A Message from Jumaane

Dear Friends, In this joyous season, I want to wish you and your family happy holidays! We have so many blessings to share with each other, so let us all commit to take time to reach out to those less fortunate. If you need any assistance finding ways to give back, I encourage you to reach out to my office. There are many holiday parties this time of year, and I hope you have my offices ChrisKwanUkah get-together on your list! Come out to my district office this Thursday, December 15th from 6:00 PM-9:00 PM, where we will have refreshments, music and more to share with you. You can also refer to the Whats Happening Around the 45th? section for information on this and other upcoming events. Finally, I hope you will continue to take advantage of my offices resources in the coming year. Right now in my district office we have applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program and a binder of job postings and civil service exams. Again, happy holidays to you and your family! Make sure to check out the new One-on-One with Council Member Williams, filmed at the Stand for Freedom rally! Sincerely,

WHATS HAPPENING AROUND THE 45TH?

Council Member Jumaane D. Williams ChrisKwanUkah Party Thursday, December 15th. 6:00 PM-9:00 PM. 4517 Avenue D. Senator Eric Adams Office Party/Open House Saturday, December 17th. 4:00 PM-9:00 PM. 572 Flatbush Avenue. East Flatbush Village Holiday Party Sunday, December 18th. 4:00 PM-9:00 PM St. Gabriels Episcopal Church, 331 Hawthorne Street. 2nd Annual Pan Parang Sunday, December 18th. 6:00 PM-12:00 AM. Tropical Paradise, 1367 Utica Avenue. Want to add an event to a future newsletter? E-Mail: ssanchez@council.nyc.gov

On November 21st, Council Member Jumaane D. Williams spoke at Riverside Church to advocates and supporters of Living Wage NYC, a campaign to provide workers at publicly-subsidized developments with a wage based on the cost of living in New York City.

Council Member Jumaane D. Williams

December 14, 2011 E-Newsletter

Update from City Hall

The Urban Justice Centers Human Rights Project released their report card for 2011, and again Council Member Williams was among the top marks in the City Council. Earning an A+ grade for the second consecutive year, the report recognized his dedication to housing rights, workers rights, criminal/juvenile justice, disability rights and voting rights. Council Member Williams remains committed to all of these issues as we work towards a more just society for all New Yorkers. Speaking of housing rights, on November 22nd, Council Member Williams offered testimony at a hearing on the Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program. There is great concern regarding the reorganization of the program and the assignment of the 311 call system for applying and reapplying for benefits. Because 311 is not language-sensitive nor does it provide direct assistance to the elderly or their family, thousands of senior citizens have had recent difficulties. Council Member Williams believes the Department for the Aging is the agency with the most expertise on the needs of our seniors, and it needs to be an active part of the application process, particularly to handle the many obstacles that will occur when dealing with this vulnerable population.

JUMAANE IN THE NEWS

\ On December 7th, Council Member Williams joined Kirsten John Foy and citywide elected officials to condemned the NYPD officers derogatory Facebook posts about the West Indian Day Parade.

Morgan Gabriel, President/CEO of Organizing Brooklyn Communities

1) What work do you do in the 45th?

Heroes of the 45th

We organize and form block, tenant, civic, merchant, and neighborhood associations. We are dedicated to provide various services to the community. We conduct workshops on a regular basic on the needs of the community. 2) Why did you decide to get involved in the community?

On November 21st, Council Member Williams joined Speaker Christine Quinn and fellow Brooklyn council members to volunteer at the Masbia Soup Kitchen in advance of the holiday season.

About twenty years ago I observed the quality of life in our community was deteriorating. There was no organizational structure and programs for community participation. I found it was necessary to organize some form of leadership structure which is decisive in moving our people and community progressively forward. 3) Tell me a valuable experience you had in your service.

The experience of four homeowners in a block of 50 homes held a discussion on coming together on a homeowner patio. One year later it became a vibrant block association with 95% participation. 4) How can people get involved?

Reach out to each other. Talk to your neighbors. Help someone in need. Pay particular attention to children and seniors. Join or create local community-based organizations. If you need help forming an association or organization, call (718) 576-6600.

On November 17th, Council Member Williams participated in a civil disobedience action on behalf of the 99 percent at the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge, along with Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito and other progressive activists.

Council Member Jumaane D. Williams

December 14, 2011 E-Newsletter

HELPFUL CONTACTS FOR THE 45TH DISTRICT

Citizen Pruner Care Course: TreesNY (212) 227-1887 Emergency Food Stamps Hotline: Human Resource Administration (HRA) (877) 472-8411 Family Court Assistance: Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT) (212) 343-1122 Legal Aid (718) 722-3100 First Time Home Buyers: Midwood Development Corporation (MDC) (718) 376-0999 Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of East Flatbush (718) 469-4679 Foreclosure Defense: Erasmus Neighborhood Federation (ENF) (718) 462-7700 South Brooklyn Legal Services (718) 237-5500 Foreclosure Prevention: CAMBA Legal Services (718) 287-0010 ext. 40240 Erasmus Neighborhood Federation (ENF) (718) 462-7700 Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of East Flatbush (718) 469-4679 Midwood Development Corporation (MDC) (718) 376-0999 Immigration Services/TPS: Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) (718) 254-0700 CAMBA Legal Services (718) 287-0010 CUNY Citizenship NOW! at Medgar Evers College (718) 270-6292 Information and Non-Emergency Services: 311 Job Training & Placement: CAMBA Workforce Development (718) 282-0108 ex. 79301 The Hope Program (718) 852-9307 Workforce1 (718) 246-5219 Landlord/Tenant Issues: Erasmus Neighborhood Federation (ENF) (718) 462-7700 Flatbush Development Corporation (FDC) (718) 859-3800 Midwood Development Corporation (MDC) (718) 376-0999 South Brooklyn Legal Services (718) 237-5500 Rental Arrears: Housing Court Answers (212) 962-4795 Vulnerable Adults: Adult Protective Services (212) 630-1853 Water Bill: NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Bureau of Customer Services (718) 595-7000 Want to be added to this list? E-Mail: sringel@council.nyc.gov

GET ACTIVE!
Participatory budgeting is making great progress in the 45th District! We had a very dynamic and well-attended first series of neighborhood assemblies, and as you read this our budget delegate volunteers are hard at work transforming your ideas into proposals for you to vote on this spring. There is still time to submit ideas online for how you would like to spend $1 million from my upcoming discretionary capital budget. You have until December 26th to visit www.pbnyc.org and make your voice heard in this process!

Neighborhood Highlights
On December 2nd and 3rd, Council Member Williams worked with Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes to bring Project Safe Surrender to Mount Sion Baptist Church. Clergy, pastors, lay members and defense attorneys were present to help resolve outstanding summons warrants. On December 3rd, Council Member Williams collaborated with the TOP Development Corporation Ujima AIDS Project and the After Hours Project to present "Know Your Status", a free and confidential rapid HIV testing event. On December 19th, registration opens for Winter Session I at the Flatbush YMCA. From January 2nd to Feburary 26th, a variety of youth programming will be available for children ages four and up, including ballet, basketball, painting, and African drums. For more information, please e-mail dhilaire@yncanyc.org or call (718) 469-8100. Want to add news to a future newsletter? E-Mail: sringel@council.nyc.gov

One-on-One with Council Member Williams

Stay In Touch with Council Member Williams

District Office:
4517 Avenue D Brooklyn, NY 11203 Phone: (718) 629-2900 Fax: (718) 451-2136

City Hall Office:

250 Broadway, Room 1882 New York, NY 10007 Phone: (212) 788-6960 Fax: (212) 442-1564

Check out Jumaane D. Williams Council on Facebook! Follow JumaaneWilliams on Twitter! E-Mail: info@jumaanewilliams.com

Council Member Jumaane D. Williams

December 14, 2011 E-Newsletter