Brooklyn Boro

What’s News Breaking: Thursday, August 5, 2021

August 5, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
Share this:

YOUTH JOBS THROUGH CAREER JUMPSTART: The GodSquad is hiring 50 eligible youth ages 14-18 for the NYS SYEP Career Jumpstart Program starting Tuesday, August 10. This paid career exploration program for young people in specific Brooklyn zip codes will provide skills development, job readiness training and field trips to a New York State career center and local businesses. Youths must work four hours daily, three days per week, for a total of four weeks. 

The eligible zip codes span from 11222 (Greenpoint) to 11203 (East Flatbush) and Canarsie (11236), as well as to southern Brooklyn, including 11223 (Gravesend) and 11224 (Coney Island).

✰✰✰

GRAND ST. BRIDGE CLOSES FOR NIGHT WORK: The NYC DOT Division of Bridges will continue conducting maintenance on the Grand Street Bridge over Newtown Creek this month. Consequently, the bridge will be fully closed to traffic during overnight work hours, between Sundays and Fridays from August 8 to August 27, inclusive. The necessary closures will last from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Metropolitan Avenue may be used as an alternate route.

✰✰✰

OUTREACH ON CHILD TAX CREDIT: A statewide outreach campaign has been launched to ensure all eligible New Yorkers register to receive advanced payments of the federal Child Tax Credit, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Wednesday. Based on preliminary IRS data, the state estimates that 200,000 New Yorkers are eligible for the monthly payments but aren’t receiving them, and could lose the opportunity to benefit simply because they haven’t registered.

As part of this campaign, Governor Cuomo has directed the New York State Tax Department, Office of Children and Family Services, Department of Labor and Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to coordinate outreach efforts to reach unregistered New Yorkers and encourage them to sign up to receive the advanced payments.

✰✰✰

FREE SHOTS WITH YOUR BOOKS:  Brooklynites can now get their COVID-19 vaccines when visiting the local public library. The Brooklyn Public Library, in partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals Test and Trace Corps, is offering free vaccines at walk-up mobile clinics outside of BPL’s neighborhood libraries throughout August, for anyone over age 12. This week, the mobile vaccine clinic will be stationed at the Flatbush Library (22 Linden Blvd. at Flatbush Ave.) and Rugby Library (1000 Utica Ave.) from Wednesday, August 4 through Saturday, August 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Next week, the mobile clinic will be at New Lots Library (665 New Lots Avenue) and Spring Creek Library (12143 Flatlands Ave.) from Monday, August 9 through Saturday, August 14, 10 am to 6 p.m.

✰✰✰

$62.8 MILLION BOOST FOR RED HOOK SPORTS FIELDS: NYC Parks Department is touting a nearly $63 million investment into the Red Hook Recreation Area Track And Fields as construction begins. NYC Parks Acting Commissioner Margaret Nelson on Wednesday announced the beginning of construction on the Red Hook Recreation Area track 1, soccer fields 3-5, and ballfields 1-4, in a third phase of the wider remediation and reconstruction of the site that represents a $62.8 million investment, with funding from Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Member Carlos Menchaca — one that advances the agency’s mission to make sure all parks are safe and healthy environments.

The agency has been working with sports permit holders, such as leagues and organizations, to accommodate them at other parks. Those seeking a permit or in need of assistance can reach the field and permit office at 718-965-8912.

✰✰✰

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, New York State Senator Kevin Parker, Kingsborough Community College President Claudia V. Schrader, New York State Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, and Medgar Evers College President Patricia Ramsey listen to Brooklyn College President Michelle J. Anderson discuss the new Healthcare Career Hub of Central and South Brooklyn.

NEW CAREER HUB AND LAB OVERHAUL: Brooklyn College President Michelle J. Anderson recently welcomed New York State Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul to the Brooklyn College campus to announce the launch of the Healthcare Career Hub of Central and South Brooklyn: Brooklyn College, Kingsborough Community College, and Medgar Evers College— Building the Workforce Ecosystem. The Healthcare Career Hub of Central and South Brooklyn, made possible in part with a $9.3 million NY-CUNY 2020 Grant, provides more than $3.1 million for renovations in labs and other campus facilities related to Brooklyn College’s biology and healthcare programs. The joint effort between the three campuses aims to expand the healthcare workforce in Central and South Brooklyn.

Specifically at Brooklyn College, labs that support programs in health and science and biological life sciences will be upgraded and upfitted with new equipment, and spaces will be made fully ADA-compliant.

✰✰✰

HELPING ADULTS ATTAIN HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS: The Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT) program will receive $153,000 in City Council discretionary funding to continue its comprehensive adult education and High School Equivalency (HSE) classes in Coney Island. Councilmember Mark Treyger made the announcement Wednesday, pointing out that, in the Coney Island section of his district, nearly 20 percent of residents who are over the age of 25 lack a high school diploma, because economic and caregiving responsibilities interrupted their traditional education. For the first time this year, financial incentives will be offered to participants as they pursue their educational goals, in addition to the existing wraparound supports like travel stipends, food, case management, access to childcare and other resources such as career guidance.

Beginning in 2017 with a $40,000 grant, Councilmember Treyger began a partnership with Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT) to offer high-quality adult education classes located in the West End of Coney Island so that residents were no longer compelled to leave the peninsula in order to finish school.

Subscribe to our newsletters


Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment