Montefiore Launches Cash Assistance Program for COVID-19 Bereaved Families in Financial Distress

By Síle Moloney

Households who lost a breadwinner or caregiver to COVID-19 may be eligible for emergency cash assistance, through the Montefiore Family Resilience Fund supported by the Robin Hood Foundation. The Montefiore Family Resilience Fund will provide cash assistance to 375 bereaved families in financial distress. Eligibility criteria: Family must be referred by a licensed clinician (physician, NP, PA, social worker, or psychologist) Death from COVID-19 of a breadwinner or caretaker in the household At least one child/youth/young adult age 26 or younger resides in and is financially dependent on the household Family is experiencing financial distress (e.g. difficulty paying

By Síle Moloney

On Wednesday, Jul. 8, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza announced additional preliminary plans for school reopening in September, assuming the City continues to meet all necessary COVID-19 public health thresholds. According to a City press release, the plan was driven first and foremost by the health and safety of school communities. Schools will be provided with specific models to develop schedules for students that include in-person and remote instruction every week. Personalized schedules will be shared with families in August, and the Department of Education will continue to update families so they can plan

By Síle Moloney

Ayaris Perez, and his colleague, Edwin Torres, both filmmakers from Norwood, make up half of the Bronx Film 48 team, a Bronx community film initiative established in March 2019, the goal of which is to increase the number of filmmakers in the Bronx, increase the number of produced films within the Bronx, and connect filmmakers through networking events, workshops and an annual 48-hour film challenge. The group is launching the 2nd annual Bronx 48-hour film challenge on Jul. 10 at 5:00 p.m. This time, it’s an indoor film challenge, requiring all short film submissions to be made indoors. “It

By José A. Giralt & Síle Moloney

On Apr. 27, citing concerns over the probable spread of the coronavirus, the New York State Board of Elections announced the cancellation of the State’s presidential primary. The Sanders campaign released a statement the same day, describing the decision as an “outrage”. “What the [NYS] Board of Elections is ignoring, is that the primary process not only leads to a nominee, but also the selection of delegates, which helps to determine the platform and rules of the Democratic Party,” the statement read. Bizarrely, the Board chose not to cancel the congressional, state and other special primary elections

By Síle Moloney

A week after Woodrow Wilson was sworn in as the 28th President of the United States, Julia Bizzarri was born in the Bronx on Mar. 13, 1913. In a curious twist of fate, in the same year that now, 107-year-old Bizzarri has astonishingly shown COVID-19 who’s boss, Wilson’s name is to be removed from Princeton University buildings, one of a number of moves by age-old institutions to address the legacy of racism in the country. At 107, Bizzarri has lived through not only one civil rights movement, but what many are calling a second. Like others of her generation,

By Síle Moloney

Dear Readers, I hope you’re all well! I don’t say that lightly. Thank you for your patience, and for sticking with us during what we know, you know, has been a pretty crazy, and unprecedented time for everyone. After two and half months on hiatus due to circumstances related to the pandemic, this year’s seventh edition of the Norwood News is out now. Indeed, that is a story in itself (but for another day). We’re happy to be back, and to share plenty of interesting community news with you, so let’s get to it! After months of lockdown

By Síle Moloney

The COVID-19 surge has passed through New York City, and as local communities now enter a new normal, Montefiore Health System is encouraging people to prioritize health and resume regular check-ups. Studies on heart, cancer diagnoses and vaccines show that avoiding hospitals and doctor’s offices can have detrimental long-term effects. Montefiore Health System has launched the following services to help the local community, to make sure people are comfortable and seeking the healthcare services they need: A hotline (833-311-SAFE (833-311-7233)) and website (https://covidsafecare.montefiore.org/covid-safe) so people can ask questions and receive the most appropriate care going forward, whether it’s in-person or via a telemedicine visit. A follow-up clinic,

By Gary J. Kennedy MD

There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has changed many things in our world over the past few months. I’ve heard concerns from families and communities about how older adults will cope with physical distancing, but we see that with age comes some advantages. Positivity bias – Older adults exhibit what has been described as a “positivity bias”. They tend toward optimism more so than their younger counterparts. They have rebounded from adversity before, likely many times over their lives, and expect to do so again. Even in the face of uncertainty older adults often have a positive outlook and

By Síle Moloney

Phase III of the City’s reopening plan is set to go into effect on Monday, Jul. 6, incorporating personal care services like manicuring and tattooing. Indoor dining has been postponed because of the recent rise in coronavirus cases in cities which reopened indoor dining too soon. In June, Mayor Bill de Blasio, in conjunction with the City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that nine major bus lane projects were underway in preparation for reopening, including one major bus project along the 149th Street corridor in the Bronx. The corridor incorporates four bus routes, Bx2, Bx4, Bx17 and Bx19, and