Education

NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund Issued over $110 Million to City’s Non-Profits

By Síle Moloney
The NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund announced on July 29 that more than $110 million in emergency support has been distributed to 768 New York City-based social services and arts and cultural nonprofits affected by the coronavirus public health crisis. More than $73 million in grant funding was managed by the New York Community Trust and over $37 million was managed by Nonprofit Finance Fund for no-interest loans.   Small to mid-sized nonprofits across New York’s five boroughs applied for grants or interest-free loans to ensure the continuity of their daily operations and to help counteract lost revenue that


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July 30 Deadline Approaching for NYS COVID Rent Relief Program

By Síle Moloney
  The NYS COVID Rent Relief Program is designed to support low-income households experiencing an increased rent burden due to a loss of income during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rent Relief Program provides a one-time payment to cover the difference between their rent burden on March 1, 2020 and the increase in rent burden during the months for which the household is applying for assistance (up to four months, from April through July 2020).   Program funding has been capped at $100 million. All applications received by the deadline of July 30, 2020 will be considered. New Yorkers already in


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South Bronx Student Wins National Scholarship

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Waly-Meissa Ndiaye is a teenager from the South Bronx. On July 22, it was announced that he was one of five students from New York City-area schools selected to receive a $10,000 college scholarship as a 2020 Milken Scholars program recipient (NYC Scholars) for his academic achievements and his service to the community. A former student at Bronx High School of Science, Ndiaye is a Gates Scholar, QuestBridge College Prep Scholar and AP Scholar with distinction.   “I’m thankful and feel very fortunate to become a part of the Milken Scholar community,” he said. “In just a few weeks, I’ve


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Espaillat Calls on Hispanic Caucus to Condemn Yoho’s Verbal Attack on AOC

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On July 24, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), who serves as Whip of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), called on the Leadership of Congress to urge formal action be taken to condemn Congressman Ted Yoho (FL-03) for what he called Yoho’s unacceptable conduct directed at Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) while on the steps of the United States Capitol on Tuesday, as reported by The Hill.   Espaillat and CHC members have called for the censure of Rep. Yoho to allow all House members to formally vote on a resolution disapproving of Rep. Yoho’s reprehensible behavior. Yoho said he regretted and attempted


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Six Bronx Schools Close, Late Night BBQs Rage, and Shelter Residents Move to Times Square: The Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out Now!

By Síle Moloney
Dear Readers, I hope you’re all safe, and surviving the current heatwave! On July 19, it reached 98 degrees in parts of the City. With the hot weather set to continue through the rest of the week, it’s really important for everyone, especially our elderly residents to stay cool and hydrated. Check out some of the tips we published from the American Heart Association on how to manage the heat and protect hearts.   With my sincere apologies for the delay, I confirm that this year’s eighth and latest edition of the Norwood News is out now. Our cover story


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Dinowitz: Vote By Mail Legislation Gathering Pace This Week, as Presidential Election Beckons

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As COVID-19 surges around the United States, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz has been pushing for legislation that would expand New York voters’ ability to vote by mail in upcoming elections. Building on efforts to authorize absentee voting following the latest primary elections on June 23, it appears that legislation from Dinowitz will be passed in a flurry of Albany activity this week.   The legislation would temporarily alter the definition of illness with respect to absentee voting eligibility to include “risk of contracting or spreading a disease that may cause illness to the voter or to other members of the public”.


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Six Bronx Catholic Schools Abruptly Close  

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On Thursday, July 9, the Archdiocese of New York announced that 20 Catholic schools, including six in the Bronx, would be unable to reopen in September due to lack of finances in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.   The affected Bronx schools are St. John’s School in Kingsbridge, St. Luke’s School in Motthaven, St. Thomas Aquinas School in West Farms, the Nativity of Our Blessed Lady School in Eastchester, Our Lady of the Assumption School in Pelham Bay, and Sts. Philip & James School in the East Bronx. Meanwhile, three Catholic schools in the State will merge.   The archdiocese confirmed


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Barbara Stronczer, Green Space Advocate, Honored with Garden Plaque

By Marisa Marotta
Green spaces have held a special place in the heart of local resident, Barbara Stronczer, for many years. It was only fitting, therefore, that her many years of advocacy to keep Bronx communities beautiful, clean and safe were honored on Tuesday, June 30.   A lifelong Bronx resident, Stronczer is passionate about keeping the City clean, and over time has been involved in everything from organizing park clean-ups to beautification projects, and simply helping people in the neighborhood.   She currently serves as president of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association and is chairperson of Bronx Community Board 7 Parks’ Committee.


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Black, Brown and Blue in the Bronx: Stories of Pain, Profiling, and Measured Promise – Part II

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
The following article is the second of a two-part feature story on the resonance of the Black Lives Matter protests in the Bronx.   Part II   Stories like the ones that follow are all too familiar in the Bronx.   It is not only in the streets of the City where tensions are rising between law enforcement officers and the public. The incarcerated population has also been the subject of abusive practices by those sworn to protect.   Norwood resident, José Saldana, is the director of Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) and has firsthand knowledge of how the


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