Gov. Kathy Hochul today announced that New Yorkers will have the option to choose "X" as a gender marker on their driver license, learner permit, or non-driver ID card. Photo Credit: NYS DMV/Twitter
May 31, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Lisa Derrick
derrickl@nyassembly.gov
718-940-0428
Department of Motor Vehicle Offers Gender Marker

amid the Coronavirus pandemic

NYS FEMA's Public Assistance Program; Governor's Island Summer Activities Return; CDC Travel Advisory Warning; and More!
RODNEYSE IN THE NEWS
Fox 5 New York's Good Day New York speaks with Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn on a bill she introduced called Sedrick's Law (A7016) in the name of Sedrick Simon after his death on a subway station platform.
STATE GOVERNMENT
State lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the Gender Recognition Act last year allowing the “X” option on driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and non-driver ID cards. Photo Credit: Hans Pennink for NY Post
  • Governor Hochul announced that New Yorkers will have the option to choose "X" as a gender marker on their driver license, learner permit, or non-driver ID card at all Department of Motor Vehicle offices statewide.
  • This will officially takes effect June 24. Read more here.
  • New York State will fully cover the non-federal share of FEMA's Public Assistance program.
  • The funding will assist local governments that were impacted by Tropical Storm Isaias, Tropical Storm Fred and Hurricane Ida. Read more here.
  • The deadline to apply is June 1, 2022. Learn more on how to apply for funding here.
  • Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams announced the completion of the Trinity-Reverend William James Senior Apartments in the Bronx.
  • The affordable housing development for seniors includes 153 apartments, with 57 apartments reserved for seniors who will have access to on-site supportive services through The Fortune Society. Read more here.
  • Governor Hochul attended the Rehoboth Open Bible Church in Brooklyn where she vow to continue to push for stricter gun-control laws. Read more here.
CITY GOVERNMENT
Photo credit: Julienne Schaer
  • NYC announced the return of programs on Governors Island during the summer.
  • The programs include activities, events, and cultural experiences that can be enjoyed during the warmer months. Read more here.
  • On May 27th, Mayor Adams and The New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez announced the last scheduled distribution of free wi-fi equipped mobile tablets in an effort to bridge the digital divide and help connect them with city services. A total of 11,000 devices have been distributed through DFTA's Free Tablet Initiative. Read more here.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Photo Credit: PBS Jason Mast, STAT
  • The CDC announced that as COVID-19 cases continue to increase, high-risk patients who are prescribed Paxlovid noticed that after a five-day course of the treatment, they experienced no symptoms that would lead them to go to the hospital. Read more here.
  • As Monkeypox cases continue to increase with over 200 confirmed, the CDC has announced a travel advisory to “Avoid Nonessential Travel.” Read more here.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Join NHS Brooklyn as they host a webinar on Applying for NYC Affordable Housing Lotteries tomorrow June 1 at 6:00PM. Register here.
The Octavia Project Summer Camp is a FREE summer camp for young women and trans, nonbinary, and/or gender non-conforming youth who are ages 10-13.
  • The Octavia Project Summer Camp will be held in person at the Urban Assembly Institute in Downtown Brooklyn from July 5 – July 28, 2022.
  • Workshops will run Monday through Thursday from 8:30am-3pm. The camp is 100% free and includes breakfast, lunch, and MetroCards. Learn more here.
  • Complete application by June 5th. Apply here.
Join CB 17 Parks and Beautification Committee to Paerdegat Park Cleanup.
RECOGNITION
BROOKLYN TESTING SITES
COVID-19 VACCINATION SITES
If you or someone you love would like to schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit here or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).
New York State is partnering with counties to provide in-home vaccinations for those who can't travel to a vaccine provider for medical or nonmedical reasons.

COVID VACCINE SCAM ALERT
DON'T FORGET YOUR MASK
MUTUAL AID NYC FOOD RESOURCES
Mutual Aid NYC is providing food assistance, resources, and other services. To get more information call their hotline at which you can call at 646-437-8080.
NYC SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE NETWORK
The NYC Small Business Resource Network is a unique private/public partnership that provides our local businesses with the free, personalized guidance they need right now to survive the pandemic. If you have a small business, you can sign up for this network today.

Once you fill out the brief intake form, you will be matched with a business support specialist. Through this program, all five borough Chambers of Commerce have specialists offering one-on-one support to businesses in their boroughs.
 
The program is funded by a $2.8 million grant from the New York City-based Peter G. Peterson Foundation and supported by in-kind contributions from other partners, this collaboration, led by the Partnership for New York City, the NYC Economic Development Corporation and all five Chambers of Commerce, leverages the city’s corporate, financial and professional services sectors, as well as universities, philanthropies and expert volunteers to help small business owners gain access to a range of programs and services.
COVID-19 RAPID TESTING BROOKLYN LOCATIONS
STOP THE SPREAD
WEARING FACE COVERINGS
AVOID SCAMS
Photo Credit: Pixabay/CDC
  • Notify NYC: Beware of COVID-19 scams!
  • Report price gouging to 311 or NYC.gov/dcwp. You can also file a complaint to the Attorney General's office by filling out a complaint form.
  • NYS Price Gouging Hotline: 800-697-1220.
  • CDC staff will NOT go door-to-door. If you experience this, call 911.
SERVICES AND RESOURCES
Photo Credit: Ansi.org
Due to the impact of COVID-19 on New York City's workforce, the City of New York has developed a list of resources for those who may be unemployed due to COVID-19 or are seeking additional assistance. The list below will be updated frequently.

It has information on the following categories:
  • Employment Resources
  • Food Assistance
  • Health & Medical Assistance
  • Financial Assistance
  • Rent Arrears and Public Assistance
  • Emotional Support & Spiritual Care
  • Other Assistance

Visit this website for resources.

NYS Department of Health Hotline for people who want to be assessed and get appointment for test (888-364-3065). NYC residents should call (844-692-4692).


The Hebrew Educational Society in partnership with MET Council has a food pantry that is open to all. To reserve a spot, visit here.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn covering Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood. She is currently the Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), Chair of the Task Force on Women's Issues and serves on the following committees: Housing, Government Operations, Education, Banks, Health, and Higher Education. She also sits on Governor Hochul's Domestic Violence Advisory Council and Mayor Adams MWBE Task Force.

As a current Assemblymember, District Leader, and Chair of Brooklyn Democratic Party, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn has been an outspoken advocate on issues concerning immigration, education, economic development, unemployment, education reform, health care access, senior citizen centers, affordable housing, school safety, women's and LGBTQ rights, as well as other issues affecting the quality of life in the community.

  
Learn more about 
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn by visiting her websites: