With Veterans' Day fast approaching it's a good time to stop and think of our veterans, men and women who have given so much in service to our country. Two great places to start online are the Veterans' History Project at the Library of Congress created by Congress in 2000 to collect and preserve firsthand remembrances of US wartime veterans, and the Military Voices Initiative at StoryCorps
which provides a platform for veterans, service members, and military families to share their stories. Those interested in adding their own stories of those of friends/family can download an app described here to start the process.
As has been often noted, reading fiction can help us understand the experiences of others. In recent years a number of veterans have written critically acclaimed books that paint a vivid picture of military life. Phil Klay's Redeployment, short stories set on the front lines of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, won the 2014 National Book Award for Fiction; he returns this year with Missionaries, a novel which takes an incisive look at the many forms of 21st century war. Kevin Powers' Yellow Birds follows two young soldiers desperately trying to stay alive in the battle for an Iraqi city. while David Abrams' Fobbit examines the lives of soldiers stationed at a Forward Operating Base behind the lines of combat. Brian Castner, who served three tours of duty in the Middle East, is the author of The Long Walk: A Story of War and the Life That Follows, which follow soldiers in an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit in Iraq and is a devastating look at the human toll of war. And Siobhan Fallons' You Know When the Men Are Gone, written by a military wife, offers a moving look at the families left behind, waiting at Ft. Hood for their men to return from war.
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Community Connections for Pandemic Challenges
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Donations Needed for Laundry Initiative
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So many New Rochelleans, of every walk of life, are facing homelessness, hunger, and job loss. Everyday services taken for granted, like clean clothing, are a real challenge for our most vulnerable populations.
Hope Community Services and Shiloh Baptist Church are teaming up to alleviate this growing problem, by helping people get their clothes and linens washed at no charge, via a laundry card or gift certificate, and donations of laundry detergent.
You can help by donating laundry detergent (liquid, powder or pods any size - to assist both individuals and families,) dryer sheets, fabric softener and laundry cards. To find out how to donate please contact Sylvia Hamer, Government Affairs, Community Outreach and Interfaith Relations at Shiloh Baptist Church at sylvia.hamer@sensationalshiloh.com.
Distribution is scheduled for November 13, 2020 at Hope Community Services between 2:00pm - 5:00pm and 5:00pm - 6:00pm.
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FREE Mortgage & Rental Assistance Webinar
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A free webinar to detail mortgage and rent assistance is being offered by Westchester Residential Opportunities (WRO) on November 10th, 2020 5:30pm-7:30pm. During these difficult times, with possible foreclosures and evictions caused by job loss as a result of the pandemic, WRO can provide assistance. Register now at wroinc.org.
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Cares Act Funding is Available for Immediate Financial Assistance to Westchester Businesses
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The Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board (WPWDB) has launched "Experience Works" programs to help businesses hire or rehire staff, with funding from the CARES Act.
The program is designed to provide timely support to small business owners and jobseekers affected by COVID-19. The WPWDB will pay the employee for 100% of their wages at the employer's wage rate commensurate for their job description and title. The programs runs to December 30, 2020 and all funds must be utilized by Dec. 30.
How it works: Participants will be paid at the employer's wage rate up until December 30, 2020 on a bi-weekly basis, after which time the WPWDB will work with the employer for continued employment/training services. The participant will be a 1099 contractor of the WPWDB and will receive payment directly. No withholding taxes will be deducted; the participant is responsible for Federal and NYS taxes on the income as well as FICA and Medicare. They will receive a 1099-MISC for 2020 tax returns. There are no eligibility requirements. Any employer may apply.
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The New Rochelle Public Libraries will be closed on November 11th for Veteran's Day.
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BookPage Free Issues Online
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Medicare Open Enrollment Ends December 7th
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Here are ways you can get help sorting it all out! Phone counseling and assistance is available by calling the Department of Senior Programs and Services Medicare Information Line at (914) 813-6100 or the Senior Benefit Information Counseling Line at (914) 231-3260. Questions can be sent by e-mail to
SBICS@wlsmail.org.
All counseling is free, confidential, and provided by HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Program) trained counselors. The HIICAP program helps to educate the public about Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, and other health insurance and government benefit programs.
Virtual Medicare Basics Presentations (NYS Office of the Aging)
The Virtual Medicare Basics Presentations covers information on Medicare enrollment, cost-sharing, Medicare Advantage, Part D and low income subsidy programs. Watch the presentation.
Virtual "Demystifying Medicare" Workshops (Westchester Library System)
Presented in audio chapters, in which the audience can move at their own pace and refer to downloadable handouts. Watch the presentation.
Medicare.gov, Medicare Rights Center, Center for Medicare Advocacy
There are other places to find current information on Medicare:
Medicare.gov offers information about COVID-19 and what Medicare can cover.
Medicare Rights Center has also been keeping an updated blog post of Medicare-covered services related to coronavirus, and how to access those services under current circumstances.
Center for Medicare Advocacy provides information on how both Medicare and Medicaid are attempting to address the pandemic.
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