Bronx Connections: 2020 Election Local Lens: Housing and Education

By ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI

Norwood News, in partnership with WFUV radio and BronxNet Television, presents a five-part series on national issues affecting voters during the 2020 presidential election, seen through the local lens of Bronx neighborhood communities. Part five looks at housing and education. It’s no secret that the Bronx has challenges, that its richer neighbors to the North and South do not. It ranks last among New York counties in terms of health outcomes, has some of the poorest school districts, and some of the highest air pollution rates, but it also has people who care fiercely about it, people who want

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York Urban League and its partners invite community-based organizations (CBOs) to apply for a NYC Council Communities of Color Nonprofit Stabilization Fund (CCNSF) grant by the new extended deadline of Nov. 6, 2020 at 5 p.m. The New York City Council established the Communities of Color Nonprofit Stabilization Fund (CCNSF) in recent years and has allocated $2.5 million to award grants to support Black, Latino, and Asian-led community-based organizations throughout New York City’s five boroughs. The first New York City Council fund of its kind, CCNSF aims to build the capacity of New York City nonprofits

By Síle Moloney & Miriam Quinoñes

A back-to-school giveaway was held at Gun Post Lanes bowling alley on Saturday, Sept. 26 on East Gun Hill Road in the Laconia section of the Bronx. The event included a special musical performance by old school, hip-hop artist, Melle Mel, who used the occasion to share some stories about his vast experience in the music industry, and to encourage local youth to stay in school. Melvin Glover, better known by his stage names, Melle Mel and Grandmaster Melle Mel, was born in the Bronx on May 15, 1961. He is a recording artist who was the lead vocalist

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The grand opening of long-awaited ADA compliant elevators at Bedford Park Boulevard subway station took place on the Grand Concourse on Thursday, Oct. 15. MTA Construction & Development President, Janno Lieber, launched the opening alongside a group of MTA colleagues, and was also joined by elected officials, Congressman Adriano Espaillat and State Assemblyman José Rivera. Speaking at the launch, Espaillat said, “There are three elevators, one up here [street level], and two downstairs [at subway level], and they were built at a cost of $38.2 million,” he said, adding that it was an extraordinary project. He then

By AUGUSTINA KWAFO-BAIDOO

October is National Dental Hygiene Month, a perfect time to remember to take care of our oral health. When people think about a healthy lifestyle, eating more fruits and vegetables, increasing physical activity, limiting alcohol, getting more sleep and making time for self-care often top the list. But, taking care of our oral health is also an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and the health of our mouth, teeth and gums affects the way we talk, smile, eat and present ourselves to the world. Just like the rest of our body, the mouth is full of good

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Foundation for Excellence in Education (FLAG) Award for Teaching Excellence has opened its nomination process for this school year’s awards program. The program recognizes and celebrates extraordinary public school teachers in each borough who inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment. It is an extension from last year’s launch in Manhattan. One grand-prize winner from each New York City borough will receive a $25,000 cash prize, and each finalist will receive a $10,000 prize. In addition, each winner’s school will receive $10,000, and each finalist’s school will receive $2,000 for an arts-based initiative that the recipients will create

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Oct. 15, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that New York launched new Domestic Violence Regional Councils that will help transform and modernize delivery of services for victims, survivors and their families. “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and throughout the pandemic we have seen an alarming rise in domestic violence cases,” the governor said. “These 10 new councils will engage with local experts to help domestic violence survivors and their families.” The governor added that it was also an important reminder for people that they aren’t trapped because of COVID. “If there is an issue where you face imminent

By SÍLE MOLONEY

With the deadline for the U.S Census now set for Oct. 16 at 6 a.m., several Bronx public charter schools are encouraging communities throughout the Bronx to ensure they fill out the census and get counted. Across the country, there are attempts to undercount communities of color and the most vulnerable. The future of the Bronx and of New York City depends on an accurate count of its residents, which will determine how much federal support it receives for the next decade. Now more than ever, the stakes of being counted have never been higher: Nearly $1 trillion in

By SÍLE MOLONEY

At noon on Wednesday, Oct. 14, NYC Census 2020 and partners hosted an emergency virtual press conference to raise awareness about the shortened timeline for the completion of the census which now ends Oct. 15, and to mobilize the community in a final sprint to respond and encourage their neighbors, friends, and family to do so also. On Friday, Sept. 24, U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh had ordered the Census Bureau to keep conducting the census count until Oct. 31 but a subsequent Supreme Court ruling allowed the Trump administration to end the 2020 Census on Oct. 15.