ATTENTION EVERYONE:

U.S. CENSUS IS OFF AND RUNNING

Every 10 years, according to the Constitution, the U.S. conducts a Census – that is an effort to count every person living in the United States. There are AT LEAST two great reasons for you to pay attention.

2010 CENSUS MEANS JOBS. The Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of workers to be temporary, part-time census takers for the 2010 Census. They promise “good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for authorized work-related expenses.” And you work in your own community. All census takers must speak English but people with bilingual skills are needed, too. For information about these jobs and to apply, contact your Local Census Office or call 1 (866) 861-2010.

THE CENSUS AFFECTS YOUR FUTURE. The results which will show who lives where in this country will be used to decide how you are represented in congress and how federal funds are spent in your community on things like parks, schools, housing, and public safety.

The law protects your privacy. The questionnaire isn’t long. So take the time to complete it.

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PROJECT FAIR HELPS OUT AT FAIR HEARING SITE

Project FAIR, a Legal Help Desk at the New York State central Fair Hearing site offers you information and referral services about fair hearings benefits and community services. Project FAIR’s table, staffed by lawyers and volunteer advocates trained by Legal Aid Society, is located from 12 noon to 3 pm Monday through Friday at the central waiting area.

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Office of Administrative Hearings
14 Boerum Place, 1st Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201

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Great Offer, For Women Only: Free Training

STRIVE  is launching a free training program in three fields of work where there’s a growing demand for skilled workers – Computer Network Technician, Office Operations, and Customer Service/Retail Sales. It’s for women only and preference will be given to individuals on or eligible for public assistance. Enrollment is already underway and training starts November 20 at Strive East Harlem Employment Services, 240 E. 123rd Street in Manhattan, so call now  (212) 360-1100.

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DHS AND YOUR RIGHT TO SHELTER

Remember, DHS is starting a new program to “sanction” families and evict them from shelter if they do not follow the rules.

If DHS decides to sanction you, your shelter has to give you a written notice that says what you did wrong. You have the right to a hearing before you are sanctioned.  Ask for a State fair hearing by calling 1-800-205-0110 or going to 14 Boerum Place in downtown Brooklyn.  Make sure you get “aid to continue,” which means you can stay in the shelter until the hearing is decided. You should also call Legal Aid right away at 1-800-649-9125 or go to the Coalition for the Homeless at 129 Fulton Street in lower Manhattan.

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LET US HELP YOU HELP YOUR KIDS

by Gary Shulman, M.S. Ed. Program Director and Training Coordinator, Resources for Children with Special Needs

Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc. is an information and advocacy center for parents and professionals who need help for children birth to 26 with any disability such as learning, emotional, developmental, physical, attention deficit disorder, health problems, vision, hearing and many more. We help find appropriate programs and services. Every year we hold 51 free workshops on various topics of interest. We also conduct a Special Camp Fair to help you learn about appropriate summer programs for children with disabilities. This year the Fair will be Saturday January 30, 2010 at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle (Columbus Ave. and W. 60th St.) from 11AM-3PM. For more information call us at 212-677-4650 or visit us at www.resourcesnyc.org . Also check out our searchable database at www.resourcesnycdatabase.org

Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc.
116 East 16th Street, 5th Floor,
New York, NY 10003
Tel (212) 677-4650 x20 / Fax (212) 254-4070

gshulman@resourcesnyc.org

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KEEP THIS IN YOUR “GETTING READY TO MOVE” FILE

Here’s a message to low income and unemployed New Yorkers from Connecting to Advantages:

Let us help you apply for these two good deals: HEAP and Verizon LIFELINE phone service.

HEAP is a $50 yearly lump sum for NYC renters. To qualify you must earn less than $2,567 for a family of two, $3,172 for a family of three, or receive SSI, Public Assistance or Food Stamps. If you qualify for HEAP, you automatically qualify for Verizon LIFELINE phone service which reduces your monthly phone bill to $2 to $5 for local service.

For information about applying for HEAP you can call (800) 692-0557 or (212) 227-2784. For information about applying for Verizon

LIFELINE, call (800) 799-6874 or (800) 555-5000.

Or you can go to one of Connecting to Advantages food pantry sites (listed below) where you’ll be assisted in applying for these benefits:

Our Lady of Sorrows, 213 Stanton Street (corner of Pitt and Stanton St) NYC 10002. (212) 673-0900. Wednesday 1:30 to 2:30 pm.

Metropolitan Community Church, 446 West 36th Street (9th-10th Ave), NYC 10018. (212) 629-7440. Thursday 9 to 9:30 am.

Mt. Zion AME Church, 1765 Madison Street, NYC 10011. (212) 369-6643. Friday 10 to 11 am.

St. Francis Xavier Welcome Table, 46 West 16th Street, NYC 10011. (212) 627-2100. 2nd Sat. of each month, 10 am to 12 noon.

Metro Baptist Church, 410 West 40 Street (9th – 10th Ave), NYC 10018. (212) 594-4464. Saturday 11 am. (no pantry if there’s a 5th Saturday in the month.)

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NYS-TEACHS provides assistance

NYS-TEACHS provides technical assistance to school districts, social service providers, shelters, families, youth and others about the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Our services include:

• A Toll Free Helpline for questions about school-related issues: 800-388-2014

• On-site trainings, online trainings, and annual conferences on the education of students in temporary housing; and

• Free Posters and Brochures in English and Spanish with information about the rights of students in temporary housing.

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END FALSE REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE (by Voices of Women Organizing Project (VOW))

VOW is starting a campaign to end false and malicious reporting of child abuse. False calls of abuse are made to the child abuse hotline as another form of domestic violence. If you are or have been a victim of this crime, please tell us your story.

The Voices of Women Organizing Project gives a voice to survivors of domestic violence, so that we can influence, change and improve the many systems battered women and their children rely on for safety and justice. Visit our website at: www.vowbwrc.org

Please send your story via email to: vowbwrc@aol.com or fax your story to: (212) 696-1482 or call our office (212) 696-1481 x102.

Voices of Women Organizing Project (VOW) is a grass roots organization of survivors of domestic violence who organize to improve policies and services for battered women and their children in New York City. VOW welcomes survivors who have been out of an abusive relationship for at least one year. For more information, call(212) 696-1481 or go to www.vowbwrc.org.