MAY 1, 2020
Dear GHCC Family,
 
Thank you to all of the angels who have helped us support Harlem during this challenging COVID-19 pandemic by contributing to our GoFundMe campaign,  SUPPORT HARLEM NOW!
 
Below, please find some of the ways that their contributions have been utilized to assist those in need.
 
COMMUNITY FOOD INITIATIVES
Twenty days ago, we began a  daily food distribution  in partnership with ReThink Food NYC and Salem United Methodist Church located at Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard & West 129th St. to feed seniors, families, and homeless persons. Since we began this community food initiative, we have doubled the 500 meals originally provided and now serve over 1000 persons daily.
 
The New York Post  applauded our efforts in their April 19 th article:
   “NYC soup kitchens are now serving grad students, actors, and musicians.”
 
 Brittany, a 35-year-old Ph.D. candidate at Teachers College at Columbia University, who declined to give her full name, says she started visiting food services at Salem United Methodist Church in Harlem a few weeks ago after her partner lost his bartending job.   “I’ve been going two or three times a week for lunch,” she said. “The fresh air makes it seem a little less scary.”
 
Manna’s, Sylvia’s, Ponty Bistro, Melba’s, and a number of other Harlem restaurants are preparing meals for first responders including NYPD officers, and the medical and support staff at Harlem Hospital Center.
 
We immediately recognized that the demand for food was great. This week we will expand our partnerships to include West Harlem Group Assistance, Cabot Creamery, Hormel Foods, and New York Road Runners who are donating pre-packaged food and pantry items which will be distributed to residents of our neighborhood affordable housing complexes at one of The Chamber’s storefronts on West 135th Street.
 
PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT (PPE)
In partnership with the President of The City College of New York, we have distributed Personal Protection Equipment (gloves, gowns, and masks) to Harlem Hospital Center.
 
TECHNOLOGY
The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Silicon Harlem is responding to the Coronavirus pandemic by working to close the technology gap in Upper Manhattan. The emphasis is on  seniors, students, shelters, and hospitals  where communication tools are needed most. The effort is focused on devices, connectivity, and digital literacy. Based on new technologies deployed by Silicon Harlem, over 1300 vulnerable households now have internet access. The effort has also allowed us to provide some households with devices. In addition to supporting the fundraiser, we encourage you to donate (used or new) devices (tablets/computers) for distribution to many of our neighbors who are unable to afford these critical communication tools.
 
MEDIA AND PROMOTIONS
To ensure that our communities are well informed, The Chamber, along with experts from Columbia University, The City College of New York, hospitals, civic and cultural groups, and government agencies, are providing daily content on a variety of topics for on-air personalities at WBLS-FM, WLIB-AM, and WHCR-FM (The City College of New York) to keep listeners informed about the latest Coronavirus news as it relates to important health, business, and community updates. We are providing articles, editorials, and ads to our print partners including NY Christian Times, NY Amsterdam News, NY Carib News, Positive Community Magazine, and Schneps Media.
 
We are dramatically saddened that thousands of our extended families of all ages have been sequestered, hospitalized, and unfortunately hundreds have passed away including some of our relatives, staff, members and partners. GOD BLESS THEM ALL.
 
With that in mind and recognizing that communities of color are two to three times more likely to be impacted by COVID-19, we are committed to ensuring that HARLEM and communities of color, nationwide and beyond, rebound from the pandemic to become stronger than before. 
 
Thank you again for being a part of this important work. We hope that you will, as you can, make additional contributions and will share the SUPPORT HARLEM NOW! campaign information with your family, friends, and extended network inviting them to donate. We also welcome your input and recommendation on other areas where we might be of assistance.
 
As the initiative progresses and assists countless others thanks to your continued help, we will keep you posted.
 
Please Stay Safe, Healthy and in Good Spirits. 

Lloyd Williams 
President

Please visit www.h2w.nyc to view all live and taped events for H2W2020 or
SUPPORT OUR
SMALL AND MEDIUM
ARTS & CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS.

Due to the serious public health crisis known as (COVID-19) a novel coronavirus Manhattan Community Board 10 staff will be telecommuting until further notice. The District Office is closed and meetings are suspended indefinitely. Please see the following contact information for staff;
District Manager Shatic Mitchell (646)675-0946
Community Assistant Juanita Anderson (347)554-0161
Resources and Updates you may find useful:
Text COVID to 692-692 for updates
DOHMH’s dedicated page on the coronavirus:  https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/coronavirus.page
NYC DOE Breakfast & Lunch  nycenet.edu/schoolsearch 
Manhattan Community Board 10 Eblast:  https://bit.ly/2VesJ8l
Opportunities to Help
City Hall COVID-19 Announcements and Updates – 5/2020

Dear Partners:

Today, Mayor de Blasio announced the distribution of face coverings, CitiBike expansion for essential workers, more PPE for health care workers and expanded community testing. 
 
Please take a few minutes to share these and other announcements/ resources  below. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
 
See more updates from the Mayor about the city’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. Here’s what you’ll find:
 
·         Share Resources and Announcements
·         PPE for Health Care Workers
·         Community Testing Sites
·         More Testing in More Places
·         Promoting Face Coverings in Public Spaces
·         Social Distancing Enforcement and Education
·         Citi Bike is Expanding
·         Thank Yous for Donations ( Facebook has a new NYC Small Business grant. Apply at facebook.com/grantsforbusiness)
·         Tracking Progress – 3 Indicators
·         New Call Line for Paid Sick Leave
·         Additional Resources
SHARE RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
·          Announcement: Station Closings for Deep Cleaning
o   Spread the word with this Sample Tweet
[1]
The @MTA has agreed to @NYCMayor plan to close stations nightly for deep cleaning. This will help keep essential workers safe and allow us to better help homeless individuals into shelter. Thank you @NYGovCuomo for your partnership!
·          Announcement: NYC to Distribute 100,000 Free Face Coverings
o   Spread the word with these sample tweets:
[1]
You can get FREE face coverings from the City! Thank you @NYCMayor for breaking down barriers to proper protection during the COVID-19 crisis. Find out where you can get yours at nyc.gov/facecoverings
[2]
.@NYCMayor has made it easier for New Yorkers to protect themselves. The city will now pass out free face coverings in parks and hard-hit communities. THIS is how to stop the spread. Find out when and where to get yours: nyc.gov/facecoverings
·          Announcement: CitiBike Expansion for Essential Workers
o   Show your support with these sample tweets:
[1]
Essential workers can now get a free one year membership to @CitiBikeNYC thanks to @NYCMayor, @NYC_DOT and @Lyft! This is a safer way for front line workers to get to their jobs while decreasing their exposure risk.
[2]
Citi Bike will have stations near Lincoln and Harlem Hospitals AND is offering a free yearlong membership to essential workers. Thank you to @CitiBikeNYC, @NYCMayor and @NYC_DOT for getting this done!
·          Combat Stress: The Mayor, First Lady, and Department of Defense are ensuring first responders and health care workers get the mental health care support they need during this crisis.
o   More info: https://on.nyc.gov/3eZIkjX
·          We gave 250,000 students the iPads they need to learn from home, and hundreds of volunteers stepped up to provide tech support!
·          “I have seen countless examples of incredible innovative and enriching activities that our teacher are putting forward for our students.” — says DOE Cancellor Carranza
o   Watch the message and spread the word to thank our teachers, parents , administrators and students: https://twitter.com/NYCMayorsOffice/status/1255635473940336643
·          Asian New Yorkers: You have the right to be free from harassment and discrimination under the New York City Human Rights Law.
o   If you have been discriminated against or harassed, report it here: https://bit.ly/ReportToNYCCHR
·          Many services are available to ALL regardless of immigration status:
o   500,000 New Yorkers on the frontlines of the COVID19 pandemic are immigrants. Our delivery workers, drivers, health care staff, and others are essential to our city—and always have been.
·          Renters have rights in New York City and we will help you fight for those rights.
o   Call 311 if you're having issues. We will provide free legal help regardless of income or immigration status.
·          NEW YORK CITY BUSINESS OWNERS: We will help you get the financial support you deserve.
o   The federal government has $310 billion for small businesses, but they deemed it first come, first serve.
o   Apply at http://sba.gov
o   call 311 for help filling out your application.
·          Fashion is an integral part of this city and some local designers have an important message about the protective outfits worn by our healthcare professionals!
o   Thank you Tory Burch, Brandon Maxwell, DKNY, Proenza Schouler and CFDA
o   Anyone can contribute at http://nyc.gov/fund .
·          Cupid is coming to New York City! Project Cupid will allow couples to get married online by the end of next week.
o   Go to http://nyc.gov/cupid for more
·          The census is for everyone, no matter your age, language, housing situation or immigration status. And there is NO citizenship question!
o   Fill out the census today: http://my2020census.gov
·          Make all of your virtual meetings inclusive for people with disabilities with MOPD's Accessible Virtual Meetings Guide.
o   Learn about accessible platforms, adding ASL interpretation, captioning and more.  https://on.nyc.gov/2SzKZav
·          Let’s take care of each other as we confront this pandemic!
o   For FREE, anyone who needs extra support can call 1-888-NYC-WELL to speak to trained counselors at any time.
o    You can also text “WELL” to 61573 or chat online at http://nyc.gov/nycwell .
PPE FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS
·          New Supply of Surgical Gowns Secured
·         1M gowns arrived in US and are in transit to NYC from factory in Vietnam
·         900K more gowns being loaded onto planes in Vietnam bound for NYC
·         City has purchased 3M more gowns, now in production
·         City coordinated air freight
·         Coordinated by EDC and leading NYC firm BCI Brands
·          With incoming deliveries and local production, NYC will be sufficient in gowns at crisis standard until mid-May
COMMUNITY TESTING SITES
·          3 NYCHA Testing Sites Now Open
o   Brooklyn: Jonathan Williams Houses, Williamsburg
o   Queens: Woodside Houses, Woodside
o   Manhattan: St. Nicholas Houses, Harlem
·          2 New H+H Community Testing Sites Open This Weekend
o   Brooklyn: Ida G Israel Clinic, Coney Island
o   Manhattan: Dyckman-Clinica de Las Americas, Inwood
·          Next Week: All 11 H+H Hospitals Will Open For Community Testing
MORE TESTING IN MORE PLACES
·          NYC is Tripling Testing Capacity at Community Sites
o   Week of April 27: 14,000 tests per week
o   Week of May 4: 35,000 tests per week
o   Week of May 18: 43,000 tests per week
·          H+H Community Testing Sites
o   Week of April 27:    11 sites
o   Week of May 18:    30 sites
PROMOTING FACE COVERINGS IN PUBLIC SPACES
·          City Distributing Face Coverings in Parks
·         Free of charge
·         100,000 face coverings distributed starting this week
·         Focus on hard-hit communities and high-traffic parks
·          Visit NYC.GOV/FACECOVERINGS For Locations and Times

SOCIAL DISTANCING ENFORCEMENT AND EDUCATION
·          Assigning City Workers to Patrol Parks and Public Spaces
·         Over 1000 full-time staff dedicated to proactive social distance enforcement and education
·         Parks, Office of Special Enforcement, Sheriff, FDNY, DEP, DSNY
·         Instruct groups to disperse and educate New Yorkers
·         Distribute 275,000 face coverings across NYC starting this week
·         Complement NYPD patrols and response to 311 reports
CITI BIKE IS EXPANDING
·          Citi Bike Expansion in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan
·         100+ new stations, including those serving essential workers at Lincoln Hospital and Harlem Hospital
·          Critical Workforce Membership Program
o   Citi and Mastercard extending free one year membership for essential workers
o   $1 million commitment, 5,500+ workers enrolled this month
THANK YOU FOR DONATIONS
·          American Eagle donated 175,000 surgical masks
·          NBA donated 35,000 masks (1500 N95s, 30,000 surgical masks)
·          Consulate General of Egypt donated 200,000 masks, 5,000 protective suits and gowns
·          AT&T donated $100,000 to the Food for Heroes Initiative
·          Fresh Cosmetics donated $200,000+ worth of soaps, moisturizers and cleansers for H+H and DHS
·          Facebook launched $6.5 Million grant program for NYC Small Businesses
o   If a small business owner wants to apply go to facebook.com/grantsforbusiness
TRACKING PROGRESS - 3 INDICATORS
·          People admitted to hospitals for suspected COVID-19
o   129  DOWN (136 as of April 27)
·          People currently in H+H ICUs for suspected COVID-19
o   705 DOWN   (734 as of April 27)
·          Percentage of people tested who are positive for COVID-19
o   Citywide: 22% DOWN   (23% as of April 27)
·         Public Health Lab: 36% UP   (29% as of April 27)
Data for Tuesday, April 28. Published at nyc.gov/coronavirus
 
NEW YORKERS CAN CALL 311 or 855-491-2667 TO FACILITATE CLAIMING PAID SICK LEAVE
 
·         New Yorkers who have had to miss work because they were sick because of COVID-19 can claim paid sick leave and use the City’s Call Center to obtain the necessary medical documentation.
·         For additional questions, see the Health Department’s FAQs (PDF)and, if needed, direct any remaining questions about how to obtain the necessary medical documentation to the City’s Call Center: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/imm/covid-19-paid-sick-leave-order-faq.pdf
·         Last week, Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot issued a Commissioner’s Order (PDF)detailing the process for New Yorkers who missed work because they tested positive for COVID-19 or were sick with COVID-19 to claim paid sick leave from their employer under New York State’s COVID-19 paid sick leave law.
·         The order applies to health care workers, essential employees, and nonessential employees.
·         New Yorkers can check if they are qualified to claim paid sick leave and obtain the documentation they need by calling the Health Department at 855-491-2667. Visit paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/covid19 for more information about the State law.
·         For New Yorkers who need a health care provider, NYC Health + Hospitals provides care to all, regardless of immigration status, insurance status or ability to pay. Call 844-NYC-4NYC (844-692-4692) or 311.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
·          COVID-19 Jobs: https://fphnyc.org/about/careers/
·          Translated COVID-19 Graphics available on our immigrant resource guide page at nyc.gov/immigrants/coronavirus
·          Pet owner impact by COVID-19
o    Call the Pet Hotline at 1-877-204-8821
o    8 a.m. to 8 p.m, 7 days a week
o    NYC Financial Empowerment Center counselors are available to support you over the phone with free financial counseling – it’s secure and confidential.
  • Book an appointment at http://nyc.gov/TalkMoney
  • Mental Health Support New Yorkers Can Access While Staying Home
  • Resources and a 24/7 hotline at nyc.gov/nycwell
  • A free resource guide for all New Yorkers as well as services tailored to the needs of aging New Yorkers, veterans, students and young people, and people harmed by violence, crime or abuse : https://thrivenyc.cityofnewyork.us/mental_health_support_while_home
  • Stop the spread of misinformation about COVID19 and stand against stigma.
  • If you have been harassed or discriminated against due to race, national origin, age, or disability, contact NYC Commission on Human Rights by calling 311.
  • Call 911 if you are a victim of or witness a hate crime.
  • Head to http://nyc.gov/stopcovidhate
  • Spread the word: https://twitter.com/NYCCHR/status/1247559624951300097?s=20
  • Many city services are available to all New Yorkers no matter what your immigration status is and regardless of your ability to pay.
  •  Visit the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs’ COVID-19 resource guide for immigrant communities during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Information is available in multiple languages: nyc.gov/immigrants/coronavirus 
  • To access SNAP online ordering
  • Go to https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/snap-online-shopping.page
  • COVID-19 Resources for NYCHA residents
  • Go to http://on.nyc.gov/nycha-covid-19-resources 
  • If you believe an employer is violating either existing labor laws or recently issued executive orders:
  • Contact 311 or the New York State Attorney General at (212) 416-8700 or Labor.Bureau@ag.ny.gov to report them.
  • Learn more: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/workers/worker-rights.page
  • Learn more about COVID-19, or coronavirus, in American Sign Language.
  • Share this video to remind New Yorkers to make a plan, gather supplies, and stay informed with @NotifyNYC: https://twitter.com/nycemergencymgt/status/1245797559572062210?s=20
  • NYC Food Delivery Driver Portal
  • The City of New York is hiring licensed TLC drivers to deliver food to New Yorkers in need during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Learn more or Sign up:
  • https://cv19engagementportal.cityofnewyork.us/#/display/5e7634997ad67502161607c2
  • We've released a Work from Home Toolkit to help New Yorkers make the most of working from home.
  • Check it out https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/cto/#/toolkit/working-from-home
  • Spread the word: https://twitter.com/NYC_CTO/status/1251138741906915329
  • DOE Graphics Library
  • A collection of graphics on the DOE's recent announcements that can be shared with families and educators, in all 9 DOE languages.
  • https://infohub.nyced.org/in-our-schools/translations/graphics-library
  • Remote Learning:  
  • You can request to have an internet-enabled device delivered to your home
  • Fill out a device request form at coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices or call 311 for support
  • For more information about remote learning, activities for students, and technical support go to schools.nyc.gov/LearnAtHome
  • Take our remote learning survey: https://twitter.com/NYCSchools/status/1252597483575939074?s=20
  • Housing Court
  •  is closed for most non-essential matters and that all pending proceedings are being administratively adjourned
  • New York City Housing Court are now only open for essential cases permitted by the court, such as landlord lockouts, serious housing code violations, and requests for emergency repairs orders. Other Housing Court cases are on hold.
  • Know that since March 16, 2020, all eviction proceedings in New York City are suspended indefinitely. For more information, please visit the NYC Department of Investigation (DOI).
  • Anyone with knowledge of City marshals attempting to execute on warrants of eviction can report this activity by calling DOI's Bureau of City Marshals at 212-825-5953.
  • Call 311 or fill out the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants Contact Us form if you are being threatened with eviction, harassment or need emergency help. 

  • COVID-19 and Poison Prevention: Staying Safe While Staying Home
  • You can find guidance with translations here: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/poison-control.page
 

 
 
WBLS 107.5 FM IMHOTEP GARY BYRD


MAY 2nd- Saturday- Radio Roundtable - 7a-8a
MAY 3rd- Sunday-Express Yourself - 10a - 11a (15 min segment)
WBLS 107.5 FM Jeff Foxx SHOW
MAY 3rd-Sunday Evening-during 6pm hour.