U.S (VOCAL NEW-YORK) : VOCAL-NY Guide to Your Week !

 

 

 

Upcoming Events.

Wednesday, January 19 @ 11AM : VOCAL-NY 2022 Statewide Budget & Legislative Platform Launch (Press Conference) : VOCAL-NY is holding a statewide press conference to begin public advocacy for our 2022 Budget and Legislative platform, all of the policies and budget demands that we have prioritized from each of our 4 issue-based unions. We will have two in-person gatherings for fully vaccinated member-leaders, but we are also holding this press conference over Zoom video conference.   Where : Zoom + in-Person in NYC and Albany  RSVP : Click here to get more details  Contact : Jawanza 917-488-4961, jawanza@vocal-ny.org     Wednesday, January 19 @ 6PM : Southern NY (Albany, Hudson Valley, & Westchester) General Membership Assembly : Join us for our monthly VOCAL-NY SNY general membership assembly.   Where : Zoom (Online or by phone). RSVP : Click here to join us! Contact : Luke 917-702-8781, Luke@vocal-ny.org

Week in Review.

On Saturday, January 15, New York’s eviction moratorium expired without action from Governor Hochul. The lapse happened while the state’s shelters are still burdened by COVID-19 and record-breaking numbers of people relying on shelters, peaking at 20,000 people relying on city shelters last year. Without the eviction moratorium, thousands more will be forced into state and city shelters, where they may spend years looking for permanent housing if the state does not act. As VOCAL-NY Housing Campaign Coordinator, Joseph Loonam, told the AP: “I think we’ll see in a year that the shelter system has grown exponentially because so many people will have entered after the eviction moratorium, and people will be staying in the system much longer than they have before.” It’s imperative Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, and Speaker Carl Heastie take action on this worsening crisis by passing Good Cause Eviction and the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP). VOCAL-NY leaders and members will continue pushing until there are better protections for tenants and people living in New York streets and shelters.

#VOCALVaccinated Updates

In December, VOCAL-NY joined the NY Vaccine Literacy Campaign and The Public Good Projects in hosting the townhall "How to Talk to Loved Ones About Getting Vaccinated." The virtual discussion took place just a the Omicron variant began spreading across the state of New York, a reminder of how important it is to help our loved ones make informed choices about protecting themselves with the vaccine.  The discussion featured panelists from different backgrounds, including : Joe Smyser, PhD, MSPH, CEO, The Public Good Projects Hiawatha Collins, Board Member, VOCAL-NY Yin Ting Fung, MA, Excluded Workers Fund Data & Intake Coordinator, Union Settlement Julian L. Watkins, MD, Health Equity Advisor, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Watch the recording of the full discussion here to learn different ways to have a conversation with loved ones about the vaccine !

What We're Reading.

New York Times : “Hochul Unveiled a Sweeping Vision for New York. Now Comes the Hard Part.” City Limits : “How Does New York State Come Up With a Budget? We Asked the Experts” Spectrum News : “Tenants, landlords anticipate statewide debate on eviction bill”

We're Hiring !   VOCAL-NY has open positions for dynamic individuals who are committed to building power among low-income people directly impacted by HIV/AIDS, the drug war, mass incarceration, and homelessness. Drug Policy Campaign Coordinator

Consider Donating Here

VOCAL-NY PO Box 170374 Brooklyn, NY 11217-1908 info@vocal-ny.org | 718-802-9540