Good afternoon New York City,
I hope you and your family had a lovely start to your June and are doing alright with the recent Air Quality Health Advisory resulting from Canadian wildfires up north. You can track air quality in real-time here.
Before we get into the rest of this email with money saving programs, free events, and NYC updates, I wanted to share five tips to stay safe with our elevated Air Quality Index levels today. When our air has smoke, remember SMOKE in this note: |
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Stay inside if and when you can. Please limit all of your outdoor activity. Today is not the time to practice for a marathon.
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Mask up! In all five boroughs, FDNY is giving away FREE N-95 masks so you can keep particulate matter out of your lungs. Select MTA stations will also distribute N-95 masks today.
- Only essential dog walks today. Your pets are also affected by the smoke. Limit time outside, wipe down your pet after a walk, and call the vet if they’re exhibiting unusual behavior.
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Keep doors and windows closed while indoors. If you have an air purifier, turn it on. If you have an air conditioner, close the fresh air intake. More tips like this here.
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Emergency Management alerts can be sent right to your phone by text, call, or app notifications. You can also check their Twitter for updates.
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As the air clears up, we can look forward to our New York summer with outdoor dining, bike lanes, cultural parades, beautiful beaches, parks, and more. If you’re looking for City programs to cut costs and fun free ways to enjoy the (almost) start of summer, this email is for you. Besides keeping you and your family informed on air quality, here's how we’ve been Getting Stuff Done for you at City Hall this week: |
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Through our ElectrifyNYC initiative to get free green energy upgrades to New Yorkers’ homes, we helped some residents save 93% on their electric bills AND reduce greenhouse gas emissions citywide. See if you qualify here.
- New York City students will now get to eat healthy and delicious locally grown foods because of an $8.4 million state grant. This program also contributes to the City’s sustainability goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging local produce production.
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More than 220,500 NYCHA residents are getting free broadband and cable through our Big Apple Connect program. We’re closing our city’s digital divide by delivering reliable high-speed internet to New Yorkers in public housing. Check your eligibility here.
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One of our jobs here at City Hall is making life easier for New Yorkers. Sometimes that means helping cover costs of your air conditioning, connecting you with open jobs ready to hire you, or sharing free events that you can enjoy in all five boroughs. Scroll below for City programs to know and fun free events to which you’ll go. |
↳ Three initiatives to know: |
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Public health is public safety – We unveiled our first free vending machine stocked with critical health supplies, such as naloxone kits to reverse opioid overdoses, products to quit smoking, essential hygiene toiletries, and birth control packs. Located on the corner of Decatur Street and Broadway in Brooklyn, this machine provides the community 24/7 access to lifesaving items.
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Faith in the American Dream – Up to 50 houses of worship will be able to host 19 asylum seekers each overnight to provide safe shelter for those who have fled their home countries. As we continue tackling this humanitarian crisis, we must remember no matter your background, caring for people in need is part of every tradition.
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Healthy bodies make healthy minds – We’re bringing food education to NYC schools for students to develop lifelong healthy eating habits. As students gain knowledge of personal wellness and get access to delicious health foods at school it benefits their health now and in the future. When equipped with healthy habits, students learn better, miss fewer days of school, and are less likely to develop negative health conditions later on.
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City service one-stop shop – Access NYC allows New Yorkers to see what City benefits, assistance, and programs they qualify for all in one convenient place. From monthly financial help to discounted internet and computers, there’s over 30 programs you may be eligible for and heading to the simple questionnaire is the best way to find out how the City can help you!
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Your vote, your voice – Did you know there’s an election coming up on 6/27? Whether you’ve already made your plan to vote or are just learning of the upcoming primary, NYC Votes has everything you need – including key dates, online information on voter registration, a poll site locator, what's on your ballot, and a refresher for using Ranked Choice Voting.
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Public questions for public safety – New Yorkers like you can submit questions for the weekly Friday public safety briefing here. Our leaders will answer these during the Friday livestream, available on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.
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↳ FREE events this weekend: |
🌆 While we expect smoke conditions to ease, events may be rescheduled or cancelled if the conditions change. |
☞ Of note: Latin Restaurants Week is happening now through 6/16! Enjoying specially selected delights like mini arepas, mashed green plantains, and mofongo, you can take a culinary journey through Latin America without ever leaving the five boroughs. You know I have to tell you that there’s vegan options, too!
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Being hot during the summer isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s not good for your health, especially if you have certain medical conditions or are an older New Yorker. Our Cooling Assistance program provides up to $1,000 in assistance to cover the costs of New Yorkers’ air conditioning and fans, including repairs and replacements for old appliances. I encourage all to check their eligibility.
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💻 Our job is getting you a job |
New York City is hiring, and we’ll take every opportunity to let you know! It’s possible we’ve even met when I’ve hit the streets to tell New Yorkers we’re hiring, or at one of our hiring halls where we’ve given out over 1,200 offers so far.
If you want to make an impact and serve the City alongside other talented New Yorkers, check out our job listings here. I hope you apply, and maybe I’ll see you around one of our offices soon. |
🌳 Let’s fix NYC’s loneliness crisis |
With a national loneliness epidemic following years of isolation and social distancing, NYC is here to offer one solution to bring New Yorkers together: volunteering at a park. Recommended by experts and doctors, immersing yourself in nature with others is excellent for your mental health. You may even make a new friend in your area. Find all NYC Parks events here, including free outdoors movies, beginners’ archery, park cleanups, fishing for first-timers, community gardening, dance lessons, and art classes. |
🎞️ Governors Island free movies |
This month, Governors Island will be hosting a free outdoor film series! On the eight-acre Parade Ground lawn, watch a movie outside with expansive views of the city right behind. This summer’s theme is resilient and relatable protagonists. |
Before you go, did you know… |
If you put New York City’s 1,456 miles of bike lanes in a straight line, you’d be able to bike halfway across the United States? With the NYC Department of Transportation announcing more new bike lanes, think of how much farther that road would stretch across the country!
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Hope you have a wonderful weekend, New York! Go and try something new, or do something that’s a favorite for you. The best part is you can do it all right here in New York City. Your Mayor,
Eric P.S. Have a question, comment, or request? Contact my office here. I look forward to hearing from you. |
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