Stories of CD18 and Covid-19
I’ve had the great opportunity to meet with members of CD18 to hear their experiences during COVID-19. With their permission, their stories are shared below.
School Reopening In The Bronx: Hear Firsthand From Our Youth
Listen Here
Angeliz, Bronx Lab High School, 10th
Stephanie, Bronx Latin High School, 10th
Both Angeliz and Stephanie are avid chess players and skateboarders, and miss after school extracurricular activities which is nonexistent at their respective schools. And disclosed that Physical Education and Recess would not be offered once blended learning begins. remote learning during the start of covid-19 was a drastic transition for them. Stephanie on the right has adjusted to the change and doesn’t necessarily have a preference for either full remote or blended learning but Angeliz on the left is ready to go back to full in-person, the isolation is overwhelmingly stressful to managed. They rely on their friendship as a supportive network to keep them emotionally stable and accountable to their self determination towards their Education.
I met three 8th grade male students (Julian, Maf, and Brian) that wasn’t too keen to get on camera or have their photo taken that had a different take on remote learning, they preferred not to go through the hassle with public transportation, temperature checks, and the chances of anyone exposed to covid-19 that results to everyone being mandated to quarantine for 14 days. “It’s just not safe”, Maf explained. Although they were honest that they were not receiving the same quality of Education if they were receiving in-person instruction. They also pointed out that they thought it was ridiculous that uniform was required during remote learning and permission to be excused to use the rest room.
I met another high school student that recently transferred from Metropolitan HS to a Charter School and has yet to receive a full program class schedule or meet his teachers, and school for him started two weeks ago. His mentor, an Educator at a private school shared that he opposes the decision of teachers already working in the school building and feeling unsafe, but does see the value in-person instruction. Therefore he’s conflicted with the whole situation.
Coach Charles Dandrea & Coach Jeff Page
Charles Dandrea is a retired high school teacher from John F. Kennedy H.S #intheBronx for 21 years and a girls basketball coach for 35 years, started in 1998 at Monsignor Scanlan H.S.
Jeff Page has been a girls basketball coach for over 15 years, and started with Charles at Kennedy H.S.
Since the pandemic hit, it was hard because basketball courts/rims were closed. Once NYC entered phase four the team was able to resume workout and practice. Both coaches shared how at first, the girls will constantly check in, talk about their experiences with remote learning at their respective schools, how they missed their friends, and wanted to work on their craft as a team, and beyond frustrated with quarantine. Since phase four of reopening, with parental consent, six feet distancing, PPE, and temperature checks, basketball practice is held every Thursday’s at 6 pm, and basketball tournament for the girls began last week, and they have their second game in Harlem, at Ruker Park, 155th Street and Frederick Douglas Blvd at 2 pm on Sunday, 9/6.
Anthony: Maintenance Worker at Supportive Housing for Families
Anthony is a maintenance worker at Services for the UnderServed–S:US for six years. He takes pride in providing a safe and healthy environment at the supportive housing for families. Since the pandemic, employees' temperatures are required to be checked daily in an effort to prevent the spread of infection, disinfection of all door knobs and elevators at least 3-4x daily, access to stationary sanitizer, works closely with sanitation workers, access to PPE and referral for testing. To protect exposing themselves, their families, and the public. Wrap around on site case management services was extended to the weekends in an effort to meet each family individual needs during COVID-19. Some morning's on my way to the local diner I see Anthony and a crew of maintenance workers on Stratford Avenue working together to keep our neighborhood safe and healthy.
Emmanuel’s Food Truck: NYC Street Vendors
Happy to see Emmanuel’s food truck out tonight. They were closed for 3 months! Armando the owner, explained that the prices went up 3x for chicken, steak, and beef (price-gouging).
I had the pleasure of meeting his oldest son, Diego 19’ a freshman college student at Harvard University, studying economics and law and returned home since covid-19. His father was so proud to share that Diego also went to The Juilliard School of Music where he played the clarinet, saxophone, and a little bit of piano for two years in Middle school. A high school graduate from prep for prep boarding school and took on wrestling as a school sport.
He has two younger brothers, Angel, 13’ and Emmanuel, 17, at two years old Diego named the food truck after his brother Emmanuel. His brother Emmanuel is diagnosed with down syndrome. Sometimes you will find Armando’s boys working with him at the food truck.
I couldn’t help but smile when Armando’s face lit up while talking about his boys and their accomplishments, and referenced that Diego, his son works really hard at school and I could see that he gets it from his dad. Armando and his wife worked at restaurants back at home in Mexico, started their own food truck about 22 years ago in ferry point park in the Bronx.
Mildred: Child Care & Early Childhood Services
Mildred has worked 25 years serving children and families living below and at the federal poverty-line in the CastleHill section of the Bronx - providing childcare and early childhood education.
Listen here to what measures they have taken during COVID-19 and their recovery plan.
Mohamed and Malik: Bodega's Are Essential
Mohamed and Malik can’t wait to return back to a new normal. Business has been slow, closing two hours early since the pandemic. The interactions at the bodega have shifted to more compassion, generosity, and meaningful conversations that has helped alleviate distress for Mohamed.
Today was Malik’s first day back since March, he remained quarantined to prevent exposing his elderly parents with the virus. Mohamed and Malik anticipate the city to reopen soon, “No Mask, No Service”.
Evelyn & Randy: the Bronx has the Highest Rate of Food Insecurity in the US
St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is a safe haven for many people in council district 18 since 1958. Evelyn, Executive Director has been operating the food pantry for 33 years, once a week on Friday mornings from 8 am to 10 am. Before Covid19, there was an intake assessment interview for reporting purposes to city, state, and federal funders, individuals had to show proof of family size and had the opportunity to select items from the food pantry. But since the pandemic the food pantry closed for a month because their 12 volunteers are the population most at risk - seniors.
Bronx Community Board 9 was able to step in and provide volunteer support in order for the food pantry to reopen and help those in need. Intake assessments has been suspended until further notice, in the interim it’s grab and go to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The amount of people that pick up groceries has increased 3X, 100-300, due to lost wages.
Evelyn, expressed gratitude of the volunteers, that keeps the 12 seniors home safe and still feed families. She also mentioned Randy, who has worked with the church for 10 years, after his retirement of 32 years at AMP.
“We were happy to have someone on board with the wealth of experience in the food industry that has contributed to our success with the food pantry program.”
The city, state, and federal gov’t should provide additional funding to #essential food pantries, given that more people are food insecure. Prayer service, bible study, and worship are all done remotely via Zoom.
Daniel: Fair Housing
After 29 years in living his Apt is heading to a family shelter.
I’m in disbelief - I was sure that Daniel, board member at Bronx Community Board 9 was going to be fine because he spoke to all the right people and to reach this level of disappointment is pure failure of our city! Housing is a Human Right!
“FYI: To all my Bronx Community Board 9 family, I Daniel Porro, Chair of the Social Service Committee.
I would like to make a briefly report on behalf the social service committee, and on behalf of my family. We truly hope and pray that we find you all doing well and in great spirits, stay safe, and please stay alive.
I have been fighting for a very long time for low income families to be able to qualify for the new affordable housing for low-income
families like mind. My annual family income of $35,850.00 does not qualify us for any housing assistance other than referring me to go to a New York City family shelter for help, due to the market value and the cost of living we can't afford to pay rent into affordable housing in New York City.
The only way in New York City to get help is to take my family to one of the New York City family shelters to get a voucher for an apartment.
By June 1st we will be somewhere in the bowels of New York City Family Shelter system. While the world is still watching the #coronavirus (COVID-19) here in New York City that is still nowhere near at 100% control.
My wife and I, and especially my baby boy shouldn't have to live like this we are one of these family statistics facing these troubling challenges for a very long time.
Please it's time to speak up about the injustice that's going on in our communities of African-Americans and Latinos low-income families, and people with disabilities and mental health, it's also time to admit on behalf of our healthcare system we need to make it better for all of us.”
Norman: #SavethePostOffice
Norman once taught at Medgar Evers College and part of the black panther Sekon Odinga Defense Commiteee. He’s worked at the US Postal Service for nearly 25 years, and lives in Parkchester.
Before the pandemic, they were in a financial deficit, people were not utilizing postal service as much. The operating cost, employee benefits, overtime, truck maintenance, etc. were relying on up sales.
Since Covid-19 they have not received any financial relief over some controversial contract with Amazon that the Trump administration is holding hostage over essential-workers livelihoods. At the Soundview branch they were known as the “Team 100” for making sure every customer is taken care of within 6 minutes of their visit. But with a shortage of staff coverage, down from 9 clerks to 4, the lines are out the door. (1 staff retired, 2 transferred, 1 medical leave, 1 hasn’t returned because school aged children and sick family member). Norman works Monday-Saturday, 12 hour shifts, all postal worker are mandated to work.
On average, 400-500 residents visit the post office daily, the foot traffic is equivalent to holiday season, x-mas to be exact. People are expecting stimulus-check (many w/ missing info on hold for pick up), SSI benefits, HRA correspondence in fear that they will not receive their mail.
Many people are mailing items to their loved ones, simply because of the uncertainty and anxiety. Shipments for Amazon, federal express, UPS has tripled. Everyone is excessively shopping online, and he’s afraid that will put a lot of folks in credit card debt.
There was a delayed with postal mail once the airlines were delayed, and international shipments are temporarily prohibited.
Norman did mention that he’s lucky that he lives in the Bronx with our subways shut down from 12a-5a he would’ve never made it to work on time.
Although he has witnessed and broke up many fights during this pandemic because of financial stress and mental health, Norman continues to serve the people, he lives for the people. That’s what brings him joy.
Tony: Affordable Housing for Who?
Today, 5/16 is Tony’s first Saturday selling personal items in perfectly good condition in an effort to secure an affordable apt. She doesn’t have any housing subsidy vouchers to help with rental assistance. The apt’s in the Bronx were known to have the largest apt’s but now with gentrification the apt’s are being built with limited space. The last apt she visited wanted $2,000 a month for a 2-bedroom and 1 closet. When she was called for an interview via Housing Connect, her application was denied because she was now separated from her husband and going through a divorce, and they required her ex-husband to be present at the interview because he was initially on the application. Her advocacy for a modification was not considered.
Listening to Tony’s story reminded me of my experience moving into my #Soundview apt. I had to pay $1500, (5x)for brokers fee, first & last months rent, two months security, + a co-signer. It was so dreadful trying to find a decent apt, and coming up with all the funds to move.
I am happy of some recent changes, thanks to the leadership at New York City Council passing legislation that removes brokers fees and background credit checks, a financial barrier for many working families. Although there is still some changes needed with the housing lottery and its many loopholes. An issue that I plan to take on once elected.
Domingo: Check on Your Neighbors
Domingo lives on the 2nd floor in my apt building (walk-up), I’ve been checking on him more often since the pandemic. He’s 91 years old, and he still takes his walks around the neighborhood and has so much personality. It felt good to drop off a bag of groceries to him this morning, and he always greets me with a sense of humor.
Clifford: Deliver Meals to Seniors
I had the pleasure of delivering groceries for council district 18 resident that’s unable to leave his home because of his disability. Clifford was happy to learn about how he can use his voice to advocate for people like himself with a disability to have adequate accessibility. We welcomed him to join our local community board social services committee where the committee chair who is a fierce community advocate and has a disability himself. We were just working with the NYC Mayor’s Office on creating a Disability and Mental Wellness Taskforce for the Bronx right before Covid-19. For now, until we phase into a new normal, Clifford will email his ideas and recommendations to improve Access-A-Ride.
David Shuffler: Executive Director at Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice
A conversation with David Shuffler, Executive Director at Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice about Covid-19 and the FY21 budget proposal and it’s implications on nonprofits, employees, direct services to youth, families, and immigrant communities.
Listen here on what he had to say
As city council representative for CD18 21in21, I will ensure that discretionary funding is equitable driven to ensure that community based organizations on the frontlines are sustainable and provided with the necessary tools and support to meet measurable outcomes that has a lasting impact for our communities to thrive.
Nina: #HomelessCantStayHome
Instead of taking a picture of myself and demanding that Mayor Bill de Blasio open 30K hotel rooms to protect homeless NYers & end sweeps/#NYPD targeting the homeless. All I had to do was go to my corner store. (Bodega)
This is Nina, she sometimes stands outside my neighborhood bodega asking for a hot meal. I tried to put her in a cab to the #womens shelter on Franklin Ave, but she preferred to go to Elder Ave to sleep in an ally.
She struggles with substance abuse and denied access to every drug treatment because of no vacancy. Every week she has to travel to her Meth clinic every Thursday to get a refill, which the lines are long.
She became homeless because she let the wrong man into her mom's home and as a result she relapsed. She asked that I call her mom on speaker phone to apologize, and to let her know that it’s been really hard for her on the streets, because she feels invincible and dehumanized.
It was heart wrenching to witness the conversation because it reminded me of my mom when she was homeless and struggling w/ drug addiction.
All she wanted was a hot beef sandwich w/ monster cheese on a hero. I got her the sandwich, + $15, mask, hand sanitizer, water, and some wipes.
Sadly the reality is people don’t feel safe in our city shelters. Another pipeline into our criminal justice system, we need to stop warehousing people and transfer our shelters into permanent affordable housing with wrap around services on site.
Landlords are cashing in with the NYC Department of Homeless Services when it costs a lot less to have NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) offer perm. homes at the area neighborhood income and partner with nonprofits contracted by the city to provide holistic services on site.
Peluche: Freelance Maintenance Worker
I ran into Peluche, this afternoon. He’s lived on my block for the past 8 years working as a freelance maintenance worker. Everyone knows him in the community, even small children. Since #covid19 hit our community, he’s been working overtime providing #mutualaid for about 70 apartments and some families pay him with what they can afford, a few dollars or maybe a home cooked meal. I offered to go on one of his routes to help, but realized he didn’t have a phone to exchange numbers. Neighbors can always find him waiting at the fire hydrant by noon every day, on-call if anyone needs help. So we stopped by the boost mobile store and I purchased him a $50 phone, to make his work a lot easier and accessible to work orders from our neighbors. It’s going to take “the Bronx to SAVE the #Bronx” Every little help counts. #Soundview #Morrison #CD18 #BronxMutualAid #CovidRelief #EssentialWorkers
Maria: Cafeteria Worker
Maria not only lives in the community but she works in the community as well, at James M Kieran JHS as a cafeteria worker. Since New York’s PAUSE she has been working full-time 7a-3p Monday through Friday and see’s about 400 families a day. Maria explained that it’s frustrating that families have to make two trips a day, and that they should be allowed to pick up all 3 meals at one time. But she’s happy to be at work to help families in need.
“It melts my heart to see the smile on people’s faces when they receive a meal to bring home.”
Samantha: Health Care Worker
This evening I met 19 year old Samantha, an #essential worker at The PAC Program of the #Bronx an addiction outpatient treatment provider down the block from where I live. I was surprised to see it still open at 8 o’clock. Samantha said “I can’t imagine us being closed, that would be equivalent to a hospital being closed.”
They have shifted their services via telephone. Folks struggling with substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, involved in parenting classes, anger management, group and individual counseling, and behavior management. They work with people as young as 14 years of age to grown adults.
Mostly all are mandated for services via family or criminal court, probation, ACS, or school counselors. The level of engagement via telephone hasn’t changed compared to in-person services. People mostly only come in to give urine testing or make a payment. But there’s this one woman that comes in everyday just to get out of the house, because she feels lonely at home with her cat, and working on getting her children back in her custody. Samantha shared that they need their services more than ever, suffering w/ anxiety, untreated trauma, abuse, released from incarceration.
“We get the most broken people filled with pain, hopelessness, and anger. I don’t take it personally, because during my time working here, I see and hear a lot of their stories.
“I want to be an EMT worker. I recently applied, and am waiting for a call back. All I want to do is help people that have been thrown away. I’m a little worried what the summer months would look like if we’re still on lockdown. I think there should be some sort of health and wellness classes at the parks, so that people can keep their sanity, and stay active to refrain from relapsing or violence.”
Jonathan, Youth Ministry Pastor, Youth Mentor, and Staff Associate
Jonathan is a Staff Associate at Young Life, an organization partnered with Infinity Bible Church where Jonathan is a Youth Ministry Pastor, located at 1326 Morrison Avenue, two blocks away from where I live. I met Jonathan at a general board meeting at Bronx Community Board 9 last December and was impressed by the level of commitment he had to empower our youth. During this time of uncertainty, I’ve made some calls to check-in with folks that provide essential services to our most vulnerable populations.
Since Covid-19 hit our communities, Jonathan had to shift all services remotely via telephone, virtual conferences, and emails. With the exception of providing food relief and personal hygiene products 2x a month, which is first come, first served. On Saturday’s from 8 am - 1 pm, and the lines start to form as early as 6:30 am. Jonathan works with youth and families living below or at the federal poverty line, living paycheck to paycheck living in city shelters or NYCHA houses with no real opportunity for upward mobility.
Many households lost their entry level low wage jobs at restaurants, food delivery, cashier, dish washer; and for young people, retail, and movie theatre jobs. With SYEP proposed to be eliminated this summer, Jonathan explains that it will impact a lot of families that rely on the summer program as a source of income, in addition putting young people at greater risk of violence.
He’s already thinking of ways to keep young people busy during the summer months by reaching out to small businesses that may need help while practicing social distancing and or work remotely.
Remote learning for many of his young people from middle school to college students have struggled with Internet access and equipment. Jonathan has become their subject teacher and tutor, hosting group study hour and instruction.
Jonathan works with about 100 young people from CD18, many have gang affiliation, struggle with emotional behavior, substance abuse and school absenteeism.
Also helping family members applying for unemployment, medicaid insurance, and SNAP benefits.
Within his Youth Ministry role, he’s found innovative ways to provide spiritual services through whats app, Monday morning check-ins, Tuesday, Bible Talk, Thursday Trivia on Instagram and Friday’s Meet up via Zoom. Sometimes he raffles Uber Eats or Grub Hub food delivery for a week, as an incentive and additional support.
Mental wellness is his biggest concern with youth and families already in crisis. Especially those suffering with anxiety and domestic violence, their outside world was their only escape. Families of 7 in two bedroom apartments that can’t stay home.
Meanwhile, Jonathan and his family have been impacted by the pandemic. His wife was laid off a few days before New York’s Pause, and her severance package is not nearly enough. Plus his grandmother suffers with dementia and lives on a fixed income, while his grandfather is forced to look for odd jobs to make ends meet. Putting themselves both at risk of the Coronavirus. To make matters even more difficult, Jonathan has to fundraise, to keep his program for youth and families afloat. And he leaves it in God’s hands to guide him through these tough times and in good health for some of his volunteers carrying the virus.
He shares his own personal experiences with his youth, to show them that they are not alone and together they will get through this. Jonathan is hopeful that this pandemic teaches us about humanity and basic human rights as we phase into a new normal.
I’m happy that I was able to connect Jonathan and his organization to receive additional covid-19 food relief as a public member at Bronx Community 9 with Rap4Bronx.
Share your story.
Do you live or work in Bronx River, Castle Hill, Clason Point, Parkchester, Soundview, or Union Port?
Are you an essential worker, small business, or community based organization still working during the pandemic in council district 18 and would like to share your story?
Submit a photo, video, content, or sign up for an interview, email darlenejackson2021@gmail.com