NYC Mayors Public Engagement Unit 

What's NEW at PEU!

April 2023

 
Six people stand and pose for the camera, smiling, and holding different signs

PEU, DNYC and CEC staff with NYC Chief Engagement Office, Betsy McLean, at New Dorp High School for student voter registration day

About the Public Engagement Unit (PEU)

The NYC Public Engagement Unit (PEU) uses community organizing principles to re-envision how the city provides services to its most vulnerable communities. Rather than expecting constituents to navigate a complex city bureaucracy to get the help they need, PEU adopts grassroots tactics to meet residents where they are — at their doors and on their phones, in their social media feeds, and in their communities. PEU combines this proactive outreach with comprehensive case management, and in doing so, builds long-term relationships between New Yorkers and their government.

Upcoming Events

GetCoveredNYC Weekly Event Round-Up

GetCoveredNYC has continued to connect New Yorkers to health coverage and health information. We continue our routine tabling efforts at libraries, community centers, and HRA offices in every borough. Stay tuned for our weekly social media roundup of GetCoveredNYC events, helping people find free health care support in-person here .
Graphic reads Where's PEU? Join us this week for health care resources. Find a Specialist

Team Wins

Civics Week

Every year during Civics Week PEU coordinates a Student Voter Registration Drive at NYC schools across the city in partnership with NYC Public Schools (formerly DOE), the Civic Engagement Commission, and DemocracyNYC. PEU's Special Projects Team trained nearly 100 volunteers from PEU, DNYC/CEC, and other external agencies to conduct voter registration and pre-registration in schools. Civic engagement continues beyond Civics Week, and we can't wait to see these young leaders become the future of our communities!

“To me, civics week means getting involved, getting engaged and really expressing your own individuality while still being a collective and really ensuring that your voice is being heard.” - Senior at New Dorp High School

Staff all stand together smiling at the camera holding signs.
Screenshot of a Tik Tok live featuring Public Engagement Unit and open igloo staff
Selfie of Public Engagement Unit and open igloo staff in an office with an open igloo sign on the wall behind them.

As the City's in-house “campaign” experts, PEU's Special Projects Team leverages interagency resources, City staff volunteers, and technology in agile and creative ways to design and implement new outreach strategies for the City's most pressing initiatives. PEU has coordinated special projects connecting New Yorkers to a range of benefits and services. To read more about these initiatives, click here.

PEU's Tenant Support Unit and Openigloo Partner to Promote Tenant Rights

TSU and Openigloo's new partnership will help PEU reach, inform, and educate renters about their rights to a safe, well-maintained apartment that is free from pests, leaks, and hazardous conditions. In addition, we've partnered so far to share information about NYC Heat Law and Illegal Lockouts. Watch the video on heat & hot water rules in NYC here.

As part of our partnership, we held a TikTok LIVE event about tenant rights in New York. People scrolling through TikTok could watch the LIVE, ask questions in the comments, and learn more about tenant rights virtually in real time.
Screenshot of a Tik Tok live featuring Public Engagement Unit and open igloo staff
Selfie of Public Engagement Unit and open igloo staff in an office with an open igloo sign on the wall behind them.

The Tenant Support Unit (TSU) provides free information on tenants' rights, assistance navigating housing-related issues, and connection to a range of resources, including the Tenant Resource Portal, anti-eviction legal assistance, and rent freeze and homeowner tax exemption programs. Visit nyc.gov/TSU for more information.

Health Care Fair

In honor of National Public Health Week and National Minority Health Month, our GetCoveredNYC team, in collaboration with NYC Care, BronxNet and YMCA La Central, hosted a health care fair on April 1st in the South Bronx! The event featured free access to YMCA gym facilities and classes, health workshops and screenings, family fun activities like face painting and VR, and information on community and government resources. Over 33 organizations and agencies joined us to connect the South Bronx community to the health resources they deserve. Thank you to all who chipped in to make this event such a success!
PEU staff with Bronx BP stand behind table smiling as they pose

PEU staff with Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson at the healthcare fair in the Bronx
PEU staff gathers together with Bronxnet staff in front of colorful balloon arch while holding signs that read
GetCoveredNYC team behind table with table cloth that reads 'GetCoveredNYC'. Table has a lot of flyers.

GetCoveredNYC provides free assistance for New Yorkers seeking to enroll in health care, regardless of immigration status or income. Our Specialists speak over a dozen languages and conduct outreach to proactively identify uninsured New Yorkers and help them get access to health care and other health-related benefits. Visit nyc.gov/GetCoveredNYC for more information.

PEU and AM Williams Resource Fair in Brooklyn

PEU teamed up with Assembly Member Jaime Williams to host a Resource Fair in Brooklyn! Together, we connected members of the 59th District to key City resources, like health coverage enrollment, tenant rights and other benefits.There are numerous City programs available for New Yorkers: we're here to help you find out if you qualify and help with the enrollment process.
Tenant Support Unit stand behind table posing for the camera. The table cloth reads 'NYC Tenant Support. Protecting your rights. Protecting your home'. There are multiple flyers on the table.

SBS Workforce Mobile Unit event

PEU joined Small Business Services (SBS) at Wyckoff Houses in Brooklyn. Staff was there to share resources and provide assistance!
PEU Specialists stand behind table posing for the camera, wearing name tags.

Yemeni American Merchants Association Pre-Ramadan Event

Our GetCoveredNYC team was thrilled to join YAMA at a pre-Ramadan event this month. It was a very lively event, and we had a great time connecting with New Yorkers about all things health care in honor of this sacred month.
Photo of a GetCoveredNYC Specialist, she sits at a table with health care flyers and brochures in front of her.

Ramadan Mubarak

We would like to take this opportunity to send our Muslim friends and coworkers our best wishes for the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a time for spiritual development, and fellowship. It's a time to get together, share a meal, and celebrate the month's blessings. We wish you happiness, peace, and success this Ramadan.

To everyone who is observing this holy month, Ramadan Mubarak.
Graphic celebrating Ramadan, text reading Ramadan Mubarak - may this Ramadan bring prosperity and joy to your community.

Happy Passover

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a happy and blessed Passover. May this season bring you peace, joy, and renewed hope for the future.
Colorful graphic that reads Happy Passover, NYC Mayor's Public Engagement Unit

Happy Easter

As we celebrate Easter, we are reminded of the new beginnings and hope that this holiday brings. We hope that this Easter season is filled with joy, love, and renewal. Happy Easter to all from PEU!
Color graphic with eggs and bunny ears that reads Happy Easter from NYC Mayor's Public Engagement Unit

SPECIALIST SPOTLIGHT

The Home Support Unit (HSU) conducts outreach to rental owners and brokers in order to identify vacant homes for voucher holders living in shelters. HSU supports owners and brokers throughout the lease-up process, improving their experience with rental subsidies so that they continue to provide units to voucher recipients in the future.

One of our Home Support Specialists, Monica Lang, recently received a very special phone call in regards to a case she was working on with one of her clients. She was informed that the paperwork was in for this client and one of PEU's homeowner partners was about to hand keys over to this client she had been working with! She raced to get there right on time to witness the beautiful moment. The client was so thankful for Monica!

Our HSU team works with landlords and brokers to simplify the process of renting to New Yorkers with vouchers.

Learn more about leasing your apartment to voucher holders at nyc.gov/hsu.
HSU specialist, Monica Lang, with her client smiling at the camera while ironside a house

TWEET OF THE MONTH
screen of a tweet, a woman holding GetCoveredNYC flyers and standing in front of #7 train Main Street Station

IN THE NEWS

  • Norwood: Health Care Fair for Bronx Families Held at La Central YMCA in South Bronx, April 3, 2023
  • CBS: Bronx health care fair marks start of National Minority Health Month and National Public Health Week, April 1, 2023
  • BronxNet: New York Health Care Fair: Interview with BronxNet in Spanish, March 30, 2023
  • BronxNet: New York Health Care Fair: Interview with BronxNet, March 29, 2023
  • Univision: Derechos de un inquilino en la ciudad de Nueva York ¿Qué se puede hacer y que es ilegal?, March 16, 2023
  • Harlem World: NYC Mayor's Public Engagement Unit And openigloo To Promote Tenant Rights, March 9, 2023

RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Medicare Savings Programs: Medicare Savings Programs help pay for Medicare costs. If you make $2,260 or less, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program! Medicare Savings Programs may be used to help pay for your Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. If you think you qualify, call GetCoveredNYC to learn more!
  • Tax Filing: NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is coordinating the City's Annual Tax Season Initiative for the 21st season. New Yorkers who earned $80,000 or less in 2022 can use NYC Free Tax Prep to file for free! Don't delay - the deadline to fill out your taxes is April 18th! Find tools to amplify NYC Free Tax Prep here.
  • Hear from Eric: New Yorkers can sign up online to receive digital communications directly from Mayor Adams with exclusive information about new initiatives and policies, local events, and more.
  • Week in Review: Mayor Adams launched the MyCity portal, traveled to Albany for budget negotiations and Spread Love NYC with a new program from NYC Service. Watch the last Week in Review video here.
  • Energy Bill Assistance: This year, if you need assistance paying for your heating or electricity bills, there are programs that may be able to help. Learn about available support from the NY State assistance program, National Grid, and Con Edison. Plus, share this graphic about winter bills to get the word out!
  • Mental Health Support: Mental health counselors are available 24 hours a day to provide free support in many languages. You can contact them directly by calling 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355), Text WELL to 65173 or Chat nyc.gov/nycwell
  • NYC Fair Fares: Eligible New York City residents can get a 50% discount on eligible transportation. Help us to spread the word by sharing this HRA toolkit and check your eligibility at nyc.gov/fairfares or by calling 311.
  • Discounted Internet: The Affordable Connectivity Program is available to help you pay for broadband internet service! Qualifying New Yorkers (including all public school families) can receive up to $30 per month off their internet bill. You can learn more about and sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program here: GetInternet.gov.
  • Access Benefits: There are more than 30 programs you or your family may be eligible for regardless of immigration status and even if you're already receiving benefits or have a job. Use ACCESS NYC to find help in NYC with food, money, housing, work and more.
  • Vaccinations: Walk-ins available for first and second doses of the monkeypox (MPV) vaccine, COVID vaccines and flu shots:
    • No appointment needed
    • Find a walk-in location: nyc.gov/vaccinefinder
PEU staff stands behind a table filled with flyers as she hands a flyer to another person who wears a winter hat and grabs the flyer. Other people can be seen in the background near other tables.

Housing Resource Fair: PEU was at the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club Housing Resource Fair in the Bronx to let tenants know about tenant rights!
PEU staff outside in sunny weather. Many people are outside and one woman can be seen interacting with PEU staff member in front of a table with flyers

PEU at Pierina Sanchez community and resource day to share resources!

Follow us on social media and learn about our programs and outreach on our website: nyc.gov/MayorsPEU

Connect with PEU:

  • Twitter: @MayorsPEU
  • Instagram: @mayorspeu
  • Facebook: @NYC Mayor's Public Engagement Unit
  • LinkedIn: /mayorspeu
  • Website: nyc.gov/MayorsPEU
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