Dear Neighbor, 

This week the City Council held preliminary budget hearings as we work to pass the next budget for Fiscal Year 2018. Deputy Mayors and Commissioners testified about their agencies’ needs, as well as their proposals to expand several programs and initiatives that will benefit small businesses and residents. Some updates include:

1) The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has been holding public outreach sessions to inform businesses and residents of the new Paid Sick Leave Law to ensure compliance.

2) According to the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS), the City doubled its M/WBE awards from 8 percent in Fiscal Year 2015 to 14 percent in 2016, and the City will reach its goal of awarding $3.1 billion to M/WBE's by the end of the Fiscal Year.

3) The Department of Veteran's Affairs has used the Workforce 1 Career Centers to serve 4,261 veterans and spouses, where 949 clients earned a job between January and September of 2016.

4) The Department of Design and Construction (DDC), which is responsible for implementing the flood mitigation program for Southeast Queens, has asked us to include in the budget funds for additional staff members to ensure these projects are completed in a timely manner. 

5) The Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) has expanded its programs so youth enrolled in Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) or School's Out New York City (SONYC)  After School Program are able to get the experience they need to learn new skills and gain future employment. This continues to be one of the most popular and productive programs the City implements and we continue to have more applicants than positions available. My colleagues and I were surprised, and disappointed, that given the success and popularity of these programs, the preliminary budget did not increase DYCD's budget. As negotiations continue, I will work with my colleagues in the Council to ensure that all youth have an opportunity to participate in these programs and gain real work experience.

Stay tuned to future e-newsletters, plus my Facebook and Twitter pages, for updates on the budget. 

Councilman I. Daneek Miller

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Remembering Borough President Helen Marshall

This Women's History Month we are mourning the passing of Borough President Helen M. Marshall. She epitomized what it means to be a public servant, dedicating her life to improving the quality of life for Queens residents, and her victories are still felt today in our schools, parks, and cultural institutions. With her leadership and dedication, the capital funding needed to improve these spaces was granted, allowing future generations of our borough to learn, play, and raise a family. As our first African American Borough President, Mrs. Marshall was a trailblazer. She was also one of the first elected officials to raise awareness of Queens' lack of transportation options. She also called for increasing the number of stops on the Long Island Rail Road, a goal many of us still advocate for today. While her days as an educator are long gone, she taught me and other leaders throughout the borough what it meant to serve, and we all continue to be thankful for it.

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Queens Unity Rally

We live in the most diverse county in the world.  Given the increased number of hate crimes and attacks taking place across the country in recent weeks, it was imperative that I attended Sunday’s Unity Rally hosted by Borough President Melinda Katz. 

We have all benefited from the contributions of immigrants. Whether it is by creating small businesses and jobs or leading our cultural institutions, they have enriched our lives.

That is why I will continue to work with my colleagues in government, advocates, and residents from across the City to protect our civil liberties and speak out against policies that promote hate.

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Future Artists at Southern Queens Park Association

It was great to visit the Southern Queens Park Association (SQPA) as they opened their 15th Annual Art Exhibition. This program has given local artists an opportunity to display their work to the public while giving inspiration to a new generation of artists. 

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Congratulating Teamsters Local 210 & New Members

After much negotiating and advocacy, Teamsters Local 210 have reached an agreement with Sims Municipal Recycling for their workers to form a union in their Brooklyn facility. This agreement proves we do not have to sacrifice service for bad labor practices and I was happy to join the Local as they celebrated this victory at their headquarters.   

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Community Spotlight

The Committee for Early Childhood Development (CECD) Head Start, headed by Executive Director Dr. Majisoa Bafunso, has been a staple within the Jamaica area for 50 years.  Their mission is to “unite families, staff and community organizations in order to support the growth and development of preschool children which will lead to high quality education, parent involvement and strong community linkages.

They provide families with a creative curriculum where active learning is the key ingredient. The program structure is focused on education, physical and mental health, disabilities, nutrition, family services/ parent involvement.  The CECD is geared towards the advancement of the community it serves through its youth and with three locations to satisfy the need for quality preschool education, they are wholly prepared to be a commanding lead for the next generation of bright minds.

You may learn more about their programming by calling 718-264-6572 or by visiting www.cecdhs.org. We are proud to have them as a community partner and are grateful for the work they do and will continue to do in the future.

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Participatory Budgeting Is Almost Here!

Participatory Budgeting is grassroots democracy at its best. You proposed the ideas, you’ve developed your projects, and now YOU vote on where your money is spent in our neighborhood!

Vote Week is quickly approaching, and this will be your only opportunity this year to vote on the projects you want in your community. The polling site calendar is below – please review it and plan to visit a local site between March 25 and April 2!

Need to stay up to date on PB voting locations and other announcements? Interested in volunteering during Vote Week?

• Call: 718-776-3700
• Email: cmodeste@council.nyc.gov
• Text: “PB27” to 212-676-8384

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Immigration Services

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Free Tax Preparation

If you earned $64,000 or less this past year, you are eligible for the Department of Consumer Affairs Free Tax Prep resources. There are more than 200 sites across the City with IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers help you claim deductions and credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and NYC Child Care Tax Credit (NYC CCTC). Some sites also let you drop off your paperwork so you can pick it up later. 

The one in Jamaica is the New York City Financial Empowerment Center at Catholic Charities Home Base on 161-10 Jamaica Avenue, fifth floor. It is open Monday through Friday 9:00am to 7:00pm. 

For More Information Click Here

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Owner - Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program

This program is for Senior Citizen tenants who qualify to have their rent frozen at their current level and be exempt from future rent increases. The program will pay for rent increases by applying credits to the landlord’s property tax bill. For more information you can download the SCRIE/DRIE Brochure for Tenants/Landlords. The deadline to apply or reapply for his Program is Wednesday March 15th. 

Click Here For More Information and To Apply

Lien Sale Notifications

Notices have gone out for the latest rounds of lien sales. If you received a letter, the deadline to either pay your bill or enter a payment agreement with the Department of Finance is Sunday, May 14th. 

There will be outreach sessions taking place before the deadline throughout the City. The one in Queens is on April 18th 2017 at the Queens Business Center on 144-06 94th Avenue, First Floor in Jamaica. For a list of where all the sessions will be taking place and for numbers to call for questions or to dispute your bill, click the link below or call our office.

Lien Sale Information

Property Tax Abatement Extension

The deadline to submit 2017/2018 Cooperative and Condominium Tax Benefit Renewals and Changes has been extended to March 31, 2017. Please note that the legal deadline is February 15 every year. For more information and to apply for the abatement, click the link below.

  Tax Abatement Information

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Love Your Local Small Business

NYC Love Your Local is a program created by the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) to help local businesses continue providing the jobs, goods, and services that make our neighborhoods vibrant. Business owners and lovers will share their favorite businesses to help create the NYC Love Your Local Map. 

Independent, non-franchise businesses across the five boroughs will be featured and shared with New Yorkers and visitors alike. Interested, eligible businesses will be considered for NYC Love Your Local grants and expert advice.

Click Here To Submit Your Favorite Small Business

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Employment Opportunities, Grants and Scholarships

Applications for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is now open! 

If you are between the ages of 14 and 24 and looking for valuable work experience while earning money this summer, complete the application by clicking the link below so you can apply for the many positions that will be available this summer.

All applications are due by Friday, March 17th.

Click Here To Apply

The Council for Airport Opportunity is recruiting for several positions including Flight Attendants,  Customer Service Agents, and Security Guards. 

For more information you can visit  their office in Jamaica located on 90-04 161st Street, Suite 201, between 9:30am to 1:30pm or call 718-523-7100. 

Also, remember to bring the following documents: 

• NY State Driver’s License/Learner’s Permit/NYS ID Card 
• Social Security Card (Not Laminated)
• US Citizens: Birth Certificate or US Passport
• Non-Citizens: Green Card or Work Authorization Card & Passport
• All applicants must complete a 10year history? employment/unemployment/volunteer/school

                                                   Council for Airport Opportunity Website

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) has exams scheduled for 2017 for several titles including Correction Officer, Emergency Medical Specialist Trainee, and Procurement Analyst. For a full list, dates of when the exams will be taking place, and how to sign up, click the link below. 

CLICK HERE TO FOR DCAS EXAM SCHEDULE

WorkForce1 also has several opportunities available, many of which are in Queens. Some of these positions are Laborer, Management Trainee, and Office Assistant. You can see all of them listed on their website and make an appointment with one of their job placement specialists.

CLICK HERE FOR WORKFORCE1 WEBSITE

The We Are All New York Fellowship's 2016-2017 Grant Making Committee is now accepting applications for a micro grant to address afforable housing.

The Grant Making Committee will award a grant(s) of at least $1,000 to an organization to address the issue of tenant displacement through education of tenant’s rights and other support services. 

For more information and to download the application, visit our site  or contact Sally Scheidlinger at scheidlingers@jcrcny.org or 212-983-4800 x122

Upcoming Events

Monday, March 20th , 2017

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