U.S (VOCAL NEW-YORK) : Caring for our Communities and Demanding Justice in COVID-19.

In this moment of uncertainty, we remain dedicated to keeping our community healthy, while continuing to fight for justice, compassion and love.

Our office is still open, but much of our staff has gone remote. In the coming days and weeks we hope to reach out to, and stay in contact with, our entire membership and broader community to promote good public health during this crisis, powerful advocacy, and ensure an accurate count in the 2020 US Census. 

But, do not wait to hear from us. If you are feeling anxious and need someone to talk to, click here to sign up for a more immediate call. If you have extra time on your hands and want to help out, even if from home, click here. And in this critical moment, please consider supporting our work. 

Moving forward we will be focused on three areas of work:

Community Care : Staying in touch with our community to educate them on COVID-19 preparedness and preparation without panic. For the vast majority of us, COVID-19 does not pose a serious health risk. But, we can all take steps to keep ourselves and our entire community safe, which will keep our public health system strong. Read our Tips for Staying Healthy & Safe Against COVID-19. Get information from the NYS Department of Health and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. For immediate updates on New York's response to #coronavirus: Text: “COVID” to 692692 (English), or “COVIDESP” to 692692 (Spanish).

2020 US Census : The US Census will determine how over $650 billion in federal funding for housing, healthcare, public education and more is allocated. It also impacts our political representation by determining how many members of Congress represent us. The great news is that you can complete the US Census at home by going to my2020Census.gov. Or you can do it over the phone at 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-468-2020 (Spanish). 

Demanding Justice and Care : We continue to wage powerful, people-led campaigns to end homelessness, mass incarceration, the AIDS epidemic, and the failed war on drugs that has fueled our overdose crisis. In recent days we have taken action to demand a moratorium on evictions, and justice for incarcerated people working for less than $1 a day to produce hand sanitizer. By staying in touch with our community, we will continue to identify inaction and denounce injustice to ensure all people are provided for in this critical moment. Including our continued fight opposing Governor Cuomo’s proposed austerity budget that will make massive cuts to our Medicaid system, and still could attempt to roll back last year’s historic bail reforms.

Let’s all stay healthy, safe and united in the fight for justice, equity, compassion and love during these uncertain times, and for the future.

P.S. - If you are reading and thinking, “but what about the critical city, state and federal elections and the impact they will have on our democracy?!” Click here to get involved

Alyssa Aguilera & Jeremy Saunders
Co-Executive Directors

VOCAL-NY

80-A Fourth Ave. | Brooklyn, NY 11217 | 718-802-9540 tel | 718-228-2477 fax