2021 Primary Election
Last Wednesday the NYC Board of Elections (BOE) released the 2021 primary election results with the first round of ranked choice voting tallies. While voting results won’t be official until mid-July, you can keep up with the tallies as each round of ranked choice voting is enacted. You can also explore how each electoral district voted on this map.
Our Civic Engagement Fellows have been hard at work over the past 3 months learning about oppression and liberation, about how to organize, and about campaign strategy development. Leading up to the 2021 primary election, the Fellows connected with 38,000 New York City residents, encouraging them to vote and let their voice be heard. The Fellows will continue to build momentum among Bronx residents as we approach the November general election!
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m., and you can find your poll site here!
Advocacy Corner
Last week Mayor Bill de Blasio approved the City’s 2022 budget. To learn more about the budget, click here.
Partner Corner
Children’s Aid Early Childhood Program Enrollment
From before they take their first steps to the day they walk into their kindergarten classroom, our littlest ones are ready to be healthy, lifelong learners. Children’s Aid Early Childhood programs nurture and serve more than 1,000 children (ages 0-5) and their families during the most critical stages of childhood development. Learn more about program offerings by watching this video, and submit your application here!
Returning July 14: Bronx Impact Call Center
My Bronx Impact is an online search and referral platform that will connect Bronx Residents to free and reduced-cost services. Call us and we'll navigate and make connections for you! The call line officially opens next Wednesday!
Need Help Finding Child Care?
Care Finder NYC is building a FREE platform where Family Child Care providers and families needing childcare can connect. The platform has launched in beta—families can search for childcare providers and licensed providers can claim their page and advertise current openings. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jaime-Jin Lewis at jaimejin@wiggleroomnow.com.
Resource Corner
New York State’s COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program
Are you a small business owner in the Bronx? The Southern Boulevard Merchant Association can help you apply for the NYS Small Business Relief Grant!
Qualifications:
Business must have started operating on or before March 1, 2019
Must be currently open and operating
Gross receipts of at least $25,000 in 2019
Gross receipts of $500,000 or less in 2020
Must have lost 25% or more of revenue between 2019 and 2020.
We can help you determine eligibility with your 2019 and 2020 tax returns! Contact the Southern Boulevard Merchant Association at 347-973-0945.
Emergency Broadband Benefit
The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. EBB will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
Who is Eligible?
A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:
Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
How Can Families Apply?
Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.
Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.
Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
New York State began accepting applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The program will provide up to 12 months of rent arrears and utility assistance as well as three months of future rent payments to low and moderate-income households at risk of housing instability. New York has $2.4 billion available for the program.
To qualify you must be:
A tenant whose primary residence is in New York State;
Part of a household that is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income ($85,950 for a family of three in New York City);
Part of a household that is at risk of housing instability or homelessness; AND
Part of a household that experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due to the pandemic; or where at least one household member qualifies for unemployment
Immigration status is not a factor. You do not need to have a lawful immigration status to qualify for this program. Apply at otda.ny.gov/erap. Flyers (in English and Spanish) to promote this program across the city can be accessed here.
Summer Rising
Summer Rising is New York City’s free summer plan for any child in grades K-12 who wants to participate. Programs will operate in hundreds of DOE buildings, giving students safe and supervised experiences in their neighborhood. Most students will be able to attend a program in their home building!
Summer Rising will be available throughout the City to every New York City student, including students with disabilities.
All programs will be run by local school leaders and trusted community-based organizations.
Summer Rising programs are full-day and in-person experiences.
All programs will create a bridge back to school in the fall and give parents peace of mind as they return to work.
The environment will be safe and supportive. Staff members are prepared to respond to children’s social and emotional needs.
Summer programs will offer academic support, arts, recreation, and social-emotional support.
Breakfast, lunch, and a snack will be served to each student.
Upcoming Events
Adapting to the Future of Work
JobsFirst NYC is hosting the 6th annual Adapting to the Future of Work: Surviving to the Future of Work! Join the conversation to explore, envision and reimagine solutions to elevate young adults. Advance registration is required. Register here.