Letter from Mayor's Office - Brighton Beach BID

LETTER FROM: Ayyad Algabyali

Neighborhood Organizer at the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA).

The coronavirus has presented our communities with unprecedented challenges. Rest assured, your City is fighting to slow the spread of COVID-19 to protect the health and well-being of all New Yorkers. Through these difficult times, please know that your City stands with you, the communities you serve, and provides critical resources to ensure all can access care and resources, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. Please note that the information is also available in other languages, including Russian:

Health Guidance and Resources:

Healthy or sick, all New Yorkers need to stay home as much as possible. To stay up to date with the latest information, we encourage you to visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s site.

· Information is available in over 20 languages.

· For real-time updates in English, text COVID to 692-692.

· Please note: Seeking or using medical treatment or preventive healthcare services related to COVID-19 will NOT be considered under the public charge rule, even if the services are Medicaid-funded. Seek care without fear and if you need help getting medical care, call 311 and get connected to a doctor today.

Resources for Workers:

You have the right to use safe and sick leave to care for yourself or anyone you consider family.

· For more information visit the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s website for information available in over 20 languages.

· Workers in NYC are covered by many labor and employment laws, regardless of immigration status.

Resources for Small Businesses:

Relief is available for small businesses and employees impacted by COVID-19:

· Businesses with fewer than 100 employees, who have seen sales decrease by 25% or more, will be eligible for NYC Small Business Continuity Fund, which will provide zero interest loans of up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit.

· The Employee Retention Grant Program is available to NYC businesses with one to four employees that can demonstrate at least a 25% decrease in revenue as a result of COVID-19. Eligible businesses will receive a grant covering up to 40% of their payroll for two months. Businesses can access up to $27,000.

Food Assistance:

There are a number of resources available for New Yorkers of all ages, across the five boroughs:

· Food Pantries and community kitchens

o Food pantries provide groceries you can cook at home and community kitchens provide hot meals. If you need food immediately, find locations near you by using the NYC Food Map.

· Free meals for all NYC Children

o The NYC DOE provides three free meals daily. All three meals can be picked up at the same time from 7:30am-1:30pm. Please refer to this pick up location map. No registration, ID, or documentation is required.

o Nutritional information is available.

· Home-delivered meals

o For people age 60 and older, the NYC Department for the Aging provides access to home-delivered meals. A case manager/social worker can visit your home to provide in-home care, such as assistance with household chores, personal care, and referrals to additional resources.

Resources for Reporting Harassment or Discrimination:

Hate and discrimination against anyone on the basis of their race, national origin, or other status is not tolerated in New York City. The New York City Commission on Human Rights, Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, and NYPD are monitoring and responding to reported hate and bias incidents resulting from fear and stigma related to COVID-19.

· Call 311 to report harassment or discrimination.

· Call 911 if you are the victim of a hate crime or witness what you believe to be a hate crime. NYPD officers will not ask about the immigration status of anyone seeking help and language assistance is available.

Other resources:

Resources from the NYC Office of Emergency Management on the below topics can be found here

· Employment resources

· Food assistance

· Health & medical assistance

· Financial assistance

· Rent arrears and public assistance

· Emotional support & Spiritual care

· Access to free internet at home

· Remote learning devices

· Other assistance

Please reach out with any questions or concerns. We remain committed to supporting you through this trying time.