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New York City Libraries Awarded $4 Million Grant from Carnegie Corporation

BQE Admin on September 26, 2024

Courtesy New York City Libraries

New York City’s public libraries will enhance services for immigrants and teens with a $4 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, focusing on English language skills, workforce development, and civic engagement.

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

New York City’s public libraries are set to enhance their services for immigrants, asylum seekers, and teens following a $4 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. This funding will specifically bolster programs aimed at improving English language skills and workforce development for adults, while expanding civic engagement and college readiness initiatives for teens.

“In the words of Andrew Carnegie himself, ‘there is not such a cradle of democracy on earth as the free public library,’” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie and former head of the University of Oxford. “In honor of our founder and the enduring and crucial importance of libraries to a free, open, and educated society, Carnegie is delighted to support libraries and the essential infrastructure they provide for a strong democracy.” 

The grants will be distributed among three library systems: $1.8 million to The New York Public Library, $1.2 million to Queens Public Library, and $1 million to Brooklyn Public Library. These funds will help reduce waitlists for English language classes—some stretching up to two years—and improve access to employment services that teach essential job-related vocabulary and skills.

The Queens Public Library plans to enhance its offerings by adding 40 new ESOL classes across ten locations, aiming to serve 1,000 students. This expansion comes as the library faces a growing waitlist of 2,000 individuals. In addition to language instruction, QPL will provide workforce training and certifications for approximately 560 English-language learners, helping them secure industry-recognized qualifications. A new Spanish-language Young Adult Literacy Services class will also be introduced at the Ravenswood Houses in Long Island City, aimed at preparing young adults for high school equivalency exams

“We are incredibly grateful to the Carnegie Corporation for entrusting Queens Public Library to carry forward its vision for our democracy,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “This generous gift will enable us to deepen the Library’s commitment to our immigrant communities and to our teens as they work to find success in their lives.”

Brooklyn Public Library will implement drop-in Welcome ESOL classes to support 1,200 English language learners, focusing on essential skills and everyday topics such as transportation and healthcare. The library will also expand its 11-week beginner ESOL courses and introduce intermediate classes for nearly 300 students. Furthermore, BPL’s New Americans Navigation team will assist over 1,100 new arrivals in accessing vital services, while the hiring of dedicated job support specialists will provide tailored career services to more than 1,900 individuals.

“For many new immigrants, the neighborhood library is not only their first stop upon arriving in New York City, but a place they return to over and over again for free resources, employment services, community, and, of course, English classes and books. Proficiency in English is critical in modern American life, from riding the subway to finding healthcare, employment, and housing,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library. “We extend our sincerest thanks to Carnegie Corporation of New York for this historic grant. When we welcome new immigrants and help them succeed, we build a better, stronger, more equitable community for us all.”

The New York Public Library will allocate resources for 3,150 seats in its registration-based ESOL program, including classes at the soon-to-be-reopened Hunts Point Library, an original Carnegie branch. Beyond language training, NYPL will offer a range of complementary learning opportunities, such as digital skills development and job search assistance. The library will also enhance its teen services, expanding the successful Teen Civics Ambassador program to 18 locations and introducing a studio mentor service, allowing teens to engage with professionals in creative projects like fashion design and podcasting.

“The New York Public Library is grateful to continue its legacy partnership with Carnegie Corporation of New York. More than 100 years ago, Andrew Carnegie’s vision helped create New York City’s most used and loved civic institution, a vital engine of opportunity that makes knowledge and education accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status. Together, we will continue to be a public education resource and a force for unity in a vulnerable democracy,” said Anthony W. Marx, President and CEO of the New York Public Library.

According to city estimates, nearly 1.8 million residents are not proficient in English, highlighting the urgent need for these programs. Recent studies show that investments in English language training can significantly boost annual earnings for adult learners, creating a strong case for continued funding in this area.

The grant from the Carnegie Corporation reinforces its long-standing commitment to libraries, which have historically served as community pillars for education and civic engagement.

New York Immigration Coalition Hosts Key to the City Resource Fair

BQE Admin on September 26, 2024

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) successfully hosted its annual Key to the City resource fair at Paseo Park On Saturday, September 21, drawing significant participation from the community. The event, aimed at supporting immigrant families, provided essential items such as school supplies, sanitary products, and diapers.

Celebrating over a decade of service, the NYIC has established itself as a vital resource for immigrant communities across New York. According to a coalition spokesperson, this year alone, the organization has reached over 5,000 individuals and distributed more than 40,000 resources through 58 events, with plans for five additional gatherings by the end of the year.

The Key to the City event offered a range of services, including immigration legal consultations, health resource access, and social services workshops. 

Attendees engaged with various service providers, receiving assistance on topics from school enrollment to navigating immigration processes. The goal, organizers stated, was to empower immigrants with essential knowledge and resources to thrive in New York City.

Forest Hills Business Alliance Celebrates Successful Fourth Annual Community Day

BQE Admin on September 26, 2024

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

The Metro Village of Forest Hills, Inc. proudly hosted its fourth annual Community Day on Saturday, September 21 on Metropolitan Avenue. This year’s event held special significance as the organization celebrated its recent achievement of non-profit status, having been established during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Attendees enjoyed the “Meet Your Neighbors on Metro” passport game, which encouraged exploration of local businesses, as well as a variety of food offerings, giveaways, and engaging activities. A free trolley ride was available for guests, adding to the festive atmosphere.

“A major reason why Forest Hills is such a great neighborhood is that it is served by a variety of family-owned small businesses that richly contribute to the fabric of the community,”  said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “This year’s Fourth Annual Community Day event will celebrate Forest Hills and help support Metropolitan Avenue’s hard-working businesses owners.  I congratulate Metro Village of Forest Hills, Inc. for organizing Community Day and for doing all the work it does to promote and strengthen Forest Hills.”

“As a proud supporter of Metro Village, I’m thrilled to see them achieve non-profit status and continue their important work in strengthening our vibrant Forest Hills community. This year’s fourth annual Community Day is a wonderful celebration of the diversity, unity, and spirit that make our neighborhood so special,” said NYC Council Member Lynn Schulman. 

Metropolitan Avenue, nestled near the historic Forest Hills Gardens, boasts a collection of long-standing family-owned businesses that create a charming, village-like atmosphere. The Metro Village of Forest Hills aims to foster collaboration among local business owners and residents, promoting the avenue as a go-to destination for shopping, dining, and community engagement.

In recent years, the organization has made notable contributions to the area, including revitalizing the streets with holiday lights, hosting an art crawl featuring local artists, and organizing community clean-ups to enhance the neighborhood’s beauty. Community Day served as a vibrant celebration of the unity and spirit that define Forest Hills.

St. Mary’s Receives $75K Grant for Eye Gaze Technology

BQE Admin on September 26, 2024

Courtesy St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children received a $75,000 grant from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation to enhance communication for non-verbal children through eye gaze technology.

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children has been awarded a significant $75,000 grant from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation to enhance communication capabilities for non-verbal, medically complex children through advanced eye gaze technology. This funding will support the acquisition of specialized devices designed to track eye movement, enabling children to express their thoughts and needs without verbal communication.

 

The grant is particularly timely, as the hospital seeks to address the unique challenges faced by children who, despite having cognitive awareness, struggle to communicate due to their medical conditions. Of the total grant, $59,000 will be allocated to procure three comprehensive eye gaze systems, which include state-of-the-art eye gaze devices, eye gaze tablets, and both wheelchair and floor mounts. The remaining $16,000 will go towards purchasing eight additional tablets along with educational software tailored to facilitate learning and communication.

 

Eye gaze technology is a vital component of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) therapy, which provides children with non-traditional means of expression. This can include gestures, facial expressions, and even pointing to images. 

 

Dr. Edwin Simpser, President and CEO of St. Mary’s, emphasized the transformative potential of this technology. 

 

“St. Mary’s has seen some incredible success stories with patients using our medical eye gaze devices, which is a testament to the dedication of our incredible staff and their ability to use technological advancements to change the lives of medically complex kids,”Simpser said.  “We are so grateful to the Amazin’ Mets Foundation for this generous grant for new eye gaze devices, which will bring hope and healing for families who may have never been able to communicate with their child before.”

Courtesy St. Mary’s

The funding will support eye gaze systems and tablets, helping medically complex kids express their needs and improve their quality of life.

Tiffany Damers, the Director of Rehabilitation at St. Mary’s, elaborated on how the partnership with the Amazin’ Mets Foundation came to fruition. 

 

“ This is the first time we had received a grant from this foundation, and so we’re very excited to develop a new partnership with this organization,” Damers said. “And thanks to their support, we should be able to fund a number of these devices. And these devices are a high tech speech generating device that will help medically complex children be able to speak through this device by the use of their eyes.”

 

The eye gaze devices function through a sophisticated eye-tracking system that closely resembles a tablet. A specialized tracking bar is attached to the device, which monitors the child’s eye movements. A multidisciplinary team of speech therapists, occupational therapists, and special educators calibrates each device to suit individual needs. This technology allows children to produce speech output simply by blinking or focusing on specific icons on the screen. 

 

St. Mary’s has already begun integrating two eye gaze devices on-site and is witnessing promising results.

 

“The progress that we see is that a child who may was maybe was frustrated because they could not verbally communicate, as you and I do with our voice and their general gesture, these children now have been unlocked, and now they can communicate with their eyes through this device, and now have a voice that can come through the machine,” Damers said. “So they may be able to say no more or once they play and then indicate what they desire.”

 

Looking ahead, St. Mary’s aims to expand its inventory of eye gaze devices to ensure that each patient has consistent access to their communication tools.

 

 “We’ve seen a great improvement in their quality of life,” Damers said. “We’ve seen a reduction in their frustration at being able to now communicate their desires, and we’ve also been successfully able to discharge them home with the devices if they are part of our short term care program here within our skills.”

 

In addition to the eye gaze technology, the grant will also fund the purchase of tablets equipped with dedicated applications that facilitate a broader range of communication methods. This will allow for a more flexible approach to communication, catering to children with varying levels of mobility. 

 

As the only center for pediatric long-term and rehabilitative care in New York City, St. Mary’s has been dedicated to serving the city’s children for over 150 years. The organization provides a continuum of care that includes inpatient hospital services, home care, and community programs aimed at improving the lives of children with medically complex conditions.

 

With the support of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children is poised to continue its mission of providing innovative care and communication solutions for children facing profound challenges. The integration of eye gaze technology marks a significant step forward in ensuring that every child, regardless of their condition, has a voice.

 

St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children has been a leading provider of long-term and rehabilitative care for critically ill and injured children since the 1870s. It is one of the few organizations in the country dedicated to providing intensive rehabilitation, specialized care, and education to children with special needs and life-limiting conditions. Through its commitment to innovation and compassionate care, St. Mary’s continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children it serves.

 

Jonathan Rinaldi Eyes Assembly District 28

BQE Admin on September 26, 2024

Rinaldi’s Campaign Focuses on Giving Voice to the Overlooked Voter

Jonathan Rinaldi is campaigning for New York’s Assembly District 28 as a voice for the “forgotten voter.”

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

In a race that has ignited passions and highlighted local concerns, Jonathan Rinaldi is making his mark as the Republican candidate for New York’s Assembly District 28, which encompasses Middle Village, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Rego Park, and Glendale. A lifelong resident of Queens, Rinaldi has deep roots in the community, having attended local Forest Hills schools and now raising three children, aged 19, 16, and 12, in the same neighborhood he calls home.

Rinaldi’s platform is centered on key issues such as health and human services, youth education and child welfare, public safety, infrastructure, and zoning.

Rinaldi’s campaign emphasizes the importance of planning and community development in his approach to governance.

One of Rinaldi’s most notable legislative disagreements is with the proposal of Bill A6761, which addresses medical decision-making, alongside A2905, which seeks to countermand vaccine mandates. He has also voiced strong opposition to what he describes as ideological impositions regarding transgender issues and college vaccine mandates.

Rinaldi’s conviction that “our rights are granted by God” reflects his broader belief in personal freedoms, especially concerning parental rights in education and healthcare decisions.

 “I believe the money should follow the student. A parent who pays taxes and contributes should have choices—religious, home, charter. There shouldn’t be a monopoly on education,” he said, advocating for funding that supports parents’ choices in homeschooling and religious instruction.

Despite his ambitions, Rinaldi’s journey has not been without hurdles. He was not endorsed by the Republican Party, leading him to gather signatures independently to qualify for the ballot. This effort reflects his determination to represent what he describes as “the forgotten voter.”

“I’m appealing to the forgotten person/voter,” Rinaldi said. “I want to make sure that everyone is aware of what’s being written, what policies are being written, what legislation is being presented.”

The political landscape of Assembly District 28 is also marked by pressing issues like migration and housing. Rinaldi has been critical of the city’s approach to accommodating migrants.

“We don’t have a housing problem, we have an illegal alien housing problem because we don’t have any place to put them,” Rinaldi said. “The city can’t afford to house the illegals, so they’re going to be putting them on Section 8.”

He argues that the city is overwhelmed and cannot afford to house undocumented immigrants, thereby exacerbating the existing housing crisis. His focus on Section 8 housing policies highlights a broader concern about the allocation of resources in an already strained system.

His platform prioritizes health, education, public safety, and housing, emphasizing parental rights and community accountability while criticizing current policies on migration and education funding.

As a member of the Central Queens Republican Club in Forest Hills, Rinaldi is actively engaging with local civic groups and community boards. He emphasizes the need for residents to be informed about legislative actions and holds elected officials accountable for their decisions.

Rinaldi’s commitment to public safety is deeply personal. He recounts a recent incident involving a friend who was carjacked at gunpoint in Forest Hills, a moment that has fueled his desire to create a safer environment for families. Rinaldi envisions a community where crime is significantly reduced.

“Children should be able to walk down the street without fear,” Rinaldi said.

In his vision for the future of District 28, Rinaldi hopes to foster an environment where parents have full control over their children’s education and healthcare decisions, including vaccination choices. He criticizes the current administration for overreach and advocates for shrinking the size of government.

“I want parents to have 100 percent decision on vaccines and other medical choices,” Rinaldi said. “We need to shrink the size of the government if possible.”

Rinaldi’s connection to his Jewish heritage also shapes his outreach efforts. He is particularly focused on engaging the Jewish community in his district, stressing the importance of understanding the implications of current political dynamics on Israel and Jewish interests.

Looking ahead, Rinaldi has his sights set on more than just winning the election. He is also eyeing potential opportunities to succeed Robert Holden on the City Council, advocating for a proactive approach to governance that prioritizes community needs. He has been vocal about the necessity for the immediate resignation of Republican chair Tony Nunziato, asserting that he does not deserve to be in that seat if he cannot effectively represent constituents.

“You do not deserve to be in that seat,” Rinaldi said. “When someone is going to vote in favor of city policies that nobody wants, they need to be held accountable.”

As the election date approaches, Jonathan Rinaldi remains focused on rallying support and ensuring that the voices of Queens residents are heard. His blend of local advocacy, personal experience, and professional expertise paints a picture of a candidate determined to bring change to Assembly District 28. In his own words, he aims to “appeal to the forgotten person/voter,” and he is ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead.

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