TIRE FIRE
It took nearly 200 FDNY personnel to bring the fire at 150-17 Liberty Ave. under control Tuesday night.
Photo Courtesy of FDNY
Bravest Battle Five-Alarm Blaze on Liberty Avenue
By Michael V. Cusenza
Nearly 200 members of the City Fire Department battled a five-alarm blaze that erupted Tuesday evening at a tire shop on Liberty Avenue in Jamaica.
The FDNY received a 911 call around 5:15 p.m. at 150-17 Liberty Ave.—an auto parts store that was still open for business when the blaze began. According to
the FDNY and published reports, all employees safely made it out of the shop.
Officials said that when firefighters arrived, they were met with dangerous conditions and heavy fire.
According to FDNY brassd, part of the building collapsed and the tires themselves made it difficult for the firefighters to extinguish the flames.
The FDNY used foam operation to combat the scene, according to Spectrum News NY 1.
“As tires start to melt, the liquid that they create then starts to burn, which necessitates us to use the foam to extinguish. The number of tires they had stacked up was considerable,” said FDNY Acting Chief of Department John Esposito, who was at the scene, along with newly-minted City Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Pedestrian Killed on Cross Bay Boulevard
By Michael V. Cusenza
On Thursday, a 55-year-old woman was struck by a pickup truck at the intersection of Cross Bay Boulevard and Pitkin Avenue. She later died at an area hospital.
Further investigation by the City Police Department’s Collision Investigation Squad determined that around 3:30 a.m. Jacqueline Healy was attempting to travel eastbound on Cross Bay Boulevard when she was struck by a Ford F-150 pickup truck
traveling northbound on Cross Bay Boulevard. EMS responded and rushed Healy to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in critical condition, where the Jamestown, New York resident was later pronounced dead.
The 47-year-old male operator of the
pickup truck remained on the scene and was taken into custody.
Keith Ryan, of Cornwallville, New York, has been charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree; and aggravated unlicensed operator in the third degree.
Photo Courtesy of FDNY
Firefighters used foam operation to combat the scene.
Photo Courtesy of FDNY
Nearly 200 firefighters battled the blaze into Tuesday night.
Photo Courtesy of FDNY
City Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker discusses the inferno with FDNY officials at Tuesday night’s scene.
Photo Courtesy of Google
Healy was struck early Thursday morning at the intersection of Cross Bay Boulevard and Pitkin Avenue.
Photo Courtesy of Google She was rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.
Mayor Adams Opens 24 New Schools
By Forum Staff
Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday announced the completion and opening of 24 new school buildings, including 11,010 new seats, across the city, each set to welcome students for the first day of the 20242025 school year.
This marks the most new K-12 seats opened by the SCA since 2003 and comes in addition to over 20,000 student seats previously added over the course of the Adams administration. Additionally, the newly adopted 2025-2029 Capital Plan provides funding for another 33,417 seats. This significant expansion will provide students with state-of-the-art facilities and resources essential for their continued academic success and overall development.
“Our administration is committed to giving our children a first-class education, and a crucial part of a great education is having access to great facilities,” Adams said.
New school buildings have been completed in four boroughs, with six in Queens, nine in Brooklyn, eight in the Bronx, and one in Manhattan. With a commitment to fostering an enriching educational environment, the new school buildings feature modern classrooms, advanced technology, and versatile learning spaces to ensure that they meet the diverse needs of New York City's student population. They are also constructed with green spaces and environmentally-friendly materials, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship. Key features of the new school buildings include:
Innovative Learning Spaces — Classrooms equipped with the latest educational technology, flexible space and furniture, and collaborative workspaces, including:
• R eading and speech resource rooms
• A rt and music classrooms
• S cience lab and prep rooms
• S pecial education classrooms
• Libraries
• G ymnasiums and auditoriums
Community Integration – Multi-purpose spaces designed to serve students, staff, and the surrounding community, fostering stronger community ties and support networks, including:
• M edical, guidance counselor, and administrative suite
• P arent and community room
• I ndoor and outdoor play space
• S taff lunch and conference rooms
SCA will continue to invest in creating new seats, not only in areas of current overcrowding and projected growth, but also to help schools comply with state legislation requiring smaller class sizes. SCA will also continue its work promoting healthier school environments, advocating for better health and nutrition, and broadening opportunities for physical education, as well as investing in existing infrastructure to provide better facilities for New York City’s students, teachers, and staff.
“Education opened every door for me, and now I am a proud champion of the largest school system in the nation,” said Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven). “Working with Mayor Adams, we have made unprecedented investments in education, and I passed the historic Diwali School Holiday bill so that our children could celebrate the day without missing school. Today we embark upon a new school year with 24 new school buildings to accommodate over 11,000 young scholars—in addition to the 20,000 seats we have already built in this administration. I am proud to partner with the mayor, Chancellor Banks, and SCA President and CEO Kubota, providing them the resources from the state to continue building more schools and meet the educational needs of all our children.”
Rendering Courtesy of SCA
Among the new facilities this year are $57.1 million in additions to PS 96 in South Ozone Park.
Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol Hosts Back-toSchool Giveaway
By Forum Staff
The Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol (COPCP) on Sunday hosted its fourth annual Back-To-School Giveaway at Little Bangladesh Way, making an impact on 375 local children as they prepare for the new school year.
This year’s giveaway provided support to families by distributing essential items such as book bags, school supplies, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies.
The event’s success was made possible by the collective efforts of our community partners, including ICNA Relief, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven), Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven), City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), Community Board 9, Staples, Hill’s Pest Management, Brooklyn Halal Grill, Queens Party Halls, and Pure Farmers Market.
“While we might not be able to provide every single thing they need, we truly hope
that our efforts help offset some of the high costs families face, allowing these kids to start the school year on the right foot," said Daniel Hill, communications director for COPCP. “Most of the families we serve are regulars at our food pantry, and we know how much this support means to them.”
The road to this event’s success wasn’t without its challenges. At the start of the week, COPCP only had 150 bags ready—a number that fell short of the expected de-
mand. But the community’s response was nothing short of extraordinary.
“We put out a call—well, more like a text—for help, and the offices of Councilwoman Ariola, Sen. Addabbo, and Assemblywoman Rajkumar immediately stepped in, bringing us over the top with 385 bags,” said Mohammad Khan, executive director of COPCP. “It’s moments like these that remind us of the incredible support our community has, especially from our elected officials.”
Photo Courtesy of COPCP
The fourth annual Back-To-School Giveaway at Little Bangladesh Way made an impact on 375 local children.
Photo Courtesy of COPCP
This year’s giveaway provided support to families by distributing essential items such as book bags, school supplies, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies.
NYPD, Pheffer Amato to Hold Sept. 11 Ceremony
By Forum Staff
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) is partnering with the City Police Department’s Community Affairs Bureau to host the annual “Memorial Prayer For The NYPD 9/11 Class” on Sept. 7 at the Amphitheater on Beach 94th Street and Shore Front Parkway starting at 10:30 a.m. The memorial event honors NYPD officers who were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, along with those who have died
The Pharmacist’s Corner
Presented by Frank Pantina,
as a result of 9/11-related illnesses. Additionally, the ceremony is a way to honor the NYPD class of 2001, the over 1,100 officers who had graduated a few months before the terrorist attack and jumped into action to save the lives of New Yorkers.
“The NYPD Class of 2001 had just graduated, they were still rookies, yet, none of our City’s Finest hesitated to help on that day. All of the first responders who ran towards the towers on September 11th showed an unbelievable level of courage. Sadly, 23 heroic members of the NYPD died on September 11th, and hundreds of NYPD officers have died since that day due to 9/11-related illnesses. They made a sacrifice for their City, and through the partnership of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, we are paying tribute and honoring their memories,” Pheffer Amato said.
Pheffer Amato helped pass into law the landmark legislation that guaranteed survivors could receive unlimited line-of-duty sick leave—a change in the law that protected jobs, salaries, and pensions. The assemblywoman also helped to pass the law requiring every public school in the State to hold a moment of silence and reflection on Sept. 11 to honor the 2,977 victims. “I’ll never stop fighting to get the survivors everything they need, or defending and honoring the memory of those we lost,” Pheffer Amato added.
People always come into the pharmacy asking questions about giving animals over the counter (OTC) people meds. No one wants to see their beloved pet suffer, but we need know that giving them NSAIDs or acetaminophen (Tylenol and oth¬er brands, which are not NSAIDs) out of our medicine cabinets may not be safe for dogs or cats, and doses vary widely. Some OTC human pain relievers can be toxic–even deadly–in pets. Never give your animal something you take unless speaking with your vet first. Similarly, pet owners shouldn't assume that a medicine good for one animal i s nec¬essarily safe for another. Rule number 1--Communicate with your vet. Before giving your animal an NSAID: --Make sure you know what the medica¬tion is being prescribed for, how much to give and how long to give it. --Discuss possible side effects and symp¬toms, especially those that require an imme¬diate call to the vet. --Tell your veterinarian if the pet has a history of gastrointestinal problems, such as stomach
ulcers, or surgery on the stomach or intestines. --Tell your veterinarian if your pet is on any other medications or supplements. If your pet is on medication, make sure you ask your vet these questions: -Why is my pet on this medication and how long do I need to give it? -How do I give the medication to my pet? Should it be given with food? -How often should the medication be giv¬en and how much should I give each time? If it is a liquid, should I shake it first? -How do I store the medication? -What should I do if my pet vomits or spits out the medication? -If I forget to give the medication, should I give it as soon as I remember? -What if I accidently give too much? -Should I finish all of the medication? -Could this medication interact with oth¬ers? -What reactions should I watch for? -When do we comeback? - Will you be calling me to check on my pet’s progress, or should I call you? If you follow these simple rules, you and you best friend should enjoy a long healthy life together. Until Next Week…
Old Enough for College, too Young for Nicotine
Most young adults entering college expect their coming years to be jovial, low-stress and filled with growth. Using any kind of tobacco product, however, can lead to very opposite outcomes.
As the brain continues to develop into the mid-20s, using cigarettes, e-cigarettes or even modern alternative products such as nicotine pouches can create an endless cycle of stress and addiction. This back-to-school season, the New York State Quitline reminds college students and campus health clinics about numerous free resources available to treat tobacco dependence and to educate about the harms of early-age nicotine use.
The New York State Quitline offers Learn2QuitNY, a multi-week texting program with daily alerts to help participants learn techniques to cut back and eventually altogether quit all forms of tobacco products. Learn2QuitNY can work as a standalone tool or in conjunction with other support services. Interested participants can enroll by texting QUITNOW to 333888 or by visiting nysmokefree.com/text. In addition to the convenience and confidentiality of texting, college students may contact the New York State Quitline for coaching support by calling 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697- 8487) or visiting nysmokefree.com. Those who are 18 years of age and older also can receive free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) medications, usually in the form of patches, gum or lozenges.
Photo Courtesy of UFA
Courtesy of Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato
The memorial event honors NYPD officers who were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, along with those who have died as a result of 9/11-related illnesses.
Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato
“All of the first responders who ran towards the towers on September 11th showed an unbelievable level of courage,” Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato said.
City Councilman Calls on Adams Administration, DOT to End E-Scooter Program in District 24
By Michael V. Cusenza
City Councilman Jim Gennaro (DHillcrest) on Friday called on the Adams Administration and City Department of Transportation to end the e-scooter program in District 24.
“Since the launch of the mayor’s escooter program in Northeast Queens, my office has gotten a lot of feedback
from community members, who are overwhelmingly unhappy about what it has done to our quality of life,” Gennaro wrote in a statement. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – e-scooters have no place in our community. Not only do they pose a major hazard to both its operators and pedestrians, but they are also often left haphazardly on sidewalks and streets, creating dangerous obstacles on our sidewalks.
It is clear from all this feedback that the Department of Transportation (DOT) and their stakeholders are failing in their promise to hold customers accountable when they finish their rides and ditch the scooters in the middle of the sidewalk, or on private property. While I cannot force DOT to end this program or modify its rules, we have been sharing all the feedback we’ve gotten directly with them. The
community does not want these scooters here. I do not want these scooters here. And I call on this administration and DOT to terminate this program in District 24 immediately.”
District 24 includes Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest, Jamaica Estates, Briarwood, Parkway Village, Jamaica Hills, and Jamaica.
FDNY Adds 32 Names to Memorial Wall for Deaths Relate to World Trade Center Illnesses
By Forum Staff
The FDNY will add the names of 32 members who died of illnesses related to their work in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center to the FDNY World Trade Center Memorial Wall. The outdoor ceremony took place on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 4 p.m. at FDNY Headquarters – 9 MetroTech Center in Brooklyn.
The department has lost more than 360 members to World Trade Center illnesses.
Those to be added to the memorial wall are:
Lieutenant James K. Donohue
Firefighter Thomas W. Anderson, Jr.
Firefighter Kevin R. Kelly
Firefighter Robert M. Hughes
Firefighter Edward R. Pecoroni
Electrician John Fiorentino
Firefighter Robert E. Welsh III
Firefighter John Tiska, Jr.
Firefighter Albert A. Filosa
Paramedic Andrew J. Enderes
EMT Hilda L. Vannata
Firefighter Robert V. Fulco
Firefighter Mark R. Senno
Battalion Chief Christopher D. Scalone
Chaplain Rev. Monsignor John E. Delendick
Firefighter Michael W. Daly
Captain Luke M. Lynch
Lieutenant Michael J. Higgins
Firefighter Harold J. Johnston
Electrician Joseph Berardi
Lieutenant Stephen A. Asaro
Firefighter William R. Bartholomew
Captain Steven Berube
Firefighter Michael J. Cioffi
Firefighter Robert M. Kelly
Firefighter Frank A. Caputo
EMS Captain Robert R. DeLeon, Jr.
Battalion Chief Kevin S. Blaine
Lieutenant Michael J. Shanley
Firefighter Steven G. Radich
EMT Christopher Swierkowski
Lieutenant Charles J. Maniscalco
The inscription on the Memorial Wall reads:
“Dedicated to the memory of those who bravely served this department protecting life and property in the City of New York in the rescue and recovery effort at Manhattan Box 5-5-8087 World Trade Center.”
Photo Courtesy of Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – e-scooters have no place in our community,” Councilman Gennaro said.
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/AndrewHenkelman Electric scooter Crash in New York City
Photo Courtesy of FNDY
The department has lost more than 360 members to World Trade Center illnesses.
Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office Mayor Eric Adams last month appointed Robert Tucker as 35th City Fire commissioner.
Borough President Announces ‘Borough Hall on Your Block: Rockaway Peninsula’
By Forum Staff
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards on Tuesday announced that the fifth iteration of his “Borough Hall on Your Block” initiative will be held on the Rockaway Peninsula from Monday, Sept. 9 to Monday, Sept. 16.
The weeklong initiative will bring a variety of public events to the peninsula such as a town hall meeting, a job fair, an older adult resource fair, a street co-naming ceremony, multiple funding announcements and even a community beach day family fair.
Richards has brought Borough Hall on Your Block programming to Southeast Queens in August 2022, Western Queens in February 2023, Northwest Queens in August 2023 and Central Queens in February 2024.
The calendar of public events scheduled for “Borough Hall on Your Block: Rockaway Peninsula,” subject to change, includes:
Monday, Sept. 9
• Press conference announcing Borough President Richards’ allocation of $500,000 in capital funding to reconfigure the dangerous, complex intersection of Beach Channel Drive, Seagirt Boulevard and Beach 35th Street in Edgemere; Time: 10 a.m.; Location: Intersection of Beach Channel Drive, Seagirt Boulevard and Beach 35th Street in Edgemere.
• Older Adult Resource Fair, connect-
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, there will be an unveiling of renderings for Beach Channel Educational Campus’ new weight room, which Richards allocated $500,000 in capital funding toward during his tenure as the district’s representative on the City Council.
ing Rockaway seniors with the services they need to age with grace and dignity in their communities; Time: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Location: JASA Brookdale Village Older Adult Center, 131 Beach 19th St. in Far Rockaway. Tuesday, Sept. 10
• Unveiling of renderings for Beach Channel Educational Campus’ new weight room, which Richards allocated $500,000 in capital funding toward during his tenure as the district’s representative on the City Council; Time: 10 a.m.; Location: Beach
Channel Educational Campus, 100-00 Beach Channel Drive in Rockaway Park.
• Street co-naming ceremony in honor of late Rockaway civic and community leader Dr. Ed Williams.; Time: 2 p.m.; Location: Intersection of Redfern Avenue and Village Lane in Far Rockaway.
Friday, Sept. 13
• Ribbon cutting ceremony for Nameoke Park, which recently underwent a $5.8 million reconstruction; Time: 10 a.m.; Location: Nameoke Park, intersection of Nameoke
and Augustina avenues in Far Rockaway
• Rockaway Peninsula Jobs Recruitment Fair, connecting area job seekers with a wide array of employers looking to hire Queens residents today; Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Location: Far Rockaway Library, 1637 Central Ave. in Far Rockaway.
Saturday, Sept. 14
• Beach Day Fair, bringing together families for a fun day of school supply giveaways, a bike jamboree and networking with community-based organizations; Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Location: Rockaway Beach Boardwalk at Beach 17th Street in Far Rockaway Monday, Sept. 16
• Press conference announcing Richards’ allocation of a combined $3.8 million in capital funding toward a trio of projects across Edgemere and Arverne, including $3 million toward the reconstruction of Arverne Playground; Time: 3 p.m.; Location to be announced in the coming days.
• Rockaway Peninsula Community Town Hall, featuring various city agencies as part of a community-led conversation about local quality-of-life issues; Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Location: Rockaway YMCA, 207 Beach 73rd St. in Arverne.
Members of the public interested in attending one or more of the events outlined above can register by visiting www. queensbp.org/rsvp.
Photo Courtesy of Google
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Hate Crimes Surged in NY over Last Five Years: DiNapoli
By Forum Staff
New York State has seen a surge in hate crimes over the last five years with 1,089 reported instances in 2023, marking the highest number since data collection and annual reporting were mandated by New York’s Hates Crimes Act of 2000, according to a recent report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The number is 69 percent more than in 2019.
Except for 2020, which may reflect artificially low reporting due to COVID, there has been a steady rise in hate crimes over the past five years, with the number of reported incidents more than doubling between 2018 and 2023. Moreover, the available data may not capture all relevant crimes, as underreporting may occur for several reasons. Victims may be hesitant to report incidents due to reasons that include language barriers, fear of retaliation, mistrust in law enforcement or lack of confidence that justice will be served.
A decade ago, New York City and the rest of the state reported roughly equal shares of hate crime incidents. However, between 2013 and 2019, reported hate crime incidents in New York City increased by one-
third, but declined by 25.8 percent in the rest of the state. Between 2019 and 2023, these incidents grew in New York City (59.3 percent) and more rapidly in the rest of the state (87.5 percent). In 2023, the New York City Police Department reported 669 hate crimes, an increase of 12.6 percent from 2022. In the rest of the state, the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) reported 420 incidents in 2023, a 12.9 percent increase from the year before.
DiNapoli’s report also found:
• Hate crimes targeting individuals
and property both rose since 2018, but hate crimes involving assaults on people grew faster and were more common than property crimes starting in 2021. In 2018, crimes against persons were 41 percent of all hate crimes; in 2022 they rose to 52 percent. In that year, nearly half of all hate crime reports carried an assault charge compared to 39 percent in 2018.
• 2023 data for areas outside of New York City detailing types of hate crime offenses has not yet been published by DCJS. Available data for New York City shows 58
percent of all New York City hate crime incidents in 2023 were committed against a person; of these, 32 percent were egregious enough to be felonies, including 72 felony assaults, 47 percent of which were committed on an anti-Jewish or anti-gay male bias. Incidents against Jewish New Yorkers accounted for 65 percent of all felony hate crime incidents (people and property) in New York City in 2023.
• The most common offense in New York City in 2023 was aggravated harassment in the first degree. There were 145 incidents of this type in New York City, and all but 14 of them were committed with an anti-Jewish bias. The two other most common offenses were misdemeanor assault crimes against persons, which were predominantly motivated by anti-gay male, anti-Jewish, anti-Asian, and anti-Black biases.
DiNapoli’s report noted several initiatives that have been undertaken at the state and federal level to address the increase in hate crimes, and identified key policy areas, including education, mental health services, and online safety, where action could be taken to help prevent hate crimes.
Pols Introduce New Legislation to Support Local Reception of New Arrivals
By Forum Staff
Congresswoman Grace Meng (DFlushing), Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-03), and Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-Bronx and Manhattan) recently introduced the Destination Reception Assistance Act, legislation to expand the federal government’s role in the reception of new arrivals by establishing the Destination Reception Services Program, a new fund to promote self-sufficiency; reduce costs of extended emergency shelter; provide diversion from homelessness; and promote the effective navigation and compliance of the immigration process. The new program would complement the existing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Shelter and Services Program that provides critical support such as food, water, shelter, and medical treatment to new immigrants following their release from the Department of Homeland Security.
“Immigrants come to the United States in search of safety and refuge, many of them fleeing from dangerous conditions in their home countries and making arduous journeys,” said Meng. “Our immigration system needs the resources to process and receive all the people who come here in humane and orderly ways. This increasingly includes the work of local and state government agencies as well as non-profit organizations, like those in my home state of New York, which serve individuals who are navi-
gating the immigration process. The Destination Reception Assistance Act would ensure that the federal government is doing its part to support communities welcoming immigrants and providing them with temporary housing, legal aid, job training, and other help they may need. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this long-overdue legislation to make our immigration system more orderly, efficient, and
welcoming.”
“I am proud to co-lead the introduction of the Destination Reception Assistance Act,” Espaillat said. “This innovative bill would provide billions in new funding to assist cities and localities across the nation that are the ‘final destination’ for asylum seekers—including in New York City. In addition to helping keep families together through temporary economic relief, this
new legislation would supplement the existing ‘Shelter and Services Program’ and allow cities to welcome asylum seekers with dignity by providing them with longer-term assistance as they find work and integrate into American life. Our bill provides a lifeline to asylum seeking families who have fled unspeakable harm and come to America to work and pursue the American dream.”
The Destination Reception Assistance Act would establish in the Office of Refugee Resettlement a new Destination Reception Services Program New Arrival Services Board and authorize a grant program to provide funding for medium-term services to asylum seekers and parolees, including noncustodial housing services, rental and utility assistance, and workforce development services. The New Arrival Services Board would award competitive grants and federal block grants to communities that provide eligible services to asylum seekers and parolees. Communities receiving funding through federal block grants would be eligible to receive $1 of federal funding for every $1 of non-federal funding. By promoting self-sufficiency, the Destination Reception Services Program will take pressure off states, localities, and non-profit emergency providers and free up public resources for everyone. Access to shelter, housing, workforce development, and other support services will allow our neighbors and communities to thrive, Meng said.
Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng
“The Destination Reception Assistance Act would ensure that the federal government is doing its part to support communities welcoming immigrants and providing them with temporary housing, legal aid, job training, and other help they may need,” Rep. Meng said.
Courtesy of NYPD, DCJS
Mayor, City Council Announce Historic Plan to Make High-Quality Child Care More Affordable
By Forum Staff
Mayor Eric Adams and leadership of the City Council on Thursday announced a historic joint effort to strengthen early childhood education across the five boroughs and address longstanding systemic issues, while boosting enrollment and connecting families with more Pre-K and 3-K seats.
The strategic plan – developed by an unprecedented joint Adams administration-Council working group, chaired by Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar and Speaker Adams – will be anchored by $100 million in new city investment allocated in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Budget to implement an action-oriented roadmap for outreach and seat allocation across the city. With the new $100 million investment, the total investment in the FY25 city budget for early childhood education is $3 billion, comprised of $2 billion for early childhood education programming for children aged zero to five and approximately $1 billion for preschool special education.
To continue building on this success and accomplish a comprehensive re-imagining of the early childhood education system in New York City, the Adams administration and the City Council have created a 10-point plan that will be executed by New York City Public Schools, the Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education and multiple city agencies, in partnership with the Council to:
1. Increasing 3-K Access for Families This School Year
The Adams administration committed to ensuring all children who applied for 3-K for the 2024-2025 school year will have access to a high-quality early childhood education seat and has delivered on that commitment. To accomplish this goal, the city added $20 million in the FY25 Adopted Budget to immediately meet the needs of families. Within weeks, New York City Public Schools expanded 3-K capacity to more than 1,500 additional seats in the specific zip codes across several districts in which families did not receive an initial offer. With the passage of the adopted budget, 100 percent of families that initially didn't receive a 3-K offer now have received one.
2. E xpanding Family Outreach Strategy
Lacking access to resources about the availability of early childhood education and how to apply is a major barrier to entry for many families. To directly address this access-gap, the Adams administration and the City Council have invested a total of $5 million for an outreach effort to maximize the number of children enrolled in 3-K and Pre-K. The effort conducts targeted outreach to communities with under-enrollment and bring resources directly to communities. Launched in July
2024, this comprehensive outreach plan will leverage partnerships with community partners and community-based organizations to facilitate direct engagement with families and provide hands-on enrollment support.
3. Increasing Preschool Special Education Classrooms
The Adams administration will continue to increase preschool special education classrooms to ensure early childhood education across New York City is inclusive of all children. In 2022, the Adams administration announced a historic contract enhancement and committed to creating 800 preschool special education seats, which grew to over 900. New York City Public Schools increased teacher pay for this critical sector at a time when it was suffering due to underinvestment and difficulty hiring staff, which resulted in stabilizing over 6,500 seats.
the opportunity to access free extended hours of 3-K and Pre-K in their own communities. The pilot includes communities with the highest economic need index and where there is limited or no extended day programming. Now, this effort will be propelled by $25 million more , bringing the total investment to $40 million and the opportunity to provide access to thousands of families.
5. E xpanding Support for Undocumented Children Through Promise NYC
The Adams administration and the City Council will continue to support undocumented children and their families who are not eligible for state- and federally-subsidized child care due to their immigration status by expanding Promise NYC, from $16 million in FY24 to $25 million in FY25. Launched in January 2023, the program contracts with four communitybased organizations to help families across
This investment will be sustained and further expanded with a historic commitment of $122 million. This includes baselining $67 million for preschool contract enhancements for community-based organizations and the addition of $55 million in new city funds for New York City Public Schools to expand hundreds of preschool special education seats across district schools for the 2024-2025 school year. This fall, 450 additional special education seats will be available with the goal of reaching 700 throughout the school year.
4. Providing Free Extended Hours of Early Childhood Education for Children and Their Families
Extended day offerings eliminate multiple barriers for parents to maintain employment or further their education while their child is in a safe, high-quality environment later into the evening. That is why the FY24 Adopted Budget baselined $15 million for New York City Public Schools to launch the first-ever pilot, providing funding to give over 1,700 families
all five boroughs access and afford child care. Within three months of its launch, Promise NYC had surpassed its initial goal of enrolling 600 children. The additional funds will allow approximately 1,000 children to enroll in child care through Promise NYC.
6. Funding the Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education
The Adams administration will provide sustainable funding of approximately $485,000 for three additional staff members in the Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, which is charged with coordinating early childhood education efforts across the city and executing on this 10-point plan. Funding for this office was previously provided by philanthropic dollars.
7. Providing Deeper Support for Child Care and Early Childhood Education Providers and Programs
The Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education will ensure a holistic approach to child care and early
childhood education policy in New York City through collaborative strategy and planning with city agencies. The Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education will create formal mechanisms for cross-agency collaboration and accountability, and convene agencies to tackle emerging cross-agency issues and plan long-term strategies for the child care sector. Using feedback and input from child care and early childhood providers, the Mayor's Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education will work with city agencies to review, assess, and streamline city polices and processes to make it easier for child care providers to sustain their operations and thrive.
8. Establishing the "Child Care Advisory Group"
Delivering on a key priority outlined in Mayor Adams’ “Accessible, Equitable, High-Quality, Affordable: A Blueprint for Child Care and Early Childhood Education in New York City,” the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education will establish the “Child Care Advisory Group,” comprised of providers, parents, key early childhood stakeholders, and city agencies that work in partnership with the administration to ultimately deliver accessible, high-quality child care across the city. The advisory group – which was established in July 2024 –works with the Adams administration to ensure alignment with provider and family priorities and needs, provide input on the design of new strategies, and support planning and implementation of key policies.
9. Convening Bi-Weekly Meetings Between the Adams Administration and the City Council
To execute this plan and address longstanding challenges across the complex and dynamic early childhood education system, the Adams administration and City Council will hold bi-weekly meetings, chaired by Deputy Mayor Almanzar and Speaker Adams, that includes members of the City Council, participants from the Office of Management and Budget, New York City Public Schools, and the Office of the Chief of Staff to Mayor Adams. The outside of these meetings to coordinate efforts and information-sharing across city agencies.
10. Ensuring City Agencies Have the Staff and Resources to Support the Infrastructure of the City’s Early Childhood Education System
The Adams administration and City agencies will work together to ensure adequate and sufficient staffing structures that are integral to the sustainability and growth of the city's early childhood system. This includes staff and resources working on subsidy applications determinations, enrollment into vacant child care seats, background checks, health and safety, and training and technical assistance supports for early childhood programs.
Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
Mayor Adams and leadership of the City Council announced a historic joint effort to strengthen early childhood education across the five boroughs.
AMPLIFIED AUTOMATION LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/01/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to BRIAN HUMPHRIES, 212 MESEROLE STREET, 3A, BROOKLYN, NY, 11206,USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
CARING PATHWAY SERVICES, LLC
Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 8/5/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 150-38 Union Tpke., Flushing, NY 11367, which is also the principal business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
S.H.E.SERVICES LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 4/26/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
HOTTSPOTT LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/05/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to SALVADOR CALIO, 142 BEACH 127TH STREET, ROCKAWAY PARK, NY, 11694, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
10-17 47TH AVENUE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/29/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 6043 Maspeth Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
EILEEN O’CONNELL STUDIO
LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/27/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to UNITED STATE CORPORATION AGENTS, 7014 13TH AVENUE, SUITE 202, BROOKLYN, NY, 11106, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
SPK CAPITAL HOLDINGS, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/05/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
SHANGRI-LA VACATION HOMES
LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/11/20. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to PHURPA LAMA, 3258 79TH STREET, EAST ELMHURST, NY, 11370. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Legal Notices
BOTTLE BLONDE LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 8/14/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
BTLOC, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 8/8/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
FREEDOM ORTHOLAB LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 8/12/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
STRATOCEAN CONSULTING
LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/26/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the DONG CHEN 62-54 ELLWELL CRESCENT, REGO PARK, NY, 11374, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
40-11 23RD STREET LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/02/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 40-11 23rd Street, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: MOM 43RD LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/21/2024, office location Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to the LLC, 102-38 43rd Avenue, Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
JPS HIGHGATE GROUP LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/02/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of Hillside Story Property LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 8/12/24. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 15 Francis Terrace, Glen Cove, NY 11542. Purpose: any lawful activity.
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF THE TRUMAN 2021 SC9 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. KEYA ROYSTER AS ADMINISTRATRIX AND HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PAMELA JAMES, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 10, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, on the second floor in Courtroom 25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on September 20, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., premises known as 69-32 Burchell Avenue, Arverne, NY 11692. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Arverne, in the Fifth Ward of the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 16048 and Lot 45. Approximate amount of judgment is $312,382.74 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #728147/2021. Michael F. Mongelli, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 221030-1
MELANYX SKIN LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/01/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
EONLIGHT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/23/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to YA XI WANG, 58-40 217TH STREET, BAYSIDE, NY, 113641912,USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
ORDINARY SUNDAY FILMS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/21/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Nightcap Creative, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/29/2024. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 5205 Queens B lvd, 6G Woodside, NY 11377. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
SWEET LUXE OASIS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/21/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: COSEY CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS PLLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/24/2024, office location Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to the LLC, 2244 JACKSON AVE., APT 1615, LONG ISMAND CITY, NY, 11101, USA. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of MIO IT SOLUTIOINS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 8/21/24. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:DAVID DIAZ 13421 HAWTREE STREET, QUEENS, NY, 11417, USA. Purpose: any lawful activity.
SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF QUEENS.
NYCTL 1998-2 TRUST, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Collateral Agent and Custodian for the NYCTL 1998-2 TRUST, Plaintiffs -against- 118-80 MONTAUK LLC, e t al. Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated July 15, 2024 a nd entered on July 24, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, 88-11 Sutphin B lvd., in Courtroom # 25, Jamaica, NY 11435, on Friday, or at such other location in the courthouse that the Court may designate for conducting this foreclosure auction on October 4, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough a nd County of Queens, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the westerly side of Montauk Street, distant 732.74 feet southerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the said westerly side of Montauk Street and the s outherly side of Baisley Boulevard; being a plot 76 feet by 156.13 feet by 229.22 feet by 30 feet. Block: 12452 Lot: 79 Said premises known as 11880 MONTAUK STREET, SAINT ALBANS, NY 11412 Approximate amount of lien $285,733.99, through January 4, 2024, plus interest fees & costs.Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment a nd Tems of Sale.Index Number 704668/2020.
JOSEPH F. DEFELICE, ESQ.., Referee Sey farth Shaw LLPAttorney(s) for P laintiffs 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018
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