd St. – Opening Summer 2020

Senator Roxanne Persaud said, “I am heartened to see a new student designed playground at the New Lots School. One of the many ways Vital Brooklyn is improving quality of life for residents is with new play spaces for young people, that take into account our responsibility for our impact on the environment.”

New Lots School Principal Stanley Moise said, “We are thrilled and excited to have a new playground for our students to enjoy and to share with the school community. From beginning to fruition, a special thank you to everyone involved in this project. On behalf of our PS 213 and the school community and our students, thank you, thank you”.

Governor Cuomo’s $1.4 billion Vital Brooklyn initiative seeks to transform the Central Brooklyn region by identifying and investing in eight integrated areas that will help to establish a national paradigm for addressing chronic disparities, such as systemic violence and entrenched poverty in high-need communities. The comprehensive plan targets increased access to open spaces and recreation which includes the opening of the new 407-acre state park named in honor of Shirley Chisholm, a Brooklyn-born trailblazer who was the first African American Congresswoman, as well as the first woman and African American to run for President. $10.6 million is also being provided to transform eight schoolyards into community playgrounds and open space, $3.1 million to transform nearly two dozen community gardens, and $1.8 million to enhance four recreation centers across Central Brooklyn.

Today’s opening is also part of The Trust for Public Land’s Playgrounds Program, which serves to create vibrant, educational, and fun playgrounds for New York City’s schoolchildren. All Trust for Public Land playgrounds include student participation in the design process, providing the students with hands-on learning of the science, math, and architecture that goes into designing playgrounds, while giving them an opportunity to voice their thoughts on what is needed in their school’s playground. Students at New Lots, as well as parents and neighbors, got the chance to contribute to the playground design process.

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