March is Women’s History Month!

SYEP Application Open

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

The Summer Youth Employment Program application is open for New Yorkers between the ages of 14 and 24.

The program provides summer job opportunities for youth looking to gain valuable work experience and explore possible career interests.

Individuals interested can find the application available online at nyc.gov/ syep. Individuals can only send in one application, and the deadline to apply is March 31. Individuals with questions about the process can also call the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Community Connect number at 1-800-246-4646.

There are three options non-NYCHA residents can choose from when applying. Each option is listed below:

SYEP Community Based – This option is for applicants between ages 14-24 who are looking for career exploration opportunities and paid work experience. Participants will be decided by a random lottery.

Celebrating Women’s History Month

President’s Report

Sonia Feliciano

We celebrate Women’s History Month (March 1 –March 31, 2023), commemorating women who have made contributions to women’s history and to our society and community.

SYEP CareerREADY – This option is for applicants between ages 14-21 enrolled in specific DOE schools. The entire list of schools participating can be found online at nyc.gov/site/dycd/services/jobs-internships/about-syep.page. A main difference with this option is that the

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2023 Window Guard Forms Must be Returned

Shareholders in high rise buildings who have not yet returned the 2023 Annual Window Guard form must make every effort to complete and return the form regardless of whether you require window guard/s or not.

Townhouse residents do not receive window guard forms but may request installation of window guards. Please contact your respective CSO, (718) 320-3300, select option #4.

If the 2023 Window Guard form has been misplaced or lost, or if you require assistance filling out the form, please contact CSO.

Riverbay Corporation

Frequently Asked Questions

RESIDENTIAL SALES DEPARTMENT

Q. HOW LONG IS THE WAIT FOR AN APARTMENT IN CO-OP CITY?

A. Currently, there is a 3-5 year wait for most apartments except for 2-bedroom units with a balcony and 1-bedroom efficiency units, for which the wait is approximately 5-7 years.

Q. ARE THERE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DISABLED SHAREHOLDERS?

A. Yes. Once you’ve officially purchased a unit that requires general modifications, you can notify your building’s Cooperator Services Office (CSO) with specifications. If the modifications are outside of Riverbay’s offerings, this will be an out-of-pocket expense to the shareholder.

Note: Outgoing shareholders are responsible for restoring their unit to its original standard or else Riverbay will deduct the cost to complete the restoration from their equity.

Q. HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DOOR MEASUREMENTS IN PREPARATION FOR PURCHASING APPLIANCES FOR MY NEWLY ACCEPTED UNIT?

A. Inform your Sales agent at or shortly after your viewing, and an appointment will be set up for you to take the necessary measurements.

NOTE: Incoming shareholders are advised to take their own measurements as different-sized units have unique measurements.

Q. HOW DO I SECURE MOVING AND/OR DELIVERY PERMITS?

A. New shareholders living in Co-op City for less than a month should request permits from the Riverbay Residential Sales office. Existing shareholders who expect furniture or

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The first Women’s History Day began in New York in 1909. It was at a time when women were working under horrible working conditions. Together, and with the support of other organizations, they were able to do something to improve their working conditions, working for justice and for better treatment in the workplace. A strike was declared and resolved with the factory owners – an agreement on better wages, working conditions and hours, set the precedent for better collective bargaining.

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New York Announces Grant to Expand Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $3.8 million grant last Friday that will be used to expand the New York State Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP).

More specifically, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets will be in charge of administering the grant money to expand the FMNP.

The move is part of the larger American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which earmarked $50 million for the Food and Nutrition Service, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, to specifically improve the FMNP nationwide. The $50 million in funding will go to growing the FMNP in 47 states, as well as to “modernize and expand the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs,” as explained in the state press release.

In New York, Governor Hochul (Continued on page 2)

Are Here, We Are Everywhere”

BY P.M. CAMPBELL

On February 24, JASA Bartow’s Room 31 came alive with seniors wearing Pan-African attire, anticipating that afternoon’s Black History Month celebration. The event was produced, directed, and written by Margaret Chinnery, and it was made possible by the JASA volunteers who dedicate their time to help organize the festivities. (Continued on page 3)

SYEP –––

(Continued from page 1) schools select students as opposed to a random lottery. Further, students enrolled in this program will “receive comprehensive work-readiness training before their summer experience” and have the chance to “earn high school credit, and/or WBL hours towards a CDOS pathway.”

SYEP Emerging Leaders – This option is designed for applicants between ages 14-24 who face certain employment barriers such as homelessness or aging out of foster care. More specifically, applicants for this option must fit under one of the following criteria: homeless and runaway living in a shelter, justice/court involved, in foster care or receiving protective services from ACS.

In general, applicants between 14-15 years old will have the opportunity to participate in paid project-based learning that will directly impact their respective communities.

As for the remainder of applicants, specifically those between 16-24 years old, they will have the chance to improve their “work readiness skills and explore career pathways” through paid work experiences, as explained on the SYEP application website.

The program will run for six weeks from July to August and participants will be paid $15 an hour with a max of 25 hours per week.

DYCD announced the opening of the application on February 13 with a press release. First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright detailed the importance of SYEP in a statement included with the agency press release.

“Every young person in this city deserves to discover their passions and connect with potentially lifelong mentors,” First Deputy Mayor Wright said in the statement. “Through our diverse—and still expanding—employer portfolio, young New Yorkers have been able to explore an array of fields and help find what motivates them as they prepare for their futures. Mayor Eric Adams and I are proud to have helped lead the historic growth of the Summer Youth Employment Program, and thank DYCD and our community and employer partners for their outstanding work as we build on the success of our historic investments in SYEP and the youth of NYC.”

During a press conference last year highlighting historic investment into the SYEP, Mayor Adams emphasized that he wanted the program to focus on exposing the city’s youth to impactful experiences and provide entryways into professional fields that are usually inaccessible for certain demographics. The Mayor also used that press conference as an opportunity to challenge city agencies to step up and help establish pipelines so more young people can get their foot in the door.

Keeping the city’s youth away from gun violence by providing them opportunities to advance their professional lives is a crucial part of the Mayor’s Blueprint to End Gun Violence, which was a plan the Mayor unveiled last year.

Farmers’ ––– (Continued from page 1) plans on utilizing the FMNP as part of her larger plan to “source more locally grown and produced foods.”

To give a quick overview of the FMNP, the program aims to support local farmers while also providing healthy and fresh produce for economically disadvantaged New Yorkers. The program is also available to WIC recipients.

Co-op City shareholders who are 60 years and older can take advantage of the FMNP by participating in a workshop hosted by JASA that is usually held in the summer, according to JASA Bartow Center director, Ann Moncrieffe. Ms. Moncrieffe also mentioned that participants do not need to be a member of JASA, but will need to bring their identification and income information if they plan on signing up for the program during the workshop. Interested shareholders should also keep in mind that coupons for the farmer’s market are given out on a first come, first serve basis. More details about the workshop will be advertised in the Co-op City Times at a later date.

Governor Hochul discussed the significance of the funding and how the FMNP can support both local farmers and provide healthier food options for New Yorkers.

“One of our biggest strengths as a state is the wide scope of what we have to offer, and our farms’ bounty is at the top of that list. With a fifth of our land used for farming for our 33,000 family farms, we’re bringing more of New York’s fresh produce and products not only to our seniors, but also to schools and State agencies – supporting our farms and promoting healthier lifestyles,” Governor Hochul said in the statement.

The press release also described Governor Hochul’s plan to sign an Executive Order later this year that will mandate NYS agencies “source 30 percent of their food from New York producers.” Local governments and school districts will be encouraged to participate in that effort too, the press release explained.

Governor Hochul’s FY24 budget will include further measures aimed at improving fresh and healthy produce access, especially for underserved communities. Here is a quick rundown of the funding allotted for those efforts:

• $50 million allocated to a grant program that will “support scratch cooking facilities for schools using New York Farm products.”

• $10 million in grant funding to provide underserved communities with better access to farm markets, food co-ops and food retail stores.

• $2.2 million to “expand urban agriculture infrastructure and community gardens across the state.”

General information about the FMNP can be found online at agriculture. ny.gov/consumer-benefits-farmers-markets, by contacting the NYC Department for the Aging at 212-244-6469 or at the Bartow JASA office.