Dear CRDC,

On Wednesday, September 16th, please join CRDC for a Conversation on Education and the Reopening of our School Buildings. We will be joined by four special guests; 

Ambur Nicosia- Community Activist

Josephine Ishmon- Manhattan Community Board 4; Education & Housing Committees 

Robin Broshi- Public School Parent. 

Briget Rein- Assistant to the Staff Director at the UFT & Candidate for City Council D39

This program will be hosted by CRDC President Mindy Rosier-Rayburn, who is also a Special Education Teacher & Executive Vice President Charles Bayor, who is a retired teacher. There will be a Q & A period, after our speakers. 

Find out more info on Facebook or join the Zoom Meeting HERE

Meeting ID: 879 4602 9281; Passcode: 364423; Call-in: 1 929 436 2866

New York for Biden+Harris: Biden 2020 Phone Bank with Erik Bottcher! (Virtual) We are calling swing states to recruit volunteers and Get Out the Vote (GOTV). This is how New Yorkers can really make a difference in this election--with outreach to priority states. Joe needs you! Kamala needs you! America needs you!

Sign up for this Virtual Phone Bank via Zoom here. The Zoom link will be sent to you the day of the event.

Every Friday from 5pm-5:30, CRDC joins Penn South in a weekly vigil for #BlackLivesMatter. We meet on 8th ave between 24th & 25th streets. We will be wearing masks. For more information, please contact Charles Bayor; bayor10001@gmail.com.

Photo By Erik Bottcher

Election Day 2020:  Know Your Options and Plan Ahead

We don’t need to tell you what’s at stake this November.  So much that is fundamental to who we are as a nation and to every citizen’s well-being is under clear and present threat.  It is absolutely essential that New York turn out big for Joe Biden to show that we will not stand for what Trump and the Republicans are trying to do to our country.

New York has made it easier than ever to cast your ballot – and protect your personal health.

Three Ways to Vote

1. In person on Election Day.  Cast your ballot on Tuesday, November 3 from 6 am to 9 pm.  You can find your polling place by visiting https://nyc.pollsitelocator.com/search.

2. In person during early voting.  New York’s early voting period runs from Saturday, October 24, 2020 – Sunday, November 1, 2020 at select sites at varying times. A list of early voting sites and times is available at https://nyc.pollsitelocator.com/search.  We have just been advised by the Board of Elections that Madison Square Garden will serve as the early voting site for much of our area, but please confirm before you go to vote.

3. Absentee.  Any person who wishes to vote by absentee ballot will be allowed to do so, but you must request an absentee ballot. You can request your absentee ballot by mail or online. Online applications are available at https://www.vote.nyc/page/absentee-voting.  If you opt to mail your request, it must be postmarked by October 27, 2020.  Check the box marked “temporary illness or physical disability” if you are requesting an absentee ballot because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The New York City Board of Elections will begin mailing absentee ballots on September 18, 2020.  In addition, we expect drop boxes to be available throughout the City and preliminary information suggests that you can drop off your completed ballot at early voting sites.  You can also request and submit your absentee ballot in person at the Board of Elections, 200 Varick Street.

Which Option is Best?

If you can, we urge you to vote in person, either on Election Day or during early voting.  The reason for this is straightforward:  votes cast in person will be reported with the Election Night totals, while absentee ballots will be tallied in the following weeks.

Plan Ahead

• If you need to vote absentee, get your request in early and mail back your completed ballot as soon as possible.  This will help avoid issues with mail delays.

• If you plan to vote during the early voting period, make sure you know your early voting site and its hours.

• Schedule a date and time for in-person voting on your calendar – and also pick one or two back-ups.  That way, you won’t forget or be derailed by last minute obligations or long lines.

Every vote counts – and we are counting on you.

We’ll provide further updates as Election Day approaches, and of course will do our best to answer any questions you might have. 

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Racism is a stain on our humanity, and good people must gather peacefully together to resist and repel it.  We must see and hear each other; and we must work together to rewrite the rules so that everyone, with no exceptions, can live without fear, care for their families, have their voices heard, and their rights respected.  

If you are looking for ways to participate and/or support, a number of organizations and resources are listed here.

"In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist.  We must be anti-racist."   - Angela Davis 

Love and solidarity, 

The CRDC Exec. Committee

Dear Friends,

The June 23rd New York Primary Election was an election like we have never experienced before! Nevertheless, out of the approximately 765,000 ballots requested, nearly 384,000 people voted by mail. With the final results in, we enthusiastically congratulate all of the following candidates! 

U.S. Congress

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12)

Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY-10) 

Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) 

Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez (NY-7) 

New York State Senate

26th District – Brian Kavanagh

27th District – Brad Hoylman

28th District – Liz Krueger

29th District – Jose Serrano

30th District – Brian A. Benjamin

31st District – Robert Jackson

New York State Assembly

65th District – Yuh-Line Niou

66th District – Deborah Glick

67th District – Linda Rosenthal

68th District – Robert Rodriguez

69th District – Daniel O’Donnell

70th District – Inez E. Dickens

71st District – Al Taylor

72nd District – Carmen De La Rosa

73rd District – Dan Quart

74th District – Harvey Epstein

75th District – Richard Gottfried

76th District – Rebecca A. Seawright

New York State Supreme Court - 1st Judicial District

Hon. Carol Sharpe

Hon. Ta-Tanisha James

Hon. Melissa Crane

Hon. David Cohen

NEW YORK COUNTY ZOOMED ITS WAY INTO ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL JUDICIAL YEAR! On August 10, 2020, the Manhattan Democratic Party conducted another historic event, its first Supreme Court Convention conducted on Zoom.  There were over 350 people who attended! Read more about this here written by our own District Leader Sylvia Di Pietro.

Watch the Convention: Tune in to the 2020 Democratic National Convention from August 17-20, happening from 9:00 to 11:00 PM ET every night! Check out the full schedule here!

Every Friday from 5 PM-5:30, CRDC joins Penn South in a weekly vigil for #BlackLivesMatter. We meet on 8th ave between 24th & 25th streets. We will be wearing masks. For more information, please contact Charles Bayor; bayor10001@gmail.com.

Photo By: Erik Bottcher

Racism is a stain on our humanity, and good people must gather peacefully together to resist and repel it.  We must see and hear each other; and we must work together to rewrite the rules so that everyone, with no exceptions, can live without fear, care for their families, have their voices heard, and their rights respected.  

If you are looking for ways to participate and/or support, a number of organizations and resources are listed here.

"In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist.  We must be anti-racist."  - Angela Davis 

Love and solidarity,

The CRDC Exec. Committee

Last week, Congressman John Lewis, one of the last surviving trailblazers of the civil rights movement, died at age 80.  At age 23, Lewis was the youngest person to address the great March on Washington in 1963.  Two years later, he was brutally beaten during the march for voting rights in Selma, Alabama, suffering a fractured skull.  At Lewis’ last appearance commemorating that event, he said, “We were beaten, we were tear-gassed. I thought I was going to die on this bridge.”  But Lewis did not die on that bridge and was eventually elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served with distinction for 30 years.  In the wake of the mass shooting at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub in 2016, Lewis led a sit-in on the floor of the House to force action on gun violence. 

Lewis kept fighting, constantly reminding young people, “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something, to say something.'"  As fierce and persistent an advocate as Lewis could be, he was also tremendously open-hearted and committed to the idea of non-violence.  In 2009, a reformed KKK member who had beaten Lewis four decades earlier came to ask for his forgiveness; it was given.  Lewis said of the incident, “It’s in keeping with the philosophy of nonviolence. That’s what the movement was always about, to have the capacity to forgive and move toward reconciliation.”

The Black Lives Matter movement reminds us that we still have a long march to reach that reconciliation.  Republican leaders in Washington and around the country are overlooking, winking at, or actively encouraging both hidden and overt acts of racism.  Why they are so committed to a world view that is immoral and unjust was perhaps described most succinctly by Lyndon B. Johnson:  "If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you."

John Lewis’ death, coming at this particular time in our history, underlines that working towards true racial equality is the single most important thing progressives can do.  Without that, all of our other efforts are doomed to fall short.  As long as the full measure of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is withheld from some of us, none of us can claim it.

In reflecting on his near-death experience in Selma in 1965, Lewis wrote, “We cannot give up now. We cannot give in.  We must keep the faith, keep our eyes on the prize.” 

-Steven Skyles-Mulligan

If you missed our Conversations on Black Lives Matter program last week, you can now view it here. Overall, this was an excellent program where many important conversations were had. Thank you once again to Charles Khan, Luana Green, Janella Hinds, and Eric Adams for all the work you have done and continue to do and for all that you shared with us. These conversations will continue.

The horrifying and senseless death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police has thrown the United States into a state of grief and turmoil.  Racism is a stain on our humanity, and good people must gather peacefully together to resist and repel it.  We must see and hear each other; and we must work together to rewrite the rules so that everyone, with no exceptions, can live without fear, care for their families, have their voices heard, and their rights respected.  

If you are looking for ways to participate and/or support, a number of organizations and resources are listed here.

"In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist.  We must be anti-racist."  - Angela Davis 

Love and solidarity,

The CRDC Board

Dear Friends,

Join CRDC for the Census Week of Action! From Monday, July 27 through Saturday, August 1, Census2020 has organized a week of action to remind New Yorkers to complete the census! There will be virtual and in-person activities on each day of the week from peer-to-peer texting, friends and family outreach, phonebanking, in-person visibility efforts, and more. To sign-up for any of these activities go here; 

CRDC will be hosting a Text Out the Vote, Text-A-Thon on Friday from 2-6. Join us for an hour or for all four! Please sign up using this link ahead of time. Then join us on Friday using this Zoom link at 2pm. We will be on to help assist with any texting issues or questions. You can also come on to simply socialize with all of us while texting. Additional Zoom information; Meeting ID: 854 6676 3012, Passcode: 468981, One tap mobile 1-929-436-2866 #468981

Feel free to also share this information along with our Facebook Event page with family and friends. Anyone can take part in any of these actions including our texting event. There's so much at stake! Let's do this!!! #CRDCGivesBack

Love and solidarity,

The CRDC Board

As we wrap up our first week in Phase 3, it's important that we continue to practice social distancing and wear our masks! 

There are plenty of great ways to stay involved & stay informed while continuing to #staysafe. Whether it’s joining a Zoom meeting, filling out your census, or reading some our helpful Resources, we hope that you find the information below helpful. 

Join us on Thursday at 7pm for Conversations on Black Lives Matter. This program is about educating our members and guests about what Black Lives Matter means, the recent impact on our criminal justice system and reform, our schools, moving forward, and what we can do as allies. Click on the Facebook link above or here for Zoom  Meeting ID: 822 2718 3880, Password: 892106, Call In: 1-929-436-2866 #892106. Guest Speakers include...

• Charles Khan - Organizing Director at the Stronger Economy For All Coalition 
• Luana Green - Community Activist in Penn South, Chelsea
• Janella Hinds - UFT Vice President of Academic High Schools 
• Eric Adams - Brooklyn Borough President

This past Saturday was the NY for Biden Unity Rally. As we gear up for the next few months before the Presidential Election, the strategy is clear - Protect states that Democrats won narrowly in 2016, Win Back states that Democrats won in 2008 or 2012 and lost in 2016, and Expand our coalition to include new battleground states that are now in play based on 2018 trends. If you're interested in volunteering or learning more, please email NewYorkforBiden@gmail.com. Here are several upcoming events from the Campaign Trail:

• Join the Women for Biden call this Thursday, July 16, 7:00, with special guest Stacey Abrams. https://www.mobilize.us/joebiden/event/283825/
• Wednesday, July 15, 6:00PM - Students of Color for Biden Phone Bank https://www.mobilize.us/joebiden/event/283321/ 
• Saturday, July 18, 1:00PM - Hell’s Kitchen Swing States Democrats Phone Bank https://www.mobilize.us/hkdems/event/284705/

Maloney for Congress is looking for volunteers to help out with Affidavit Review & Voter Watcher. To volunteer with Affidavit Review, fill out the form below.

1. Sign Up Form  

2. Affidavit Review Guide - This is the guide for the entire process.

The horrifying and senseless death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police has thrown the United States into a state of grief and turmoil.  Racism is a stain on our humanity, and good people must gather peacefully together to resist and repel it.  We must see and hear each other; and we must work together to rewrite the rules so that everyone, with no exceptions, can live without fear, care for their families, have their voices heard, and their rights respected.  

If you are looking for ways to participate and/or support, a number of organizations and resources are listed here.

"In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist.  We must be anti-racist."  - Angela Davis 

Love and solidarity,

The CRDC Board

Dear CRDC,

Dear CRDC,

Black lives matter: 

The horrifying and senseless death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police has thrown the United States into a state of grief and turmoil. CRDC stands with those around the city and country who have and will continue to call out systems of racism and oppression in our society. Black lives matter. 

Click here for our list of organizations and funds to donate to and petitions to sign demanding justice for George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. 

NYC primaries are right around the corner, absentee ballots have arrived, and early voting has just begun! That and much more in this week's newsletter. 

Join CRDC on Thursday, June 18th for our CRDC Virtual Pride Happy Hour with special guests, actor Anthony Rapp, President of Stonewall Democrats Brian Romero, Gays Against Guns Cathy Marino-Thomas and UFT Pride Committee Chairperson Rashad Brown. You can join us via our Facebook event link or by clicking here at 7pm. 

June 23 Election: All registered voters can vote by mail in June. Confirm your address and registration status here or by calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC. Request your ballot here. Click for more info on the elections. Early voting began on Sat, June 13th. Find your poll site.

Join CRDC and other political groups next Saturday, June 20th, at 11AM for a texting event for Congressman Jerry Nadler. You can join us on this Zoom link where we will walk you through the texting process, but if you want to see a walk-through in advance, click here.

Join the HK Dems, CRDC and other political groups for this Zoom text banking session for Congressman Nadler also on Saturday, June 20th from 1-3PM.  Sign up online and join us here on Zoom.

Postcards to Michigan: (Sat 6/20 1:00-3:00): Join us as we write postcards to voters in the critical battleground state of Michigan. Registration is limited, so sign up HERE!

Volunteer: Senator Brad Hoylman is looking for volunteers to help with his re-election. Sign up here.

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is looking for phone banking volunteers. Phone banking occurs everyday at 10:10 A.M., 1:00 P.M., 4:00 P.M., and 6:00 P.M., Email kendra@carolynmaloney.com for more details.

> You can click here to text for Jerry Nadler. 

> You can watch a ‘how-to-text’ video here. 

Stonewall Time Capsule Collecting; Tuesday, 6/2 - Tuesday, 6/30. Explore the exhibition Stonewall 50 at New-York Historical, then donate your photos and handwritten memories, stories, and thoughts on LGBTQ life in America. Email your donations to timecapsule@nyhistory.org, or mail them to: Kathleen O’Connor, New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West , New York NY 10024.

New York creates policing reforms. Read about all the new legislative bills that were all signed by Governor Cuomo here. Also, read his Executive Order,  New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.

The New York City Council, lead by Speaker Corey Johnson, has been taking decisive legislative action through several bills aimed at police accountability and discipline. To read more about this legislation and the Council's fight to get these reforms in the budget by the end of this month, click here.

This comedian is feeding thousands of frontline healthcare workers. Click here to read about Katie Finn and the work she is doing.

NYC will pay youth $1,200 to take online courses this summer. The NeON Summer program will support youth in neighborhoods hit hard by the virus. Read about it here. 

As part of the ongoing efforts to make sure everyone stays safe and protected, Corey Johnson’s office is distributing cloth and paper face masks to the community. Please contact his office at speakerjohnson@council.nyc.gov for details on mask distribution. 

Fill out your Census! There is one thing we can all do for New York while we are stuck indoors. Fill out the form you have received in the mail, do it online at https://my2020census.gov, or over the phone by calling 844-330-2020. 

Donations of Blood are needed!!! - find a location near you.

Black Lives Matter: consider donating to a bail fund or the ACLU or any of the organizations doing great work to ensure Black Lives Matter in America. Click here for our list of organizations to donate to.

The city might be a little less glittery than usual right now, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate, show solidarity, and support the local LGBTQ+ community and organizations. Read all about it here.

That's all from us! If you need any kind of assistance, please do not hesitate and reach out to us. We are #AloneTogether and we must continue to #StayHome and follow all safety precautions. #FocusOnThePositive

Love and solidarity,

The CRDC Board

Dear CRDC,

The horrifying and senseless death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police has thrown the United States into a state of grief and turmoil.  Racism is a stain on our humanity, and good people must gather peacefully together to resist and repel it.  We must see and hear each other; and we must work together to rewrite the rules so that everyone, with no exceptions, can live without fear, care for their families, have their voices heard, and their rights respected.  

If you are looking for ways to participate and/or support, a number of organizations and resources are listed here.

"In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist.  We must be anti-racist."     - Angela Davis

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Today, NYC will begin to open up, but what does that mean? Read about this and about other things going on locally and upcoming events, in this Newsletter. As always, whether it’s joining a Zoom meeting, filling out your census, or simply reading through our helpful resources, we hope the following will help occupy some of your time and help educate you on important local issues. Enjoy!!!

June 23 Election: All registered voters can vote by mail in June. You can confirm your address and registration status here or by calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692). Click here to request your ballot. Voters should check the box "Temporary Illness" as the reason for requesting an Absentee Ballot. For more information, check out this article. If you plan on voting in person, make sure you look up your poll site first. Most of our locations have changed. Early voting begins on Sat, June 13th. To find your poll site, go here. 

*If you live in CD-12, I (Mindy Rosier-Rayburn) am asking for your vote to be a Bernie Sanders delegate to the convention. It is understood that Joe Biden is the presumptive nominee and we (delegates) will ultimately vote for him in the general election. By electing us to the Democratic National Convention, it gives us a seat at the table to be a part of the process with the democratic party. The more votes for Bernie Sanders, the more of us delegates will be able to attend, that would be committed to protecting reforms like limiting superdelegates as well as advancing platform issues such as Medicare4All, the Green New Deal, and worker rights.

Hear from David Pepper, Head of the Ohio State Democratic Party, about "Project Battleground,” to flip two Ohio Supreme Court seats to gain the majority! Wednesday, 6/10, 1:30pm EST : (On Zoom) This year, Ohio Democrats have an opportunity to flip two seats on the State Supreme Court and secure the majority, which would all but guarantee the end of gerrymandering of the statehouse and congressional maps for 2022. As one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, Ohio Democrats won 47% of the vote at the congressional level in 2018 -- but were allotted only 4 seats (out of 16) under the current maps. Fair courts would lead to fair districts, resulting in as many as 3 new Democratic seats in Ohio, and far more competitive races across the board. In 2018, Ohio Democrats won both Supreme Court races on the ballot and are well positioned to repeat these victories in 2020, as both our candidates have been ahead or tied in recent polling, and we are investing in a robust voter education effort on the importance of these races. Website: (To access, enter this password: BrunnerODonnell2020) Register for the Zoom here

Stonewall Time Capsule Collecting; Tuesday, 6/2 - Tuesday, 6/30- New-York Historical and the Generations Project are preserving LGBTQ history for the next 50 years in a time capsule to be opened at the Stonewall 100 celebration in 2069. Explore our exhibition Stonewall 50 at New-York Historical, then donate your photos and handwritten memories, stories, and thoughts on LGBTQ life in America. Email your donations to timecapsule@nyhistory.org, or mail them to: Kathleen O’Connor, New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West , New York NY 10024.

The Crime of Rhyme: Hip Hop History, Systemic Racism, and a Discussion of Rap on Trial, Tuesday, 6/16, 7:30pm: (Brooklyn Historic Society Online Event via Zoom)  “If you believe that I’m a cop killer, you believe David Bowie is an astronaut.” —Rapper Ice-T, on the persona he adopted in the song “Cop Killer.” Explore the story of opportunistic prosecutors who have looked at rap and hip hop lyrics as justifications for perpetuating the criminalization and incarceration of men of color in this discussion. Authors Erik Nielson and Andrea Dennis place case studies of rappers in which their lyrics have become evidence against them within the greater context of hip hop history in their book Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America. Join them for a conversation of this injustice, the stakes of persecuting artists, and more with Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival founder Wes Jackson. Register here: 

NYC Council Hearings: There will be legislative and budget hearings over the next few weeks. Check the hearing calendar on the Council website for upcoming meetings.

Join HK Dems, VID and CRDC, Saturday, June 13 - ALL ARE WELCOME!

BLACK LIVES MATTER (Sat 6/13 1:30-3:00 PM): We are at a historic turning point in our nation's history where the voices of millions are raised in unison and calling for justice.  As a political club we have a unique opportunity to take that momentum and turn it into real, legislative change. Congressman Nadler and the House Judiciary Committee will be holding hearings in the Capitol on Wednesday to investigate the excessive force used by the Trump Administration in their attempts to silence dissent. Here in New York State, The Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus in the legislature, along with many leaders in New York City, have put forward a package of bills to improve police transparency, collect statistics, reduce unnecessary arrests, introduce body cameras, and much more.  But your voices are essential if they are to pass in the face of entrenched opposition. We need your calls and texts to legislators to get this passed.  Join us at 1.30pm next Saturday, June 13th, to call our State and City representatives and press for real change. Sign up HERE to join us.

Black Lives Matter - take action any time: In addition to our resources located at the top of this newsletter, we have included a legislative action guide for people to follow any time, which includes call scripts, contact details, and background on the issues; this will be the basis of our action next Sat, 6/13.  

Postcards to Michigan: (Sat 6/13 1:00-3:00): Join us as we write postcards to voters in the critical battleground state of Michigan.  We'll increase turnout to voters who share our values & encourage mail-in ballots at the same time!  It’s been proven that voters who receive hand-written postcards are more likely to vote. Registration is limited, so sign up HERE!

Volunteer: Senator Brad Hoylman is looking for volunteers to help with his re-election. Sign up here. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is looking for phone banking volunteers. Phone banking occurs everyday at 10:10 A.M., 1:00 P.M., 4:00 P.M., and 6:00 P.M., Email kendra@carolynmaloney.com for more details. You can click here to text for Jerry Nadler.  You can watch a ‘how-to-text’ video here.  

Vote Blue 2020: Please consider donating to Vote Blue.  They are still looking for at least 51 contributions in order to become a multi-candidate PAC. You can donate here: https://votebluenyc.org/donate.

Sign this petition to tell the U.S. Senate to invest in public education and public services by passing the HEROES Act. To get our children back to school safely, we need the U.S. Senate to support the HEROES Act, which contains $1 trillion for state and local services like public safety, health care and education. The bill provides $100 billion for our public schools so they can prepare to reopen safely, test for illness, follow the guidance of medical experts and provide the academic, social and emotional supports all our children need to recover from this pandemic. 

What to Know for Phase 1 of Reopening in NYC: Read about it here.  “NYS requires employers to conduct employee health screening. The staff will be reminded to monitor their health closely and stay home if sick. Staff who arrive to work sick or become sick at work will be sent home immediately. Employers should relax leave policies to encourage staff to stay home until they meet the criteria for ending self-isolation. It is also essential to promote physical distancing, good hand hygiene and regular use of face coverings.”

Donations of Blood are needed!!! - find a location near you: 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Women’s Prison Association (WPA) is in need of supplies. WPA empowers women to redefine their lives in the face of injustice and incarceration.They forge pathways to freedom, safety, and independence. They offer gender-responsive services to women at any stage of contact with the criminal justice system, to help them weather crises, achieve stability, and meet longer-term goals on the way to lawful community life. Please consider making a donation. 

Citymeals on Wheels has created a COVID-19 Resource Guide for older adults. The guide contains information relating to food resources, healthcare, and housing.

All the best, 

The CRDC Board

Dear CRDC,

Here are the latest items you all can do from home. Whether it’s joining a Zoom meeting, filling out your census, or simply reading through our helpful resources, we hope the following will help occupy some of your time. #FocusOnThePositive Enjoy!!!

COVID19 on the City, State, and Federal level; Join Linda Rosenthal, Scott  Stringer, Jerry Nadler & Brian Benjamin for a virtual town hall to discuss how their offices are responding to the #COVID19 on the City, State, and Federal level on Tuesday, 5/26 at 7 pm. RSVP here:

Homelessness in the Age of Covid-19; Wednesday, 5/27 at 7pm-8pm- Hosted by Kim Moscaritolo, listen to a conversation about the homelessness crisis in New York City, and the impact of COVID-19 on one of our most vulnerable communities. Special Guests include Assembly Member Harvey Epstein and Josh Dean, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Human.NYC. Register for this event here. 

Holding Court: A Justice Conversations with AFJ and Rashad Robinson - Examining COVID-19 through a racial and economic justice lens, Wednesday, 5/27, 6pm- Across the country, millions of families, communities, and businesses have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite being named the great equalizer by many, the pandemic has disproportionately affected communities of color across the United States. It’s undeniable that the pandemic has exacerbated long standing systemic inequities across our healthcare system, environmental conditions, policing and criminal justice system, and more. Join this event for a discussion with Rashad Robinson, Executive Director of Color of Change, and leading advocates about the root causes of the racial and economic disparities of COVID-19 and how our government’s response must address them. Register here.

Stonewall Time Capsule Collecting; Tuesday, 6/2 - Tuesday, 6/30- New-York Historical and the Generations Project are preserving LGBTQ history for the next 50 years in a time capsule to be opened at the Stonewall 100 celebration in 2069. Explore our exhibition Stonewall 50 at New-York Historical, then donate your photos and handwritten memories, stories, and thoughts on LGBTQ life in America. Email your donations to timecapsule@nyhistory.org, or mail them to: Kathleen O’Connor, New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West , New York NY 10024.

NYC Council Hearings: There will be legislative and budget hearings over the next few weeks. Check the hearing calendar on the Council website for upcoming meetings.

June 23 Election: All registered voters can vote by mail in June. You can confirm your address and registration status here or by calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692). Click here to request your ballot.

Our schools & our students need a lifeline!  Please text LIFELINE to 30644.  Join the fight to pass the federal HEROES Act. Save public education! 

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney has been fighting to help protect USPS. While the much-needed aid passed the House in the HEROES Act, the Senate still needs to take action. Please sign Carolyn’s petition to show strong public support to save the USPS. 

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is looking for phone banking volunteers. Phone banking occurs everyday at 10:10 A.M., 1:00 P.M., 4:00 P.M., and 6:00 P.M., Email kendra@carolynmaloney.com for more details.

Senator Brad Hoylman is looking for volunteers to help with his re-election. Sign up here. 

Tech For Campaigns - Tech volunteers are needed to assist in campaign work now, for November. Register here: 

It is absolutely vital we take appropriate safety precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19: There's more information on the risks and necessary precautions for outdoor activity in this New York Times article.

Vote Blue 2020: Please consider donating to Vote Blue.  They are still looking for at least 51 contributions in order to become a multi-candidate PAC. You can donate here: https://votebluenyc.org/donate.

Covid-19 has changed everything; You can read Governor Cuomo's full plan for re-opening here

A Group Of Alumni Come Together To Feed Front Line Workers of the COVID-19 Response: From 3D printing face shields, to participating in timely research projects, to providing community PPE and support, the #SUNYTogether initiative is going strong and shows no signs of stopping. One such effort that exemplifies the SUNY spirit is called Food for the Frontline (FFTF), and is being led by four SUNY alumni from across our system. This organization, as the name denotes, is dedicated to providing meals to healthcare professionals and other employees in hospital systems putting their lives on the line to take care of those infected with COVID-19.

With Broadway dark due to coronavirus, costumers are now producing masks for NY’ers in need

Donations of Blood are needed!!! - find a location near you: 

DOT Open Streets- The Department of Transportation (DOT) has released a website listing all Open Streets locations across New York City. Open Streets are available daily, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM for pedestrians and cyclists to use. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

New York Road Runners for Seniors at Home- New York Road Runners launched their new fitness program to accommodate seniors sheltering in place. The new online resource, NYRR Striders at Home, launched last week, and offers exercises and activities for our senior community. NYRR has developed activities for all levels and abilities, and additional exercises and supporting videos will be added in the coming weeks.

NYC families: if you child has persistent fever, rash, abdominal pain, vomiting or other symptoms, call your doctor immediately. It could be related to Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome. If you don’t have a doctor, call 311. Learn more: 

$420 Food Benefit Cards Coming To All NYC Public School Students: Read about this here.

Please follow this link to take the NYC Transit Survey. It should take less than fifteen minutes and will help the MTA plan with our needs in mind.

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We truly hope you are all still doing the best you can. If you need any kind of assistance, please do not hesitate and reach out to us. We are #AloneTogether and we must continue to #StayHome and follow all safety precautions. #FocusOnThePositive

All the best during a difficult time, 

The CRDC Board

Dear CRDC,

This upcoming Thursday we will be holding our second Virtual Happy Hour with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, plus other special guests. See details in the 'Upcoming Events' section. Also, check out our new Resource page on our website. The link can be found below in the 'What Else is Going On' section.

Just as a reminder, even though the weather is becoming nicer outside, it doesn’t mean you should forget about all of the safety rules we have been following for the last couple of months. Please continue to wear masks and practice social distancing. Nobody enjoys our current situation, however if we ever want things to get better, if we want NYC to open up, if we want life to go back to whatever our new normal will be, we must be mindful and considerate with everything we do. 

Here are the latest items you all can do from home. Whether it’s joining a Zoom meeting, filling out your census, or simply reading through our helpful resources, we hope the following will help occupy some of your time. #FocusOnThePositive Enjoy!!!

• This upcoming Thursday at 7pm, we will be hosting our 2nd Virtual Happy Hour meeting. We will be hearing from Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney as well as Ken Jockers, Executive Director of Hudson Guild, Darlene Waters, President, Elliott-Chelsea Houses Tenant Association,  Miguel Acevedo, President, Fulton Houses Tenant Association, and Erik Bottcher, Corey Johnson's Chief of Staff, who will be discussing what’s been going on in our community and what they have been doing about it. Please use this link to join in on this Zoom event or you can call in using this number; 1 929 436 2866 - Password: 038175 Meeting ID: 852 9935 1701
  

• COVID-19 has impacted all of our lives, but it impacts the lives of people with disabilities even more. Four Freedoms Democratic Club, in collaboration with Manhattan Young Democrats, Chelsea Reform Democratic Club, and Village Independent, will be holding a Zoom panel on May 20, 2020 at 7:00PM, which will address the types of struggles people with disabilities are facing at this time and how people without disabilities can be an ally. Our panelist will speak and take questions at the end.  To attend the event, please register here.

• NYC Council Hearings. There will be legislative and budget hearings over the next few weeks. Check the hearing calendar on the Council website for upcoming meetings.

• June 23 Election: All registered voters can vote by mail in June. You can confirm your address and registration status here or by calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692). Click here to request your ballot.

• Federal appeals court judges seemed inclined during oral arguments Friday to let New York’s Democratic presidential primary proceed in June. Read about this here.

• Covid-19 has changed everything; You can read Governor Cuomo's full plan for re-opening here

• This week the City Council passed a package of bills that included legislation capping food delivery app commission fees to as little as 5% during the pandemic; preventing commercial landlords from going after COVID-impacted small business owners’ personal assets; protecting COVID-impacted small businesses from harassment; prohibiting delivery apps from charging restaurants for phone orders that didn’t take place; and suspending sidewalk cafe fees. Click here to read more

• It is absolutely vital that we take appropriate safety precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19: There's more information on the risks and necessary precautions for outdoor activity in this New York Times article.

• Congratulations to Erik Bottcher for receiving the endorsement from the United Federation of Teachers for City Council. "We are proud to endorse Erik for the City Council and know he will be an effective advocate for both District 3 and all of New York City,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew. Read about it here.

• Meet the New York City Volunteers Risking Their Lives to Feed People

• With Broadway dark due to coronavirus, costumers are now producing masks for NY’ers in need 

• Fill out your Census! There is one thing we can all do for New York while we are stuck indoors. Fill out the form you have received in the mail, do it online at https://my2020census.gov, or over the phone by calling 844-330-2020. 

• Blood Donations are needed!!! - find a location near you: 

• Apply to be a contact tracer. Contact tracing is a public health project where a team of professionals trace the contacts of anyone who tests positive for COVID-19. Click this link to apply for a Contact Tracer job or to search for other jobs within this initiative. You can email covid-19jobs@FPHNYC.org for more information

• Vote Blue 2020: consider donating to Vote Blue.  They are still looking for at least 51 contributions in order to become a multi-candidate PAC. You can donate here: https://votebluenyc.org/donate.

• Check out our new Resource page. All the useful information we have posted in past Eblasts is located here. This Resource page will be updated often with the latest information. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

• NYC families: if your child has a persistent fever, rash, abdominal pain, vomiting or other symptoms, call your doctor immediately. It could be related to Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome. If you don’t have a doctor, call 311. Learn more: https://on.nyc.gov/3fHCFz4

• The following was written by a colleague who had contracted the Coronavirus. Each day he took notes, detailing his own experience in hopes it would be helpful to others. He has granted us permission to share this with you all. Thank you Brian for these helpful, "lessons learned."

We truly hope you are all still doing the best you can. If you need any kind of assistance, please do not hesitate and reach out to us. We are #AloneTogether and we must continue to #StayHome and follow all safety precautions. #FocusOnThePositive

All the best during a difficult time, 

The CRDC Board