Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 77

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ISSUE 77 VOLUME 18

Obama Warns about the Trappings of Social Media VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.CAWNYC.COM

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Obama on the extremes of social media The former President expressed concern about a future where facts are discarded and people only read and listen to things that reinforce their own views.

A firm supporter of the First Amendment, Obama said, “The question I think really has to do with how do we harness this technology in a way

ormer U.S. President Barack Obama has warned against the irresponsible use of social media, in a rare interview since stepping down from the U.S. presidency. He warned that such actions were distorting people's understanding of complex issues, and spreading misinformation. "All of us in leadership have to find ways in which we can recreate a common space on the internet," he said. Mr. Obama was quizzed by Prince Harry on BBC Radio 4's Today program.

WARNING: Your Citizenship Can Be Revoked ...see page 10

continued on page 18

Immigration 101: What is Family-based Immigration? ... see page 11

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace - It’s Not Just in Hollywood

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Jamaica’s PM: Time to Weed Out Corrupt Cops & Crime ...see page 2

BY MARILYN SILVERMAN

gly behavior has invaded the workplace environment and it doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon. Google the term sexual harassment in the workplace, and you’ll be overwhelmed by the avalanche of shocking stories in our nation’s newspapers of late. Who are the culprits? Powerful men in such high-profile fields as our respected seats of government and the glamorous world of show business. The names of

Cool Runnings 2, Yeah Mon! ...see page 14

continued on page 6

INSIDE: Are You Ready to Become a Home Owner? ... EQUITY SMART REALTY INSERT!

Bed-Sty Family Health Center Director Speaks on HIV/AIDS Initiatives ...see page 15

Sir Arthur Lewis Honored ...see page 2

Get Money for Your Business ...see page 9

Business, Real Estate & Wealth Building Expo Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 8:30am-4:00pm

For exhibiting and sponsorship information, please call 718-722-9217 or visit www.businessexponyc.com FREE to attend!

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Caribbean Consulates

Anguilla 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200

Antigua & Barbuda 305 East 47th Street, Suite 6A New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-541-4117

The Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-421-6420

Barbados 820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-551-4325

Belize 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-593-0999

Dominica 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400H New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-0853

Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-599-8478

Grenada 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1101 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-599-0301

Guyana 308 West 38th Street New York, N.Y. 10018 Tel: 212-947-5119

Haiti 815 Second Avenue,6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9767

Jamaica 767 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-935-9000

Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-838-6887

Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200

Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-840-2450

St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel: 212-535-5521

St. Lucia 800 Second Avenue, 9th Floor New York, N.Y. 10007 Tel: 212-697-9360 St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 800-786-2278

St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-687-4981 Trinidad & Tobago 125 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038 Tel: 212-682-7272

For more Consulate information go to www.cawnyc.com/directory

CARIBBEAN ROUNDUP

Weeding Out Corrupt Cops and Intensifying Crime Fight are Focus for Jamaica Government in 2018

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he Jamaica Government intends to intensify its crime fighting and pass legislation to weed out corrupt cops as a priority this year.

Following a year in which more than 1,500 people were murdered, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in his New Year’s message that given the current crime situation, it is without question that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) needs critical institutional reform to be able to effectively lead the fight against crime.

“This year the Government intends to table new legislation to define a trans-

formed police service. This new legislation will replace the current JCF Act and focus, among other things, on preserving the integrity of the men and women who serve, to ensure that corruption within the ranks of the police services does not compromise the ability of the force to fight crime,” he said.

“We will also pass the MOCA [Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency] Act and table the National Security Act which will create a more coordinated framework for all agencies operating within the national security space.”

The UWI Honors Its First Vice-Chancellor

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Jamaica: The INGSTON, University of the West Indies (UWI) has declared January 23, 2018, “W Arthur Lewis Day”, in honor of its first Vice-Chancellor.

As UWI celebrates its 70th anniversary, its Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) will commemorate the work of Sir Arthur, and celebrate 70 years of research contributions to economic policy and process in the Caribbean.

Sir Arthur, a St Lucian-born economist, was a Nobel Prize Laureate (1979) as well as a former President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

His legacy surrounds pioneering research in economic growth and development—particularly involving developing countries.

Although the Institute named in his honor was established in August 1999, its origins stem from 1948 when the

Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) was founded. ISER later merged with the Consortium Graduate School of Social Sciences (CGSSS) in 1985, and was later renamed after Lewis.

W. Arthur Lewis Day will see a series of events hosted across the University’s Cave Hill, Mona and St. Augustine campuses, including forums to discuss the current relevance of Lewis’ work amid the economic challenges facing the region.l

Barbados’ Largest Public Sector Union to Follow Through on Strike Threat

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RIDGETOWN, Barbados: The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) has announced it will embark on a public sector strike, following the failure of the Freundel Stuart-led administration to respond to its pay concerns.

Speaking to the media after NUPW executives met with shop stewards, union president Akanni McDowall said he was disappointed with the Government’s lack of response, while emphasizing that the NUPW was prepared to fight to the bitter end for pay increases for its members.

“We would have given the Government an ultimatum to conclude salary negotiations by January 15…We also told them that if they did not do so we would go full on into industrial action. Unfortunately,

the Government has chosen not to respond, so therefore the union is left with no choice but to take industrial action,” he said, though stopping just short of announcing precisely when the planned protests would begin and how widespread the action would be.

The NUPW boss did say, however, that all options were on the table. He also stressed that the time for talk was over and it would take much more than an invitation to get them to return to the negotiation table with the Government.

“All gloves are off. [...]We are prepared to do whatever is necessary to conclude salary negotiations,” he said.

The NUPW president also hinted at the involvement of sister trade unions in the protests.l

Holness also said 2018 must be the year when the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) are scaled up “to reclaim communities that have been captured by criminals”. Under ZOSOs – the first of which was declared in Mount Salem and its environs in the parish of St James, in September last year – police are given special power to stop, search and detain citizens without a warrant in designated areas.

In his address, the Prime Minister also identified the illegal importation of firearms as a national emergency and a threat to Jamaica’s security.l

Former T&T President Dies; and Historical Next Head of State

Richards

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Weekes

ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: On the same day both the Opposition and Government in Trinidad and Tobago agreed on the country having its first female president, Paula-Mae Weekes, a former head of state passed away after suffering cardiac arrest.

Professor George Maxwell Richards, the twin-island republic’s fourth president, died at the age of 86.

He served as President from 2003 to 2013.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said Trinidad and Tobago had lost a muchloved son of the soil.

“One would be hard-pressed to ever be part of or overhear a conversation where the name ‘Max Richards’ is mentioned and not hear the admiration that people had for his love of culture and his down to earth nature,” he said.

The late president will be given a state funeral.

Earlier in the day, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar had announced that her party would support the Government’s nominee of Paula-Mae Weekes to replace the current president, Anthony Carmona, when he demits office in March.l

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EDITORIAL

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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BY VICTORIA FALK, VP, AAICC

hen we set aside time to remember Dr. King’s legacy, we quickly remember the famed march on Washington and his infamous “I Have a Dream” speech. We remember the preacher who became a major leader in the Civil Rights Movement. But let’s not forget his activities touched on the economic conditions of the African-American community and suggested the need for entrepreneurship.

When Dr. King spoke to AfricanAmericans about social and economic injustices taking place in society, he urged them not to wait for economic change. Instead, he urged them to create the economic change they wanted to see.

This was a call to African-Americans to develop businesses that would in turn

open up employment opportunities for others in the community.

Many African-Americans like the idea of business ownership, but are hesitant due to the risks involved with starting a new business. Dr. King said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase.” Know that you don’t have to struggle on your own. The New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) is here to assist you at each

stage of business development: whether you’re starting a brand new business, want to grow an existing business, or if you're a seasoned entrepreneur who wants to learn ways to stay ahead of your competition.

“There is nothing in all the world greater than freedom…,”,said Dr. King. Surely he was including the time freedom and financial freedom that entrepreneurship can bring into that discussion. If you’re ready to turn your dream of becoming an entrepreneur into a reality, contact NACC at (718) 722-9217, or visit www.nacc.nyc Let's keep Dr. King’s dream alive.l Victoria Falk is the Vice President of the African-American International Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Passionate Travel.

An Insult to One, Is an Insult to All of Us

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BY JANET HOWARD

ake up America. Wake up world. The president of the United States of America, the most powerful country in the world is a you know what, (sorry Michelle [Obama] for going lower and not higher). When Donald Trump spews out insults, derogatory and racist remarks, why are we so shocked? The man from the moment he began his campaign has been a consistent, pungent and racist jerk. What did mainstream media do? They gave him a platform, a free voice to put his vile messages out there.

As we all know, President Trump recently balked at an immigration deal that would include protections for people from Haiti and some nations in Africa, demanding to know at a White House meeting why he should accept immigrants from “shithole countries” rather than from places like Norway, according to people with direct knowledge of the conversation.

Trump’s remarks, the latest example of

his penchant for racially tinged remarks denigrating immigrants, left members of Congress from both parties attending the meeting in the Oval Office alarmed and mystified. He made them during a discussion of an emerging bipartisan deal to give legal status to immigrants illegally brought to the United States as children, those with knowledge of the conversation said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the meeting.

When Trump heard that Haitians were among those who would benefit from the proposed deal, he asked whether they could be left out of the plan, asking, “Why do we want people from Haiti here?”

The comments were reminiscent of ones the President made last year in an Oval Office meeting with cabinet officials and administration aides, during which he complained about admitting Haitians to the country, saying that they all had AIDS, as well as Nigerians, who he said would never go back to their “huts,” according to officials who heard the statements in person or were briefed

on the remarks by people who had.

CARICOM, African leaders and others including Mia Love, a Utah Republican and the only Haitian-American in Congress, called on President Donald Trump to apologize after reports said he questioned why the United States was allowing immigrants from “s---hole countries” like Haiti, El Salvador and African nations.

“The President’[s] comments are unkind, divisive, elitist, and fly in the face of our nation’s values,” Love said in a statement, noting that her parents, Mary and Jean Maxime Bourdeau, emigrated from Haiti and made their home in America. “This behavior is unacceptable from the leader of our nation.”

You know, we have to give credit to Trump. He has been open and honest about who he is and how he feels about non-whites. Alarmed and mystified, really? Disgusted and insulted, definitely.

Make no mistake; an insult to Haiti and African nations is an insult to all of us: Caribbean countries, all minorities, all non-whites. That’s the message there.l

TEAM

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My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. —Hosea 4:6 Publisher I.Q. INC.

Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq. Assistant Editor Marilyn Silverman

Graphic & Website Designer Praim Samsoondar

Contributors Emily Creighton Leslie Dellon Ginita Wall Stephanie K Tatyana Bellamy-Walker Marcia Stewart Victoria Falk Jacqueline Wielick Elias Gebrehiwot Anna Núñez Email cariaweekly@aol.com Telephone 718-771-0988

Website www.cawnyc.com Feel the warmth of the Caribbean on your fingertips. Connect. Visit our website at www.cawnyc.com for daily news and more!

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CIVIL RIGHTS

Roy Moore and That Slavery Remark

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BY TRAVIS MORALES

oy Moore, an openly anti-immigrant, homophobic, anti-Muslim, racist, anti-women‘s rights, rightwing Christian fundamentalist fascist barely lost the December 12 election for the U.S. Senate from Alabama. Not insult or exaggeration, this is who he is.

Donald Trump said that he needed Roy Moore in the U.S. Senate. Who is the 70year-old former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama Roy Moore, why is he so dangerous and why did Donald Trump vigorously support him?

Listen to Moore’s words.

In a September speech during Roy Moore’s Senate campaign, an AfricanAmerican man asked when he thought America was last great. Moore replied, “I think it was great at the time when families were united—even though we had slavery—they cared for one another…. Our families were strong, our country had a direction.” What do you mean families were united and strong?! For over 200 years, African-American slaves, living and breathing human beings, were bred and raised like livestock, then routinely, wives, husbands and children separated, sold down the river, children never to be seen again, ripping families apart. African-American women were constantly and continuously raped by their masters and overseers. African-

American men, women and children were worked in the fields from “can’t see in the morning til can’t see at night”, whipped when they did not pick enough or move quickly enough. Roy Moore, is this the direction the country had that was so great and to which you want to return?

Moore was interviewed on rightwing radio show in June of 2011. Moore commented about the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, passed after the U.S. Civil War. Former states of the slave holding Confederacy were required to ratify it in order to rejoin the Union. It gave citizenship to all former slaves and African-American people and provided equal protection of the law, along with other protections. Moore said, "Yeah, it had very serious problems with its approval by the states." One of the rightwing interviewers said he wanted to see

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that voided all of the amendments after the Tenth Amendment. Moore replied, "That would eliminate many problems…

You know people don't understand how some of these amendments have completely tried to wreck the form of government that our forefathers intended.”

Moore is partly correct. His forefathers intended a form of government based on white supremacy and slavery. A bloody civil war lasting four years, and righteously fought, was required to end the barbarism of slavery. He would eliminate the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery and the 15th Amendment that prohibited the federal and state governments from denying citizens the right to vote based on that person's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude," among others.

Think about what Moore is saying!

Slavery was one of the most towering crimes of this country, among countless crimes, and this monster feels sentimental about those days. In his mind, when slavery was abolished, America began losing its moral way. This racist unrepentant white supremacist comes all the way out with his REAL thinking.

Not a single major figure in the Trump/Pence regime denounced Moore, or even mildly criticized him. As a matter-of-fact, Moore faced no real opposition even from the Democrats. Donald Trump threw his support to him and the Republican National Committee poured money into Alabama to support his campaign! Why did they support Moore?

His anti-immigrant, homophobic, antiMuslim, white supremacist racist and anti-women‘s fascist program is their program. This is the future they have for us and are moving quickly to consolidate. THIS is what drives and sparks the fascist Trump/Pence regime and their supporters, and they are not going to stop until they ARE stopped—by masses of people in the streets saying that this whole rotten regime must be driven out. l

Travis Morales is a long-time revolutionary and is on the Steering Committee of RefuseFascism.org NYC.

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DIASPORA CONCERNS

Digital Diabetes Coaching Startup: A Follow-up

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ccording to the American Diabetes Association, it can be hard to grasp the scale of our ever-growing diabetes epidemic. Let’s put it in perspective.

If diabetes was a state, its population would be bigger than that of Texas, bigger than Florida, and bigger than New York. The number of people with diabetes continues to increase in the U.S. – every 21 seconds someone new is diagnosed.

With all these alarming statistics, Caribbean American Weekly caught up again with Dacia Bryant founder and Chief Health Officer of A One C LifeBox, a digital diabetes coaching and support platform that helps people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) get healthier.

Since our last update, what have you been up to?

When we talked last, we were just getting traction by initially focusing on individuals who were suffering with T2D. We since made improvements to our infrastructure to allow us to offer an enterprise service for hospitals, insurers and any other organizations that have a large T2D population.

How exactly do you help them?

If you take a hospital client for example, most have a large or growing T2D base of patients. These hospitals are being crushed by diabetes-related costs.

Whether it is related to patients using the ER as primary care, frequent readmissions or longer hospital bed stays.

Hospital systems want healthier patients, and they also know that healthier patients are less of a strain on resources.

Supporting T2D patients with education and resources to keep them out of the ER is the goal.

Before you came along, what was being done?

Currently, there are policies and practices that just are not working to reach the most vulnerable populations with diabetes.

One of our advisors shared a story about how he and his family discovered that a sick relative had stowed away years of unused diabetes medicine under her bed. Something in the medical channel of diabetes treatment is not working.

Diabetes is not a Death Sentence

Usually, there is not enough in budgets to hire sufficient diabetes experts to meet this growing need, and technology alone does not work for many communities.

But we feel that with the right kind of technology, with the right kind of human touch and the right kind of incentives, we can do a much better job of delivering healthier outcomes

What has the medical community missed about minority communities in particular?

What we hear on the front lines of diabetes is that there is a disconnect between doctors and patients. Until patients can trust the medical process, or feel like their doctor understands their culture and their foods, not much improvement can be made.

That’s why we are pleased at the response we have gotten from our culturally sensitive diabetes curriculum, which is just one of the components of our program. It supports the growing body of research that highlights the value of a culturally sensitive approach around diabetes support.

Why do you think you can make a difference?

If you cannot understand the basic reason for a problem, how can you solve that problem? Many policies focus on the symptom, but not the cause. We know that Blacks and Hispanics have worse medication adherence rates than the general population, which is already a low number. We believe we can make a difference because we understand the problem and our solution speaks to each part of the problem.

I used to be in and out of the Emergency Room last year dealing with my diabetes. My doctor did the best she could with the time she had. At times, I felt like I just wanted to give up.

Things got better for me when I got on the A ONE C LifeBox program. They taught me how to understand my blood sugar readings and how to eat better. They are my guardian angels watching over me so when my numbers go astray, they come in just in time. The best thing is I learn on my own schedule.

Today, I have the confidence, the tools, the knowledge and the ongoing support to make healthier choices and live a better life.

What are your eventual goals?

As we continue to serve individual patients, we would like to secure a growing list of hospital clients and integrate our diabetes coaching and support platform with any hospital or insurer who understands the value we bring to a partnership.

Scan this code to schedule a FREE Initial Consultation

Every hospital should be using A ONE C LifeBox.

To learn more about how we help deliver healthier population metrics for your patients please call at 212.390.8114 or contact us at

info@aoneclifebox.com

Digital Diabetes Coaching & Support www.aoneclifebox.com

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Figeroux & Associates

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FAMILY MATTERS

Take the Money Conflict Scale Quiz

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BY CANDACE BAHR & GINITA WALL

hen it comes to money and marriage, do you and your honey talk through issues? Or scream about them? Or just ignore them?

Communicating clearly about money is critical, so take this quiz to see how you score on the money conflict scale.

Quiz Instructions Write the numbers 1 through 10 on a sheet of paper.

Record your answer (A, B or C) for each question.

See SCORING at the bottom of this quiz.

1.When you go shopping together for household items, you: a.stick to the list you created before you left home. b.have a “heated discussion” over luxuries you each want. c.don’t go shopping together–for good reason.

2.You’ve had yet another fight about money. This happens: a.occasionally b.about once a month c.at least a couple of times a week

3.When there’s a pile of unpaid bills, you and your honey: a.sit down together at a set time and calmly take care of business.

b.fight about who’s supposed to pay what and when. c.avoid them until the collection calls start coming in.

4.When the conversation turns to money, you: a.have an open, honest discussion. b.discover that at least one of you doesn’t know what the other is spending. c.try, often unsuccessfully, to avoid raising your voice.

5.Responsibility for household budgeting is: a.divided in a way that works for both of you. b.a burden on either you or your partner. c.a source of constant disagreement.

6.You make the decision to go out for a nice meal in a restaurant because: a.you’ve budgeted a certain amount each week for “date night.” b.you were both too tired to cook. c.you both find it too hard to plan ahead.

7.When choosing a vacation, you: a.decide on a destination that fits within your budget that your partner will enjoy. b.have conflicting goals and settle for second best because you can’t seem to find the right location. c.plan separate trips.

8.If you find a letter from a collection agency in the mail, you are upset

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because: a.you don’t know why you got the letter when you are paying all of your bills on time. b.you wonder if there is something your partner hasn’t told you. c.you can’t believe that your partner has run up bills without telling you again.

good work by continuing to share the good news as well as the bad in an open, honest, and direct way.

10.Your financial future as a couple is: a.so bright, you’ve got to wear shades. b.a bit disorganized, but rosy overall. c.Future? What future?

If you answered mostly C: You and your partner have a high degree of dysfunctional communication. You either argue constantly about money, or are silent on important matters, which simply communicates that one or both of you is tired of discussing it. Maintaining a joint financial life requires that you work together with your partner to achieve your goals. Ask a caring outsider to help you improve your communication skills with your partner and to mediate on issues where communication has completely broken down.l

9.When you receive a small inheritance check in the mail that your partner doesn’t know about, you: a.call your sweetie immediately with the good news. b.decide how you are going to spend it and then tell your partner your plans. c.put it in your secret account.

Scoring: Count the number of answers of each type: A. ______ B. ______ C. ______

Rating: If you answered mostly A: You and your partner have a high degree of healthy communication about money.

You are generally content with your level of financial communication. Keep up the

If you answered mostly B: Money is definitely a source of conflict between you and your sweetie. Be sure that you are creating problems by anticipating them. Present information to your partner in a non-confrontational, factual manner. Try to make allowances for your partner’s concerns and hot buttons. If you can’t seem to make any headway, contact a third party, such as a financial planner or a credit counselor to help you build healthy money habits and resolve any long-standing sources of tension.

Reprinted with persmission.Candace Bahr & Ginita Wall are the founders of wife.org

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Sexual Harassment/ continued from page 1

your harassers may also be Harvey but not Harvey Weinstein. It might be Harvey the manager of the cleaning business where you clean offices, or Harvey the restaurant manager where you’re a waitress.

During a radio interview with our Editor-in-Chief, Pearl Phillip on Ask the Lawyer, Michael Rojas, Outreach Education Coordinator, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, succinctly pointed out the warning signs.

“If someone is constantly asking you for a date and you told them, ‘no,’ but they then take it to the next level and they may say, ‘why don’t you want to date me? You date this person,’ and you say,’ I don’t appreciate that conversation,’ and he constantly continues to do that, that’s when you get to the pervasive level where its unwelcome…we…did…a Task Force [on the Study of Harassment in the Workplace]…60% of the harassment goes unreported…people feel they’ll be retaliated …won’t be taken seriously…another example. Luisa …a customer service rep… after a [company] dinner her supervisor offers to drive her home and during the ride tells her he thinks she’s beautiful and asks her to have sex with him. She says, ‘no.’ When she goes to work the next day he…says, ‘you have a new schedule’…she finds her name has been removed from the schedule for several weeks.”

In our high school and college years, romantic relationships develop between

male and female students whereby male students ask the female students on a date.

But as to be expected, not every female student will say, ‘yes’; the male student will simply accept this and move on without the desire to hurt anyone. But on our jobs the word no is not accepted; the desire to hurt is on the to-do list instead.

We go to work to help our husbands pay rent, buy groceries, and pay for our children’s college education, for that car, for that vacation, for that winter coat, not to be harassed sexually. When we go on that job interview, we ascertain that our resume is professional, that our attire is professional. We don’t expect to hear that the job duties involve the acceptance of sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is a rampant epidemic affecting us all whether you carry a briefcase to your corporate job in an office tower and drive to work, or carry a backpack with your lunch as you insert your Metrocard and take the F train to your job in a fast-food restaurant. You deserve to be treated with respect and be able to complain when necessary. You were hired to do a job, six figures or hourly.

Suzane Goldberg, Director, Center for Gender and Sexuality, Columbia Law School, outlines what exactly constitutes sexual harassment today: It includes suggestive remarks and gestures, requests for sexual favors, touches, hugs, kisses, and coerced sex acts. The guilty, offending party could be a manager, a colleague, a client, a contractor, anybody. If after saying, ‘no’ and you want to pursue the case, which you should do, remember to main-

tain copious notes. Were you touched inappropriately? What words were said?

Were there any witnesses? Any evidence?

Save everything; discard nothing. Did you confide in a friend, a family, a colleague?

Business Insider tells you how to differentiate between innocent workplace antics which is acceptable, and sexual harassment which in not acceptable. Ask yourself: is this creating a hostile work milieu? If your answer is in the affirmative, you are a victim.

Ellen Brava, co-author of the appropriately named The 9-5 Guide to Combatting Sexual Harassment, delineates additional telltale signs: if someone stands too close to you and speaks in an intimate fashion; says something about your body that makes you squirm; asks about your sexual experiences; boasts about their own personal experiences; and tries to persuade you to talk about a sexually charged film or song. Here’s some more examples from Equal Rights: nAre they disseminating gossip about your sexual life within the office? nAre they menacing you for refusing sexual advances? nAre they staring at your body?

If retaliation ensues after you say no, you are protected by our laws. What kind of retaliation can you expect? You can be fired, denied a promotion, demoted, given a poor performance assessment, or reassigned to a less desirable position, shift or location.

As per The Balance, some more representative examples of sexual harassment:

HOT TOPIC

sharing sexually inappropriate images or videos; sending suggestive letters, notes or emails; displaying inappropriate sexual posters; and relating obscene jokes or sharing sexual anecdotes.

What is the justification for the manifestation of such behavior and why do men have the audacity to do this to their colleagues or subordinates? Shaun Burn, psychology professor, California Polytechnic State University, says it is sometimes utilized to dominate, disenpower and discourage women in heretofore male-dominated professions; e.g., the military, technology and politics. This is done to protect their occupational territory.

Regarding how companies can address this problem—Inc. says to first and foremost, implement sexual harassment policies and make certain your staff is aware of its provisions—implement a no tolerance policy with an outline of disciplinary action and make available, mental health practitioners and experts on sexual harassment.

Should women be compelled to endure sexual harassment in the workplace? No Should women be afraid to complain? No Can it be stopped: Yes. Are only highprofile women its victims? No. Is it illegal? Yes. Is it creating a hostile work environment: Yes The ogre of domestic violence perpetuated by men, was once upon a time behind closed doors; now the ogre of sexual harassment also perpetuated by men, is also fortunately, no longer behind closed doors. l

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BUSINESS

Get Money for Your Business

I

BY MARILYN SILVERMAN

t costs money to start a business. And, unless you are one of the fortunate ones to be born with a silver spoon or trust fund, getting money to fund your American dream can quickly become a nightmare. Funding your business is one of the first — and most important — financial choices most business owners make. How you choose to fund your business could affect how you structure and run your business.

The savvy-up entrepreneur is aware of the fact that the traditional bank is no longer the only entity out there that will pump much-needed cash into their business enterprise. And there are a whole lot of men and women out there who are in need of money to launch their dream business. As per the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in 2010, a few short years ago, an astronomical 27.9 million people within the perimeters of our nation fit into this category of small businesses.

If you want to retain complete control of your business, but don’t have enough funds to start, consider a small business loan. To increase your chances of securing a loan, you should have a business plan, expense sheet, and financial projections for the next five years. These tools will give you an idea of how much you'll need

to ask for, and will help the bank know they’re making a smart choice by giving you a loan.

Once you have your materials ready, contact banks and credit unions to request a loan. You’ll want to compare offers to get the best possible terms for your loan.

If and when the bank says no, discouragement and disappointment and frustration need not ensue as you see your vision of business ownership smashed to smithereens. There are other options.

Creativity is the name of the game. First there are angel investors, affluent individuals who are always on a hunting expedition for promising start-ups. This is a 2-

Why Join Our Chamber?

Because membership in our Chamber offers numerous benefits and keeps business owners on top of important, ever-changing issues and trends within their community and local marketplace.

reasons to join: lBrings credibility to your business lIncreases your visibility in the community lCreates networking opportunities lGain a voice in government lMake business contacts lReceive Chamber newsletters lAcquire customer referrals lAttend Chamber events and programs lBenefit from promotion and publicity lFree small business consultations

Become a Chamber member today.

Call 718-722-9217 or visit www.nacc.nyc

Time to take your business to the next level!

way street. In exchange for their investment they will require a percentage of return on their investment. Mark D. Salvio, CEO, Semaphore, says, “You are likely to get an investor who has strategic experience so they can provide tactical benefits to the company they are investing in.” Simultaneously they can offer financial aid and business know-how since they are often former business owners themselves.

This century has witnessed a phenomenal metamorphosis with the introduction of technology into every nook and cranny of our lives. With crowdfunding where you post high-quality videos on the web

9

detailing your business idea, you can raise a relatively small amount of money from a gargantuan number of people. A cautionary note however; this puts your product/service in the public domain. If your predilection is to keep your idea confidential, this is not a viable option.

Before you look anywhere, friends and family can be your personal bankers.

Pepperdine University says that 68% of respondents to a survey they conducted, rang the doorbells of friends and family.

Risky behavior? Of course. Undeniably if your company fails or if you are dragging your feet with repayments, this can have a detrimental impact on your relationship with these important people in your lives.

Don’t fret. Simply delineate in a written document all the pertinent data, e.g., amounts to be borrowed and repayment schedules. A written document is a prerequisite, not merely a handshake and a smile.

Obviously there are pros and cons relative to these out of the box alternatives to the traditional bank. Remember to do your due diligence before you make any decisions.

Is starting a business easy? No. Can starting a business be profitable? Yes. Can you get funding for your business even if your neighborhood bank that knows you since you were a child flat out turns you down? Yes. Call the Chamber today at 718-722-9217 to schedule an appointment to get money for your business!l

Victoria Falk CEO, Passionate Travel VP, AAICC

Ready to join our Chamber?

Keep in mind, however, that you can’t just be a member of the Chamber to reap the benefits of Chamber membership.

Paying your annual dues just isn’t enough.

You must also make an investment of time and effort in Chamber activities and become involved. Simply put, what you get out of Chamber membership is directly relative to what you put in.

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10

IMMIGRATION

Warning: Your Citizenship Can Be Revoked

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hen aliens apply for U.S. citizenship, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) obtains information about their immigration history through fingerprint records.

USCIS granted U.S. citizenship to at least 858 individuals ordered deported or removed under another identity when, during the naturalization process, their digital fingerprint records were not available. The digital records were not available because although USCIS procedures require checking applicants’ fingerprints against both the Department of Homeland Security’s and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) digital fingerprint repositories, neither contains all old fingerprint records. Not all old records were included in the DHS repository when it was being developed.

Further, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified, about

148,000 older fingerprint records that have not been digitized of aliens with final deportation orders or who are criminals or fugitives. The FBI repository is also missing records because, in the past, not all records taken during immigration encounters were forwarded to the FBI. As long as the older fingerprint records have not been digitized and included in the repositories, USCIS risks making naturalization decisions without complete information and, as a result, naturalizing additional individuals who may be ineligible for citizenship or who may be try-

ing to obtain U.S. citizenship fraudulently.

As naturalized citizens, these individuals retain many of the rights and privileges of U.S. citizenship, including serving in law enforcement, obtaining a security clearance, and sponsoring other aliens’ entry into the United States. ICE has investigated few of these naturalized citizens to determine whether they should be denaturalized, but is now taking steps to increase the number of cases to be investigated, particularly those who hold positions of public trust and who have

Re-Registration Period Now Open for Haitians with TPS

Employment Authorization for Haitians with TPS Automatically Extended Until July 21, 2018

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A S H I N G T O N , D C : U . S .

Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under Haiti’s designation who want to maintain that status through the program’s termination date of July 22, 2019, must re-register between Jan. 18, 2018, and Mar.19, 2018. Re-registration procedures, including how to renew employment authorization documentation, have been published in the Federal Register and on uscis.gov/tps.

All applicants must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status. Applicants may also request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by submitting a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, at the time of filing Form I-821, or separately at a later date. Both forms are free for download on USCIS’ website at uscis.gov/tps.

USCIS will issue new EADs with a July 22, 2019, expiration date to eligible Haitian TPS beneficiaries who timely reregister and apply for EADs. Given the

timeframes involved with processing TPS re-registration applications, however, USCIS is automatically extending the validity of EADs that show an expiration date of Jan. 22, 2018, for 180 days through July 21, 2018. Additionally, individuals who have EADs with an expiration date of July 22, 2017, and who applied for a new EAD during the last reregistration period but have not yet received their new EADs are also covered by this automatic extension. These individuals may show their EAD indicating a July 22, 2017, expiration date and their EAD application receipt (Notice of Action, Form I-797C) that notes the application was received on or after May 24, 2017, along with this statement, to employers as proof of continued employment authorization through July 21,

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On Nov. 20, 2017, former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke determined that disaster-related conditions in Haiti, upon which the country’s original designation was based, no longer supported its designation for TPS and announced the termination of the status. The Acting Secretary made her decision to terminate TPS for Haiti after reviewing country conditions and consulting with appropriate U.S. government agencies. She also delayed the effective date of the termination for 18 months from the current expiration date of Jan. 22, 2018, to allow time for an orderly transition. As a result of the delayed effective date, Haiti’s TPS designation will end on July 22, 2019. l

security clearances.

If USCIS confirms that an applicant received a final deportation order under a different identity, and there are no other circumstances to provide eligibility, USCIS policy requires denial of naturalization. Also, USCIS may refer the applicant’s case to (ICE) for investigation.

Likewise, if a naturalized citizen is discovered to have been ineligible for citizenship, ICE may investigate the circumstances and refer the case to the Department of Justice for revocation of citizenship. l

If you have any questions or doubts about your citizenship, call the Law Office of Figeroux and Associates now for a FREE consultation. Call 855-768-8845 NOW!

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11

IMMIGRATION

Immigration 101: What is Family-Based Migration (or so-called ‘Chain Migration’)?

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BY ANNA NÚÑEZ, AMERICA’S VOICE

he Family-Based Immigrant Visa program has been around since the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 and allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to bring in their immediate relatives to the U.S. This law did away with the racially discriminatory national origins quota system from the 1920s.

Through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. permanent residents (or “green card” holders) can sponsor their spouses and unmarried children for permanent residence. U.S. citizens can petition for residence for their parents, siblings, and married adult children. There are 480,000 family-based visas available every year.

Donald Trump wants to restrict familybased migration, but it’s already hard enough: at the current rate of visa distribution, families are forced to wait years or decades before being able to reunite with family members.

Donald Trump and family-based immigration Family-based migration is sometimes referred to as “chain migration” by opponents who want to cast it in a threatening

light. This is a misleading, inaccurate, and derogatory term used by Donald Trump and other anti-immigrant extremists to slander immigrants who want to reunite with their families.

Trump has called family-based migration an instrument for terrorism, which is completely false. He and other rightwing Republicans have also referred to family-based migration as a backdoor method for legalizing the undocumented, which is also false. For example, a U.S. citizen who marries a Mexican national who entered without inspection likely would not be able to sponsor him through family-based channels, because those who enter the U.S. without documents are required to return to their home countries and wait 10 years before

they can obtain a visa.

Furthermore, because there are only a certain number of family-based visas available every year, the waiting process to obtain one can be very long.

According to the New York Times, more than 3.9 million people from around the world are currently waiting in line for immigrant visas, and many have been waiting for decades.

Donald Trump said he wants to replace the current family-based immigration policy with a so-called merit-based system. The idea is to have potential immigrants judged on a point scale, with points doled out for education, existing knowledge of the English language, a firm job offer, and other criteria. Put simply, “merit-based immigration” in

Trump-speak is code for “English-speaking, educated, affluent, and white.”

The goal of this policy is twofold. Not only do proponents hope to slow-down the “browning” of America, but they also want to reduce the overall number of immigrants coming to the U.S. This is in line with the far-right immigration playbook and immigration restrictionists’ long-time goals of decreasing legal as well as undocumented immigration.

Trump currently backs the RAISE Act, a bill sponsored by Sens. Tom Cotton (RAR) and David Perdue (R-GA) which would limit visa sponsorship to spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens while implementing a point-based merit system to prioritize skilled workers. The number of family-based visas would be cut in half, and immigrant family reunifications would be made much more difficult.

Trump’s opposition to family-based immigration is interesting, considering how much his own family has benefitted from the policy he is attempting to modify. His Scottish-born mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, and grandfather, Friedrich Trump, followed their siblings to America. Trump’s German-born grandmother, Elizabeth Christ, also continued on page 12

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12

Immigration 101/ continued from page 11

arrived in America using family ties.

And, Trump’s own foreign-born wife, Melania, helped her Slovenia-born parents live in the United States. As Columbia University historian Mae M. Ngai noted, “Donald Trump is a product of ‘chain migration.’”

The economics of family-based immigration “The contributions of family-based immigrants to the U.S. economy, local communities, and the national fabric are manifold. They account for a significant portion of domestic economic growth, contribute to the well-being of the current and future labor force, play a key role in business development and community improvement, and are among the most upwardly mobile segments of the labor force”, reports the American Immigration Council.

According to the Council, relatives sponsored through family-based immigration help their family members with child care and provide other household assistance, facilitating greater workforce participation for those who hired them.

Their family members provide them with resources and information not provided to other new immigrants, allowing them to quickly adjust to American life. And they often have high employment rates and high earnings growth, allowing them

Trump is a product of “chain migration” to contribute to the U.S. economy and their communities.

A prime example of the successful achievement of the “American Dream” by an immigrant entrepreneur is John Tu (ranked No. 87 on the Forbes 400 list) who came to the U.S. via family-based immigration. Tu successfully created billions in wealth with his company ,Kingston Technology, and – in a rare move generating worldwide attention – after selling his company, distributed $100 million in profits in bonuses to his American employees. Ranging from $100,000 to $300,000, Tu’s generosity proved life-changing for funding the “American Dreams” of his employees and their children.

Trump’s move to create a less familyfriendly admissions policy would have serious negative implications to our nation’s economy, as noted by economist Harriet Duleep: Family visas are…an important complement to high-skilled visas; skilled immigrants have families too. In considering which country to move to, will an emigrating scientist be more likely to move to a country where his family members, including siblings, parents, and adult children, can also live, or to a country where only certain family mem-

bers are welcome? Would Einstein have continued to live in the U.S. had he not been able to bring over his sister Maja? A family-friendly policy may be one reason the U.S. has been able to attract immigrants with stellar qualifications.

The emotional benefits of family-based immigration Of course, family-friendly policies are also important to Americans and to the U.S. independent of economic benefits.

As Jen Smyers of Church World Service recently said: Being able to see your family members, hold your children, and live with your family are the most basic of family values. That is what is being attacked by proposals that would redefine family under U.S. immigration law and keep U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents from sponsoring their parents, siblings, and even children….To redefine family and prevent family reunification would not only devastate individuals’ lives, it would turn our backs as a nation to our collective future and invalidate our claim to prioritize family values.

Policy experts have repeatedly defended family-based immigration. The White House’s rhetoric about ending “chain migration” in exchange for a possible

IMMIGRATION

DACA deal “is reminiscent of what brought about shameful moments in history like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1992 or Japanese incarceration during World War II,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC). He further stated the proposed immigration cuts “are completely counter to what our nation values the most – family, which is the cornerstone of the community. Lawmakers who purport to be for family values should value families.”

AAJC recently spearheaded a sign-on letter in Support of Family Immigration, Diversity Visas, and Refugees, in which it reminded congressional leaders that the currently family-based immigration system established by the INA of 1965, was created to end previous racist national origin quotas heavily favoring Northern and Western Europe. Yang also expressed concern that a “merit-based system” will reduce the parity of women in the workplace by prioritizing the “immigration of men over women due to gender discrimination in other countries where women do not have equal opportunities.”

In short, our current system of familybased immigration is beneficial to the U.S. economically as well as emotionally. Americans value united families, and Congress should honor that by ignoring Trump’s rhetoric and protecting familybased immigration policies.l

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NEWS 13

NEWS

nHEALTH

nENTERTAINMENT

nRELATIONSHIPS

nRECIPES

nSPORTS

nDINING

Wellness begins at Home: 5 Kitchen Corner Tips for a Healthier, Happier Cast Iron Honey-Sriracha Glazed with Roasted Root Vegetables Home

F

rom diets to exercise routines to standing at our desks while we work, we do a lot to stay healthy.

Most of the time this involves focusing on what we eat and how we move. No doubt this is an essential component to good health, but increasingly, people are realizing their home environment can have a big impact on their mood, their health and how they feel.

The following are five changes in your home environment that can have the biggest impact on your overall well-being.

1. Declutter. Over the years, the stuff we own starts to pile up. Most of it we don't need, but it's hard to get rid of a lot of things. Maybe it was a gift, or has sentimental value. Whatever the case, it can be difficult, but going through your house and getting rid of the clothes, kitchen appliances and general clutter can be a transformative experience that reduces stress and creates a calmer home atmosphere.

2. Holistic health in your bathroom.

Your day begins in the bathroom, so why not start it off right? You shower and brush your teeth, but are you aware of the health and cleansing benefits of using a bidet seat? Gynecologists, obstetricians and urologists all recommend cleansing with water, and a high-tech bidet seat offers a luxury personal cleansing system to make you cleaner and more refreshed than you've ever felt after a bathroom break – and it's more eco-friendly than using toilet paper. You'll be surprised by

how this simple addition to your bathroom can benefit men and women at all stages of life.

3. The bedroom is for sleeping. Your mood, energy level, ambition and so much more depends on getting a full night's sleep. To help ensure you get enough sleep, transform your bedroom into a sanctuary. If you have a TV in it, take it out and leave your phone in the kitchen when you go to bed. Your bedroom should be a spot for sleeping and relaxing activities such as reading or meditating.

4. Color matters. The color of a room has a huge impact on your mood; in fact, the color of a room can make or break a space. As a rule of thumb, many interior designers break colors into warm and cool. Warm colors such as yellow, orange and red create an energized space and may be great options for a family room or home office. Cool tones such as blue or green create a calming atmosphere, perfect for spaces where you go to relax and unwind.

5. Plants. It sounds simple, but it's easy to overlook this one. Indoor plants provide the double service of boosting your mood and cleaning the air. For instance, common house plants such as a spider plant, peace lilies and a number of ferns naturally remove toxins such as formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and more from the air. This is a vital service, especially in winter.l (BPT)

"I combined 3 recipes to create tender juicy chicken with an awesome honey-sriracha glaze. If you've always wanted to cook more stuff with turnips, give this a try. Aside from the delicious sauce, the most important part of this dish is using the high heat of cast iron to brown the chicken and vegetables before finishing in the oven." –Willpio, All Recipes.com Ingredients Meat: 4 large chicken thighs with skin

Seasonings: 2 tablespoons ground black pepper, divided 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons salt, divided 4 tablespoons peanut oil

Sauce: 5 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup honey 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce 2 teaspoons lime juice Vegetables: 4 potatoes, chopped 2 carrots, chopped 1 large yellow onion, chopped 1 turnip, chopped 1 head garlic, peeled 3/4 cup red wine

Directions Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Pat chicken dry. Combine 1 tablespoon

Chicken

black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Rub the mixture on the chicken.

Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. Add peanut oil to the hot skillet and watch it carefully; when oil smokes, add chicken, skinside down. Cook until browned, about 4 minutes each side. Transfer chicken to a plate; reserve drippings in the skillet.

Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add honey, sriracha sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice. Add remaining black pepper and salt. Bring sauce to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.

Return skillet with drippings to mediumhigh heat. Add potatoes, carrots, onion, turnip, and garlic. Cook and stir until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add chicken on top of the vegetables, skinside up. Coat with about one third of the sauce.

Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.

Add wine to the skillet and coat chicken with another third of the sauce. Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meat near the bone reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) and vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Coat chicken with remaining sauce before serving.l Prep 30 mins Cook: 53 mins Ready In: 1 hr 23 mins

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14

SPORTS

Yeah Mon! “Cool Runnings2”

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BY CAW STAFF

wenty-five years after the story of Jamaica's first-ever Olympic bobsled team hit the big screen and 30 years after the men actually hit the track, Jamaica is set to send a women's bobsled team to the Olympics for the first time with representation at the PyeongChang's 2018 Winter Olympics. The women's team will follow in the footsteps of Jamaica's national men's team, which made its headlining debut in 1988, then reappeared in five additional Olympics.

We all remember their epic story which Disney turned into a cult film, and now it seems that history is repeating itself.

In December, they showed they belonged at the Winterberg World Cup where they finished seventh. At the Winter Olympics, they are looking for a top 10 finish which will be an even greater accomplishment.

Now, pilot Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian, brakewoman Carrie Russell and Audra Segree are headed to South Korea.

Russell, a first-time Olympian who was once a member of the country's MVP Track Club; Segree, another nationally recognized track athlete; and FenlatorVictorian, who piloted for Team USA in the 2014 Sochi Olympics before joining Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation the following year.

Fenlator-Victorian, 32, who represented the United States at Sochi 2014 as a push-athlete, switched to her father's native Jamaica in 2015. "Pyeongchang will be my second appearance at the Winter Games, but it is just as special as my first," she said. This time I have the opportunity to represent my other home– Jamaica – and make history as the first female team representing the country in the Winter Olympic Games."

Russell, 27, won a gold medal in the 4x100m relay at the World Athletics Championship in 2013. This is her first Winter Olympics. "This is one of the happiest moments of my life," she revealed after qualifying. "I never dreamed that I would become a bobsled athlete."

Segree, the second brakewoman of the team, was also a former sprinter. "A leap

of faith and a dream come true later I will be representing my country as one of the first women bobsled athletes in the Olympics," she added. "I am overwhelmed with joy knowing that I have helped make history for my country. I am really grateful for this experience."

This team dubbed “Gold Squad: Fire on Ice” certainly had their challenges. It wasn’t all smooth sailing. In January 2017, the women were on the verge of falling apart, despite being able to compete in Olympic qualifying events, with no coach and dwindling finances. But with some will and luck, the team found financing and a resourceful coach in experienced bobsled manager Jo Manning, allowing them to begin competing.

"Our team is filled with experienced, world-class, elite athletes. Although my brakewomen may have limited experience in bobsleigh, [they] are some of the most elite with training, physical ability and mental toughness," team pilot Fenlator-Victorian said in an email to NBC, adding that their "unruly work ethic" is one of several characteristics that's helping them.

So, as the boys once said: 'Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme... get on up, it's bobsled time.' We look forward to the girls making Jamaica and the Caribbean proud!l

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HEALTH MATTERS

15

Family Health Center Hosts TechFriendly Initiatives for World Aids Day

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BY TATYANA BELLAMY-WALKER

he Bedford-Stuyvesant Family Health Center launched a techfriendly approach to STD/STI protection on the 29th anniversary of World Aids Day 2017 to combat the stigma of the disease.

The non-profit health group, which offers a wide range of healthcare services including on-site HIV/AIDS care at 1456 Fulton Street in Brooklyn has launched the Facebook page, Bedstuy Fam to help keep advocates, patients, and educators in the know about the center's latest medical treatments and programs.

“We believe that there are many ways to raise awareness. More and more persons are getting their news from social media. What we’re trying to do is leverage some of the platforms that are available to us,” said Suzanne Robinson Davis, program director of the Bed-Stuy Family Health Center.

Robinson Davis continued, “Through social media, we have promoted preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which is a one-a-day pill that you can take to remain HIV-negative. We just want to educate our community. This is an option for you if you are at risk, worried or

exposed to HIV.” Since the HIV/AIDs boom in the 1980s President and CEO of the Bed-Stuy Family Health Center, Patricia R. Fernandez, said she is proud of the center's progress.

“We have to celebrate how far we have come. HIV is not a death sentence anymore,” Fernandez said. “I’ve been here for over 25 years and now you can’t look at a patient and tell they have HIV. Before you could look at their skin and [tell]. It’s a good transition.”

Fernandez, who says that her staff is at

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the forefront of the center's accomplishments said she is a “proud mother hen."

At the World Aids Day event on Dec.1, the organization debuted two testimonial videos to highlight the PREP/PEP campaign, which aims to humanize survivors of the HIV/AIDs virus. The center hopes that through digital narratives they can educate communities and fight the longtime stigma.

“People start internalizing the stigma because they believe they are not worthwhile,” said Kathleen Bernock, a nurse practitioner at the Bed-Stuy Family

Health Center. “We should get people to release themselves from the stigma.”

Tell that to Claudine Bostic-Burnett, a 30-year HIV survivor who has experienced the epidemic at its worst. “They use to throw away the spoons,” said Bostic-Burnett, 52, of Brooklyn. “At first [my mother] backed away from me...then she embraced me.” BosticBurnett added, “They were dropping like flies. I am truly blessed.”

Although HIV/AIDS is at an all-time low in New York City, Brooklyn still faces far more cases of the disease than any other in the borough, experts said.

“Bed-Stuy is one the most highly impacted communities in Brooklyn,” said Robinson Davis. “Based on the data, black men who have sex with men are at the highest risk. In their lifetime, one in two men will get HIV. That is 50 percent of men of color that have sex with men (MSM) getting an HIV infection. We also know that Latino MSM is also at a high risk.”

“The center continues to be a part of the movement,” she added. “We work across the disease spectrum to make sure that we are meeting the community where it’s at.” l

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AgeWell New York, LLC is a HMO plan with Medicare and Medicaid contracts. Enrollment in AgeWell New York, LLC depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Premiums, copays, co-insurance and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive.

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AgeWell New York complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. AgeWell New York cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. AgeWell New York 遵守適用的聯邦民權法律規 定，不因 種族、膚色、民族血統、年齡、殘障或 別而 視任何人。ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-866-586-8044 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-866-586-8044 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). 注意：如果 使用繁體中文， 可以免費獲得語言援 助服務。請致電 1-866-586-8044 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). ) @1$ZDMPOF "DDFQUFE VISIT WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR THE LATEST CARIBBEAN NEWS, IMMIGRATION UPDATES, VIEWPOINTS, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE!

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

16

7 Tips for Communicating What You Want from Your Partner in the Bedroom

T

BY JACQUELINE WIELICK

he truth is, communicating openly about sex can be a vulnerable — and sometimes tough —thing to do. For some, knowing where to start with these conversations can feel confusing and overwhelming. Because sexuality is such an important part of our identities and our relationships, being able to practice sitting in the vulnerability and have these open conversations with your partner is crucial.

Research has shown that couples who talk about sex have better sex- so much so, that 91% of couples who can’t comfortably talk about sex aren’t sexually satisfied. Communicating your wants and needs with your partner not only enhances your sexual experience, it also opens up space for more understanding, connection, and support — bringing you two closer together.

My following 7 tips will help make these conversations a little bit easier:

Start off on the right side of the bed Relationship researcher John Gottman has found that the outcome of a conflict conversation (good or bad) can be predicted with 96% accuracy based just on

how the first three minutes of the discussion goes. Starting off gentle and kind from the beginning will set you up for success. When talking and listening during this discussion, speak to your partner like you would speak to a friend: with kindness, openness, and curiosity.

Kick ‘Mind-Reading’ out of the bedroom Expecting our partners to ‘mind-read’ is something we can all fall into sometimes, but this can be a risky habit — especially when talking about sex. Mind-reading is the expectation that your partner should ‘just know’ what you are needing and wanting, because they love you.

However, we can’t truly expect someone to know our wants and needs when we do

not communicate them. Start this conversation off by clearly and kindly stating what you are wanting from your partner.

Speak to your own experience “I” statements will help you share your experience in a way that will avoid eliciting defensiveness, and it will create space for vulnerability. Vulnerability invites closeness. This kind of intimate self-disclosure will actually bring your partner closer to you. When starting off this conversation, use an “I” statement with a feeling word, then feel free to explain your wants and needs further.

This can look like: “I feel excited when ___,” or “I feel uncomfortable when ___.”

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Use soft emotions Certain emotions pull our partners closer to us, and some emotions push our partners farther away. Deep and more vulnerable emotions such as joy, fear, sadness, shame, and loneliness are softer emotions — these are called primary emotions. Using these to describe your experience will help create closeness and connection between the two of you.

Everyone feels primary emotions somewhere in their body, such as sinking in the stomach or a heaviness in the chest. If you are having trouble identifying the softer, more primary emotion you are feeling, tuning in to where you are experiencing it in your body will help.

Keep it realistic It is one thing to have a conversation about your wants and needs, and another to implement it into your life. It is so important for this conversation to translate into a reality, therefor keeping things like your schedules, budgets, and physical limitations in mind will ensure your wants and needs do not get left behind in your everyday life.

Make this convo part of your routine Couples that talk about sex have better sex. Make this conversation a built-in ritual for you both. This will not only increase your connection, but will increase your sexual satisfaction, too.

The more you practice it, the more comfortable it will become. Create a ritual for sex talks that is consistent, predictable, and non-threatening, such as on Sunday evenings over your favorite glass of wine.

Call up a therapist Therapy is a great way to practice having vulnerable conversations in a safe place.

Therapy can provide support for you along your path of creating deeper sexual satisfaction and understanding in your relationship.

Congratulations for taking the steps towards deeper sexual satisfaction and understanding! Keep in mind that this will look different for every couple, what is important is finding out how this conversation works for your relationship.

This may change as you and your partner move through time together, too. Being intentional about keeping this conversation a consistent part of your relationship will help create continued closeness and connection for you both..l Jacqueline Wielick, MFTI, #IMF100541 has worked at The Gottman Institute in Couples Services for four years, where she received significant exposure, training, and understanding of Gottman Method Couples Therapy. She also received training in Couples in Addiction Recovery.

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18

CONVERSATIONS

Trappings of Social Media/ continued from page 1

that allows a multiplicity of voices, allows a diversity of views, but doesn’t lead to a balkanization of our society, but rather continues to promote ways of finding common ground… All of us in leadership have to find ways in which we can re-create a common space on the internet. It used to be, in the United States, for example, we had three television stations and everybody watched Walter Cronkite or David Brinkley or whoever the chief anchor was.

Everybody had a common set of facts, and so there might be conservatives and liberals, but people could generally agree on a baseline of reality.”

Without mentioning the current Tweeter-in-Chief by name, Obama said in response to a question about social media, “One of the dangers of the internet is that people can have entirely different realities. They can be just cocooned in information that reinforces their current biases.”

Mr. Trump has been accused of overusing Twitter and following only a narrow range of users, though he maintains it allows him to connect directly with the American people. Mr Obama suggested face-to-face contact would help counteract extreme views. "Social media is a really powerful tool for people of common interests to convene and get to know each other and connect. But then it's important for them to get offline,

President Obama being interviewed by Prince Harry.

Photo:Obama Foundation/BBC Radio

meet in a pub, meet at a place of worship, meet in a neighborhood and get to know each other. Because the truth is that on the internet, everything is simplified and when you meet people face-toface, it turns out they're complicated."

"One of the things we want to do I think is as we're working with young people, to build up platforms for social change," he said. "Make sure that they don't think that just sending out a hashtag in and of itself is bringing about change.

It can be a powerful way to raise awareness, but then you have to get on the ground and actually do something."

First “social-media” President President Obama has been called the

“first social-media President.” The Obama White House was indeed the first presidency to make use of services like Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. But on the other hand, these services either didn’t exist or weren’t used by a broad public before Barack Obama took office in 2009. The White House brags that Obama was the first to tweet from @POTUS on Twitter, to go live on Facebook, to use a filter on Snapchat.

How does he see the future?

Without dismissing the problems faced by the world, he remains an optimist. "If we take responsibility for being involved in our own fate, if we participate, if we

engage, if we speak out, if we work in our communities, if we volunteer, then all the problems that we face are solvable despite all the terrible news that you see.

If you had to choose a moment in human history in which you'd want to be born, you'd choose today because the fact is that the world is healthier, wealthier, better educated and more tolerant, more sophisticated and less violent."

He emphasized, "The things that are important to me haven't changed, I still care about about making the United States and the world a place where kids get an education, where people who are willing to work hard are able to find a job that pays a living wage, that we are conserving the amazing resources of our planet so that future generations can enjoy the beauty of this place like we did."

Obama said he now had to "rely more on persuasion than legislation" but that he enjoyed being able to focus his energies on the causes that mattered most to hi Obama said that he is “obsessed” with “training the next generation of leaders to be able to make their mark on the world.

When you’re in politics directly, then you’re a player on the field… Now I’m making that transition, to some degree, as a coach.”l Information from this article came from BBC.com

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Alcohol-Impaired Driving Is Rising

I

BY JAMES EBERSPACHER

n 1988, Larry Mahoney drove his pickup truck down the wrong side of Kentucky’s I-71, hitting a church bus head on and killing 24 children and three adults. The incident, which became known as the Carrollton Bus Crash, remains the deadliest impaired-driving incident in American history. The crash received national media attention and resulted in a crackdown on impaired driving. Between 1982 and 2014, the number of annual alcohol-impaired driving fatalities decreased by 51%. But after nearly three decades in decline, the numbers are starting to rise.

A new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that in 2016, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities increased for the second year in a row to 10,497—the highest level since 2009. While the opioid epidemic has rightly received significant attention of late, impaired driving remains one of the single most serious threats to public safety—and it’s one that is entirely preventable. Progress has been made, but the rising number of fatalities shows more must be done.

December marked Impaired Driving Prevention Month, and there is no better time to explore solutions to this public safety issue. The National Center for DWI Courts (NCDC) and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (FAAR) recently embarked on a nationwide Reform & Responsibility Tour to promote ways to

immediately reduce impaired driving deaths. Here is what we recommend:

1. Screen and assess all driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenders.

More robust clinical screening and assessment for DWI offenders allows them to be matched to the appropriate level of supervision and treatment, and research shows that the earlier this occurs, the greater the likelihood of success.

For the majority, a DWI arrest is a huge wakeup call: many need only one arrest to never re-offend. They can change their behavior and do so out of fear of being rearrested. But others are not capable of changing without outside intervention. According to FAAR, repeat DWI offenders commonly suffer from mental health and substance use disorders. Left untreated, repeat offenders are statistically the most dangerous drivers on the road and over-represented in fatal crashes. Better screening and assessment can identify drivers likely to become repeat offenders and ensure they receive more supervision, stricter accountability, and evidence-based treatment.

2. Expand and improve DWI courts.

For over two decades, drug treatment courts in the U.S. have proven that a combination of accountability and treatment can lead people into recovery, reduce crime, and save resources. DWI courts build on the success of the drug treatment court movement by focusing on repeat and/or high blood alcohol con-

tent (BAC) DWI offenders with substance use disorders. DWI court participants are under strict supervision: they have mandated home visits, continuous alcohol monitoring, and frequent appearances in court. They undergo rigorous, evidence-based individual treatment and participate in group therapy. They must pass frequent and random drug tests. In addition to all of this, they’re required to hold down a job, perform community service, or advance their education.

Research on this combination of accountability and treatment shows that DWI courts are the most successful way to reduce impaired driving, decreasing recidivism by as much as 60%, all while saving taxpayers money: an incredible $3.19 is saved by society, for every $1 invested in a DWI court. Learn more at DWIcourts.org.

3. Increase evidence-based supervision technology.

Used in conjunction with clinical assessment and appropriate treatment interventions that target individual needs, technology can play a vital role in getting DWI offenders the supervision and support they need. For example, many states have adopted ignition interlock programs for repeat offenders. Ignition interlock requires offenders to pass a breath test before their car will start and has been found to reduce repeat impaired driving by about two-thirds. Continuous alcohol monitoring (CAM) technology is another effective tool for ensuring compliance with supervision requirements: it relays

19

real-time alcohol consumption data to law enforcement. Research has found that the use of CAM improves enforcement of abstinence orders and is more effective than random drug testing.

Unfortunately, despite the passage of legislation supporting the use of such technologies, they remain underutilized by local communities in their efforts to reduce impaired driving.

Larry Mahoney was not a first-time offender on the night he took 27 lives.

Several years before the crash, he was arrested and charged with a DWI. If we knew then what we know now, would the Carrollton bus tragedy have been avoided? We may never know the answer to that question, but we do know that we must do everything we can to prevent another tragedy like it. There is an urgent need to robustly implement and strengthen solutions that will protect public safety and save resources while holding impaired drivers accountable and getting them the evidence-based treatment and they need to achieve longterm recovery.

We’ve made tremendous progress on this issue since the 1980s, but we must act if we are to reverse this dangerous upward trend, and we must act now.

Lives are at stake.l James Eberspacher is the Division Director, National Center for DWI Courts

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Deed Fraud: What Can You Do to Prevent It

D

BY ELIAS GEBREHIWOT

eed fraud is a fraudulent crime that primarily targets unsuspecting homeowners who are struggling. But anyone can be a victim.

Many homeowners have lost their homes as a result of this deceptive practice.

On November 15th, 2017, the New York State Attorney General’s Press Office announced that A.G. Schneiderman filed a lawsuit against Joseph Funding Company, Inc. and its owners Rebecca Ausby and Joseph Holman for allegedly engaging in a deceptive scheme to trick New Yorkers into turning over ownership of their homes to the Syracuse-based real estate company. The lawsuit alleged that Ausby and Holman preyed on homeowners who were struggling to pay their mortgage, at risk of foreclosure, or interested in getting rid of hard-to-sell

properties without any profit or loss.

“As we allege, Joseph Funding Company and its owners led consumers to believe they were acting in their best interests – but in actualit, they stole properties from vulnerable homeowners, destroyed their credit, and then left them holding the bag on their mortgages,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office will not tolerate those who prey and capitalize on homeowners, and I encourage all New Yorkers to con-

sider our tips to avoid scams.”

How Fraudsters Present Themselves According to the lawsuit that the New York State A.G. filed, “Holman and Ausby presented themselves as real estate professionals, who had extensive experience managing properties and buying and selling homes, including homes in economically depressed neighborhoods.”

“The company’s owners frequently posted

Buying in 2018? Get Your Down Payment Ready Now

A

re you in the market for a new house or condo in 2018? Now is the time to get all of your financial details in order. As you may know, buying a home is a significant financial transaction. But it all starts with your down payment, which is the lump sum that you invest in order to purchase the home. In today's blog post we will share a few sources of funds that you can tap into for help saving up for your down payment.

Peer into Your Financial Future A helpful first step is to map out your financial future. Do you have any lump-sum payments such as an annual bonus or a tax return coming up? If so, those are excellent sources of funds to help build up your down payment.

Put a Stop to Unnecessary Spending Any time you want to save money, an obvious step is to cut as much unnecessary spending as you can. Invest the time in creating a strict monthly budget which includes setting money aside for

your down payment. Be sure to watch for any daily habits that are eating away at your savings, such as high-priced specialty coffees or eating out regularly.

Research Local Homebuyer Assistance Programs Don't forget that you're not alone in your quest for home ownership. There are numerous federal, state and municipal homebuyer assistance programs that offer financial help when buying a home. You can either spend some time researching these on the internet, or call our real estate team and we'll be happy to share some insight.

Check In With Your Employer Finally, don't forget to check in with your employer to see if there are any home ownership grants or subsidies.

Down payment and home-buying assistance programs are becoming more popular with companies as an extra perk to offer employees. Send a quick email or stop by the human resources department to let them know you're in the market for a home and to see if any programs are on offer. If your workplace does have a program like this, it's the perfect time to take advantage of it.

Having your down payment funds ready will make the buying process faster and show your mortgage lender that you're prepared for home ownership. For more information about local real estate opportunities, give our team a call today. We're happy to share some amazing listings that perfectly suit your family's needs. Call us at 888-670-6791.n

Smart homeowners and first-time homebuyers read this paper!

No.9

signs on neighborhood telephone poles advertising that they buy and sell homes fast. Homeowners who contacted the company were greeted with a recorded voicemail message stating that Joseph Funding Company could take over their mortgage payments right away. Additionally, the company’s website identified dozens of properties that they were managing or had recently sold or rented.”

However, as the Attorney General’s complaint alleged, "Joseph Funding Company had no connection to most of the properties listed on their website. Furthermore, neither Holman nor Ausby were licensed by the New York State Department of State as real estate professionals and therefore were not authorized to manage or sell continued on page 3 INSIDE:

Selling Your Home? 4 Things You Should Never Say.......................2

FREE Lead Testing for NYCHA Residents....................................3

When Should a Landlord Hire a Lawyer?.......................................3 4 Smart Money Habits That Will Help You Save Up a Mortgage Down Payment............................4

REAL ESTATE AGENTS WANTED: APPLY NOW! It's time to make a career choice that you will LOVE. Send your resume to info@equitysmartrealty.com

2

EQUITY SMART REALTY

4 Things You Should Never, Ever Say If You Hope to Sell Your Home

H

BY EQUITY SMART REALTY TEAM

ave you ever had a conversation with a total stranger where you said something that you regret? If you are placing your house or condo on the market, you're eventually going to end up having to chat with potential buyers. Yes, your real estate agent is likely to do most of the talking. However, you will still have to deal with buyers that want to grill you about the home's history, condition and more. With that in mind, let's have a look at four things you should never say to someone who is interested in buying your home.

"We're Not Accepting Offers Less Than…”

A good way to kill your sale and have a buyer walk away is to set a price floor on bids and offers. Even if the amount you are asking for is reasonable, many buyers will pass because they are offended that they're being forced to bid above a certain price.

Unless otherwise advised by your agent, it is best to let buyers feel like they’re in control of the offer process. You can always counter-offer later.

"Our House Has Been On the Market For…" Stating how long your house has been on the market is rarely a good look. No matter how short or long the listing period has gone on for, buyers don't need to know this.

Moreover, if your home has been on the market for months, knowing that may scare potential buyers off.

"We've Always Meant to Renovate That…"

If you were going to fix, improve or even clean something in your home, you proba-

bly would have done it before inviting potential buyers in. Your goal is to present the house you do have in the best possible light. Try to avoid pointing out areas that a buyer is going to need to renovate or invest in later.

"We Need to Close the Sale By…" The last thing you want to do is look desperate to close the sale and move on. Buyers and their agents are going to be looking for signs of weakness which will allow them to submit low-ball offers for your home. If you let on that you have to sell or

move by some deadline, you can rest assured that you are not going to get as much when you sell.

There you have it – four of the (many) things you should not say to potential buyers of your home. For more tips and advice about selling your home, contact our professional real estate team today. We are happy to help and share our insight and experience to help you with the selling process. Schedule an appointment today.

Call 888-670-6791. n Read more at www.equitysmartrealty.com

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Deed Fraud/

continued from page 1

properties for others in New York State."

What Can You Do to Prevent Deed Fraud?

First, act immediately. Homeowners at risk of foreclosure should reach out to the Attorney General’s Office, which can connect them with free, qualified housing counseling through the Attorney General’s Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP).

Additionally, the Attorney General suggests that people struggling with their mortgage visit AGScamHelp.com for helpful information.

Also, the City's Department of Finance advises New York City residents to:

lRegister for the Recorded Document Notification Program online to get notified anytime a document is recorded related to your property. If you are unable to register online, complete and mail an application.

lCheck the City Register’s records often using the ACRIS system to make sure that there are no deeds or mortgages that you are not aware of recorded on your property. lIf your property is not occupied, you should check often to make sure it is not occupied illegally. lAsk someone you trust to look after your

house if you are going to be away for a long period of time.

lDo not let mail pile up if you are going out of town.

lMake sure that the Department of Finance has the correct mailing address for you or the person who should receive notices about your property.

lContact us if you suddenly stop receiving notices from the Department of Finance that you used to get. lIf you suspect any kind of deed fraud, report it immediately. Call 311.

lReport fraud to the Sheriff’s Department immediately. lGet a certified copy of the fraudulent document from the City Register’s office.

lContact the District Attorney’s office in the borough where the property is located and report the crime.

You may want to consult an attorney to confirm your ownership in the property.

The Law Office of Figeroux & Associates, located in Downtown Brooklyn, is known for helping clients avoid deed fraud and providing victims of the crime with exceptional legal advice to sue the fraudsters.n

3

FREE Lead Testing for NYCHA Residents

A

BY JANET HOWARD

ccording to Wikipedia, lead poisoning is a type of metal poisoning caused by lead in the body.The brain is the most sensitive. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, constipation, headaches, irritability, memory problems, inability to have children, and tingling in the hands and feet. It causes almost 10% of intellectual disability of otherwise unknown cause and can result in behavioral problems. Some of the effects are permanent. In severe cases anemia, seizures, coma, or death may occur Lead poisoning can occur when lead builds up within the body. This excessive amount of lead in the body can cause serious health problems. Children and adults can both experience lead poisoning, however, children are especially vulnerable and it can affect their mental and physical development.

In a recent report, the City’s Department of Investigation (DOI) revealed that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), submitted false claims to the federal government showing it had conducted lead paint inspections—and that the required work hadn’t been done for years.

The investigation revealed that in 2016,

NYCHA commissioner Shola Olatoye falsely certified that the authority was in compliance with lead paint inspection requirements. The DOI discovered that as far back as 2012, NYCHA had not been doing the required annual inspections of the thousands of apartments that may have lead contamination.

In a story reported by the NY Daily News, one of the affected tenants appears to be Sherron Paige, who in 2012 moved into Apartment 5A of 791 Hicks St. in the Red Hook Houses development in Brooklyn.

Apartment 5A was one of the apartments that NYCHA had designated as “clean.”

When the prior tenant had moved out, NYCHA had someone inspect it and then remediate it, Authority lawyers said.

Paige’s son, Kyan Dickerson, was born in July 2013. When he turned 4, he got a physical to begin attending pre-K. A test registered a level of 12 micrograms per deciliter of lead in his blood. The acceptable level is 5. Kyan — who has never lived anyplace other than Apartment 5A — has been diagnosed with delays in speech and was recently given a special education designation by the schools department.

Lead poisoning is no joke. Know Your Rights. For a FREE no obligation legal consultation and FREE lead testing information, call 855-768-8845.n

4

HOME OWNERSHIP

New Home This Year? Get a Jump on Improving Your Credit Score

I

n the market for a new home in 2018?

With the new year just a just starting, now is the time to get your finances in order. Let's explore a few tips that will help you get a jump on improving your credit score before the end of the year.

Grab a Fresh Copy The first step is to order a fresh copy of your credit report from one of the major agencies. The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to access a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months. So, if you have not ordered a copy recently, it is time to do so. You can access this free service through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is a website recommended by the Federal Trade Commission.

Note that it's not recommended to use a search engine to search for "free credit report" or similar search terms. There are many impostor websites looking to obtain your personal financial information for nefarious purposes. Instead, stick with the government-recommended website listed above.

Clean Up Anything Outstanding Now that you have a copy of your credit report, it's time to go through it, line-by-line.

You should recognize every current and outstanding account in the report. Any balances owing should be in order and reflect how much you owe. It's critical that you flag any mistakes or old debts that you have already paid in full. If you come across anything that shouldn't be on your credit report, call the reporting agency to let them know.

If necessary, they will assist you with challenging the issue.

Pay Down Those High-Interest Debts The final tip in is to prioritize your outstanding debts so that you can pay them off more efficiently. The essential debt payments are your mandatory minimums, which you need to pay to avoid being sent

to a collection agency. From there, try to pay off your debts with the highest interest rates first. Getting these paid off faster means that over time, you're spending less on interest payments. Moreover, you can use that extra cash to pay your debts down further.

These are just a few of the action steps that you can take today to start improving your credit score. When you're ready to discuss a mortgage for your new home, give our team a call. We will be happy to advise you on the mortgage offer that suits your needs, budget and credit. Call us at 888-6706791.n

Call Equity Smart Realty at 888-670-6791 for a FREE consultation.