PSS June 2023 Newsletter

June 2023

It's Primary Season - Polls Are Open

Early voting runs through Sunday, June 25. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 27. Click here to find your poll site for early voting on Primary Day.

Here's a guide to the candidates from the NYC Board of Elections. Learn more about ranked choice voting (select up to five candidates) and the June primary from Democracy Now!, a program from the NYC Civic Engagement Commission. (CEC) Click here.

Among the districts with council seats in play are District 9 (Central Harlem) and District 13 (East Bronx). Read more from City & State.

New Yorkers age 11 and up also have until June 25 to vote in the first participatory budgeting campaign conducted by the NYC CEC. Click here to weigh in on how $5 million will be spent on community projects. Learn more.

Volunteer Appreciation Day

PSS volunteers got the red carpet treatment to celebrate their VIP status at the first in-person post-pandemic Volunteer Appreciation Day. Organized by PSS HR and Volunteer Manager Sara Mejia, the stars aligned for two hours of fun, food and certificates of appreciation in the community room at the Grandparent Family Apartments.

The intergenerational festivities encouraged volunteers to get to know each other by filling a Bingo match card. PSS couldn't do what it does without its volunteers. Learn more here.

Protect Your Lungs

NYC experienced an unprecedented air quality alert earlier this month from the downward drift of Canadian wildfires that turned the skies orange. Mayor Eric Adams warned that anyone with a respiratory condition and older adults should stay indoors as much as possible and wear a mask when outside.

Here are what the different levels of the Air Quality Index mean:

0 to 50 – Good – Air quality is satisfactory.
51 to 100 – Moderate – Air quality is acceptable.
101 to 150 – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups – Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects.
151 to 200 – Unhealthy – Everyone may begin to experience health effects.
201 to 300 – Very Unhealthy – This triggers a health alert.
300 + – Hazardous

Click here to get a real-time read on the Air Quality Index (AQI) throughout NYC.

This interview from Gothamist explains what is happening and offers ways to protect yourself when the AQI is elevated:

Wear a mask, with N95 or KN95 recommended.
Minimize any physical activity.
Keep windows closed.

PSS Older Adult Centers follow the lead of NYC Aging and remained open during the recent crisis. If ever in doubt, call your center or visit the PSS Facebook page for updates.

Around the Centers

Members of PSS Morrisania Air Rights Center got a chance to support their community by helping to paint the 161st Street Mural. (below)

Celebrating Freedom Day

JUNETEENTH ... The Quilting Divas of PSS Harlem Center are back with another exhibit, this one linked to the holiday. Quilts are on display through July 31 and the public is invited to see the work at Oberia D. Dempsey Center, 127 W. 127th St., Room 125. Call (212) 222-3132 to schedule a group viewing.

FEAST FOR THE 'TEENTH... PSS King Towers Center and PSS Harlem Center enjoyed a joint Juneteenth and Father's Day celebration at King Towers. (above) Despite some rain, the day was full of joy and community: a theme for many Black Americans celebrating on the holiday. Many members wore beautiful Juneteenth shirts custom-made by PSS King Towers Center Director KaTrina Dinham.

More Father's Day Magic

It was a full house at PSS City Island Center for a Father's Day magic show featuring the island's own John Turdo, or Simply Magic. Here he is at the participatory event with member Horst Gerber. Fathers received a gift and a special meal was served, complete with ice cream. Rabbits, mice and doves were among the live things conjured up during the hour-long show.

(No one can say the activities offered at PSS Older Adult Centers are dull! If you have a passion to share, let us know about it!)

Sign the Letter for Better Wifi

HelpNYC invites New Yorkers to sign its letter to Mayor Eric Adams and Speaker Adrienne Adams in support of extending 5G services and free wifi connectivity into underserved neighborhoods. Act now.

The NYC Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity (TRIE) learned during the pandemic that investment in underserved neighborhoods changes outcomes and neighbors are empowered to improve their lives and those of their neighbors.

LinkNYC kiosks are one of the few ways for sheltered and homeless residents to access public information. Various neighborhoods are lobbying their community boards to halt expansion of the 5G towers, claiming they create health hazards and are unsightly.

Free Online Events from PSS Life! University

Co-Creating Sustainable Living: Implementing a Healthier Future for People and Planet

Wednesday, June 28 7:00 to 8:00 PM EDT

Personal experience with her great-grandmother fueled Monica Eastway's determination to make a positive change in the elder care system. The result is the Eco Generation Park Model, an impactful, nature-inspired, age-integrated, elder-centered and resident-sustained model designed to enhance quality of life and well-being for all ages.

With older adults the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population, this Coming of Age webinar about neighborhood-based care solutions should be of interest to all.

FREE on Zoom

NYC Housing Court and Staying in Your Home Tuesday, July 11 10:00 to 11:00 AM EDT

The latest in this Chat With the Expert series, a collaboration with NYC Aging, focuses on navigating NYC Housing Court post-COVID and the resources available to help tenants in housing court proceedings.

FREE on Zoom

Click here for our full schedule of informative online events and meetings.