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Dear Friends,
Each June, as the legislative session draws to a close, I tell myself that life will surely quiet down a bit now that summer is here. This never ends up being the case, as District 37 is buzzing with news, events and activities year-round.
Our Office is Moving! This summer is an especially busy one, as my staff and I are packing up our District Office in Port Chester to move to our new location in the heart of downtown White Plains, at 235 Mamaroneck Avenue. While I will miss the office I have called home since 2018, and our wonderful neighbors in the Port Chester Village Hall, our new office will be more accessible to our constituents, and is easily reachable by Bee-Line buses. I will share more details as moving day approaches, but we expect to be settled in by the first week of August. All are welcome to visit us there!
This week, I hosted a panel of community members and youth leaders at the White Plains Public Library for a forum on hate experienced by young people. I was tremendously inspired and moved by the young people who shared their own experiences, as well as the thoughtful and creative responses to these situations suggested by our distinguished panelists. You can read more about this below.
Finally, we all know that good nutrition is key to the well-being and success of our children. New York State guidelines for receiving Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits have changed, and some parents may need to apply for the next round. See below in the “Resources” section of this newsletter for complete information and how you can receive assistance with your application, or if you have difficulties with this.
As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please email me at smayer@nysenate.gov or call (914) 934-5250.
Warm regards,
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Shelley B. Mayer
State Senator
37th District
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Responding to Hate in Our Communities
I was proud to host a terrific conversation, “Responding to Hate in Our Communities: A Youth-Centered Approach to Developing Tools to Address and Prevent Hate” inspired by young people, including their experiences with incidents of hate and their effective responses to these incidents. Each young person offered such a unique perspective and was remarkable in her courage and commitment. Many thanks to our expert panelists Scott Richman, ADL Regional Director for New York and New Jersey; Joan Grangeois-Thomas, Trustee and Deputy Mayor, Village of Port Chester; Lisa Zeiderman, Esq, CFL, CDFA, President of the Justice Brandeis Law Society-9th Judicial District; Andrea Myer-Winograd, Executive Director, Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education; Virginia Norfleet, CEO and Founder, Haverstraw African American Connection and the White Plains Public Library for hosting us.
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Reading Buddies
It was such a joy to once again take part in Family Service Society of Yonkers’ Summer Reading Buddies Program, which serves hundreds of children in Yonkers, Ossining and Tarrytown. This wonderful program encourages children to love reading and to gain confidence in their literary skills — a confidence that will serve them well in school and beyond.
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Richard Cantor: Advocate for Mamaroneck Memorial Park
I was honored to present my friend Richard Cantor with a very special birthday proclamation. Richard has been a passionate advocate fighting to preserve the Richard M. Kemper Memorial Park in Mamaroneck, dedicated to Mamaroneck High School students who served our nation in the Armed Services and died in service. Finally this year, Assemblyman Steve Otis & I passed a bill to protect veterans’ memorials like this in the future. Thank you Richard!
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Visit to Heimat New York
I enjoyed meeting Ute Londrigan, owner of Heimat New York in Mamaroneck, alongside Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker. Heimat uses locally grown fruits in their handcrafted liqueurs and is a terrific example of unique new businesses created by Westchester’s dynamic entrepreneurs.
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Sister To Sister International, Inc. Picnic
I had a great time at the Sister to Sister International (STSI), INC. Friends & Family picnic. It was wonderful to see good friends, especially founder Cheryl Brannan. Credit to the board and members for the fantastic work they do on behalf of women, girls and families of African descent throughout the world.
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Declaration of Independence Reading in White Plains
I was happy to attend a reading of the Declaration of Independence at White Plains City Hall. Master storyteller Jonathan Kruk was spellbinding, and I enjoyed seeing the Revolutionary-era documents on display. I also stepped out behind City Hall to visit the Veterans Memorial Garden, for which I was able to secure funding, along with White Plains Mayor Tom Roach and members of the Westchester Daughters of the American Revolution.
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A Thank You from the Village of Rye Brook
My deepest appreciation to Village of Rye Brook Mayor Jason Klein and the Village Trustees for including my office among those thanked for their special work during COVID and Hurricane Ida, along with many other distinguished community volunteers!
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Opening of Expanded Warehouse at Feeding Westchester
I was proud to join Feeding Westchester as we cut the ribbon on an expanded warehouse! Credit to them for their remarkable efforts to serve our communities so effectively!
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This Weekend: We will have tables at the Farmers’ Markets listed below. Visit us for information and to ask questions! | |
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Down to Earth Larchmont Farmers Market
In the Metro-North parking lot
off Chatsworth Ave.
Saturday, July 22, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Down to Earth Rye Farmers Market
In the municipal parking lot
off Theodore Fremd Ave, behind
the Purchase St. stores
Sunday, July 23, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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Mobile Office Hours in Tuckahoe
My constituent services staff and I have partnered with the Village of Tuckahoe, and will hold mobile office hours at Tuckahoe Village Hall in the second floor meeting room from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26 and Wednesday, August 30. The Village Hall has an elevator and is fully accessible. All are welcome to stop by with questions! We speak English and Spanish.
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August Narcan Training in Yonkers
Learn to save a life! On August 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. join me at the Grinton I. Will Public Library in Yonkers for a free community Narcan Training. Learn to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and how to administer Narcan (Naloxone). Participants will receive a free emergency kit of Narcan and a
two-year Naloxone certification.
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Access to Care Health Fair
I am happy to partner with Access to Care Health fair at Open Door Mamaroneck. Join us between 10am and 2pm for information about health and wellness from community based organizations. You can also partake in fun activities, entertainment, and raffles for the whole family!
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Summer Reading Challenge
It’s important and fun for children to read when school is out! Our local libraries are an excellent place to explore this year’s New York State Senate Summer Reading program theme, “All Together Now.”
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Now Accepting Nominations for the New York State Empire Award
Has a small business or nonprofit within the 37th Senate District in Westchester made a difference in your life or your community? Click the link below to nominate it for an Empire Award!
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New State Guidelines for P-EBT
New York State guidelines for receiving your child's P-EBT food benefits have changed, and you may need to apply for the next round. If you are not sure, please call the P-EBT Helpline at 833-452-0096. Applications must be submitted by August 15, 2023.
Las pautas del estado de Nueva York para recibir los beneficios de alimentos P-EBT de su hijo han cambiado y es posible que deba presentar una solicitud para la próxima ronda. Si no está seguro, llame a la línea de ayuda de P-EBT al 833-452-0096. Las solicitudes deben enviarse antes del 15 de agosto de 2023.
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The New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Wants to Hear from You!
You are invited to participate in an opportunity related to our ongoing strategic planning activities. We are hosting in-person and virtual forums to share updates on the progress we are making toward reaching our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan goals and objectives and hearing your feedback. Find complete information here.
In-Person Forum in Westchester
August 3, 2023 • 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Westchester Institute for Human Development
20 Plaza West, Valhalla, NY 10595
Register here.
Online Forums
August 11, 2023 • 2 - 4 p.m.: Register here.
August 15, 2023 • 6 - 8 p.m.: Register here.
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