MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

DC 37 PRIDE DIVERSITY INTEREST GROUP

You’re invited to celebrate Pride Month with DC 37’s Pride Diversity Interest Group (PDIG) Committee! This year we celebrate the theme “Embolden our Diversity.” Please save the following dates:

Annual Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Please join us for our annual tradition by welcoming in Pride with members, colleagues, and allies of DC 37. We will be joined by guest speaker Amanda Babine, Executive Director of Equality New York, a grassroots LGBTQI+ advocacy organization fighting to advance the lives of Queer people and their families. 
Monday, June 3, 2024 at 6 p.m. | Join this virtual event HERE.

Queens Pride Parade and Multicultural Festival

Please join us for our annual tradition by welcoming in Pride with members, colleagues, and allies of DC 37. We will be joined by guest speaker Amanda Babine, Executive Director of Equality New York, a grassroots LGBTQI+ advocacy organization fighting to advance the lives of Queer people and their families.

Monday, June 3, 2024 at 6 p.m. | Join this virtual event HERE.

PDIG will be marching again in this year’s Queens Pride Parade and we invite you to join us for a fun-filled spectacular day. The exact line-up location and time is being finalized by the Parade Organizers and will be shared once received.

If you are interested in marching with us or joining DC 37’s PDIG Committee, please email Jeff Oshins at joshins@dc37.net.

Sunday, June 2, 2024 from Noon-6 p.m. on 37 Avenue, Jackson Heights

DC 37 LATINO HERITAGE COMMITTEE

National Puerto Rican Day Parade

The DC 37 Latino Heritage Committee invites you to march with your union in the 67th National Puerto Rican Day Parade. DC 37 members and retirees will march up Fifth Avenue in this annual celebration of the culture and contributions of Puerto Ricans.

Capacity for participation is limited. Wristbands are required to enter the staging area in order to march in the parade. Please RSVP no later than Friday, June 7 to DC37latinoheritage@gmail.com. You may also attend the parade as a spectator and cheer on your union siblings!

Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 11 a.m. on Fifth Avenue and 43 Street

DC 37 POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

2024 Voter Registration Deadlines

Are you and your family all set to participate in the 2024 elections? Elections for President, Congress, New York State Senate, and New York State Assembly are happening this year! You may register to vote or update your voter registration HERE. You can review which candidates DC 37 supports in your neighborhood HERE.

Are you and your family all set to participate in the 2024 elections? Elections for President, Congress, New York State Senate, and New York State Assembly are happening this year! You may register to vote or update your voter registration HERE.

You can review which candidates DC 37 supports in your neighborhood HERE.

Take Action to Support Your Local Library!

Stand with us to fight for resources for libraries! Because of recent budget cuts, libraries across New York City are in jeopardy of losing $58.3 million in funding. Libraries provide valuable services to our communities. Please take a few minutes to sign a petition demanding fair funding for NYC libraries. You can find a link to the petition for your borough’s library system HERE.

Support Your Union Political Action Fund!

Have you signed up for PEOPLE yet? DC 37 members are making a difference in important political races. PEOPLE contributions are used to do Get Out the Vote campaigns, lobbying around member issues, directly supporting pro-workers candidates, and other important activities that we are restricted from using dues money to conduct.

Join at the MVP level of $8/month and get a free AFSCME PEOPLE hoodie! Become a PEOPLE contributor now by clicking HERE.

Attend Political Action Committee Meetings

Join us for our monthly Political Action Committee Meetings to find out more about what’s happening in City Hall and Albany. Meetings take place on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

The next meeting is on Thursday, June 13. To register, click HERE.

DC 37 WEEKEND AT YANKEE STADIUM

DC 37 members are eligible for discounted tickets to the Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees games this summer. Each ticket includes an exclusive NY Yankees cap featuring the new DC 37 logo and a $15 food and beverage voucher. See dates and times below:
July 19, 2024 at 7:05 p.m. 
July 20, 2024 at 1:05 p.m.

To purchase discounted tickets, please click HERE.

We encourage members to wear DC 37 green for this special event! We hope to see you there!

* Please note that all sales are final and there are no refunds or cancellations. Upon completing your purchase, a receipt will be emailed to the email address you’ve provided. Your ticket(s) for admission will be emailed to you the day before the game.

DC 37 MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES LEGAL SERVICES

Rescheduled: Bank Fraud, Scams, and ID Theft Webinar

DC 37 MELS presents Bank Fraud, Scams, and ID Theft. In this webinar you will learn how to spot and respond to: IRS scams, Social Security scams, internet scams, and investment scams. Experts will share how to respond to identity theft discovered through your banking and credit card statements or fraudulent unemployment claims. You will also learn about the three most popular credit report security devices, how they differ, and how to use them to your advantage. We hope you’ll join us for this informative webinar.

NEW DATE: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 6 p.m. | Register HERE.

DC 37 MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES HOUSING PROGRAM

First-Time Homebuyer Workshop

Are you thinking of buying your first home but don’t know where to begin? The DC 37 Municipal Employees Housing Program is pleased to offer a virtual First-Time Homebuyer Workshop twice this month. Allow us to assist you on your journey to homeownership as we discuss the mortgage process, pre-approvals, debt-to-income ratios, PMI, FHA loans, conventional loans, and much more! Bring your questions and we’ll provide the answers. We hope to see you there!

Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.

 Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.

MCU Mortgage Webinar

In the market for a new place to call home? The DC 37 Municipal Employees Housing Program is proud to present the Municipal Credit Union (MCU) to answer your questions about mortgages and discuss which programs may be the right fit for you. Let MCU lending specialists guide you through flexible loan terms, competitive interest rates, and everything you need to get past your home-buying hurdles. You won’t want to miss this important webinar!

Saturday, June 13, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. | Register HERE.

Affordable Housing Webinar

Finding affordable housing in NYC can be challenging. Let the DC 37 Municipal Employees Housing Program help! We are proud to offer you an Affordable Housing Webinar in partnership with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). We will be joined by guest speakers Ana Ramirez and Shaheem Taylor, HPD’s Marketing Outreach Coordinators, as we discuss how to navigate the NYC Housing Connect portal, register an account, and submit an application to open housing lotteries. We hope to see you there!

Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.

NON PROFIT AND PRIVATE SECTOR

DC 37 Non-Profit and Private Sector Members represented by Locals 95, 205, 215, 253, and 389 are eligible for the following exciting education-related opportunities in 2024.

Workshops

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)
  • Wednesday, June 5 from 6-8 p.m.
• Continuing Teacher Leader Education (CTLE)
  • A Peaceful Mind In A Stressful World
  • Thursday, June 6 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• Dignity for All Students (DASA)
  • Saturday, June 8 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Establishing Strong Family Connections
  • Monday, June 10 from 6-8 p.m.
• School Violence Prevention and Intervention
  • Monday, June 17 from 6-8 p.m.
• Child Abuse and Maltreatment
  • Tuesday, June 18 from 6-8 p.m.

You can register for these workshops by clicking HERE.

Classes and Prep Courses

• Child Development Associate (CDA)
  • Orientation: Monday, June 3 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 9 to Dec 12, 5:45-8:45 p.m. 
  • You must register for this course.
  • The cost of this course is $1200. Scholarships are available.
• CASAC Exam Prep
  • Tuesdays, June 11 to June 25, 6-8 p.m.

You can register for these classes and more by clicking HERE.

Scholarship Opportunities

• Union Plus Scholarship 
  Awarded annually to AFSCME members and their families. The amount of the award ranges from $500-$4,000.
• Gerald W McEntee Scholarship 
  A one-time $5,000 scholarship is awarded annually to an AFSCME member for use towards higher education.
• AFSCME Family Scholarship 
  A renewable $2,000 scholarship (over the course of 4 years) awarded annually to graduating high school seniors of union members.

For more information about these programs, call (212) 341-4991 or email mhunte@dc37.net.

DC 37 EDUCATION FUND

Applications for the Fall 2024 Semester Are Open!

The Education Fund is now accepting applications for courses beginning this September!  For a list of current offerings, please visit our Classes and Benefits page by clicking HERE!

The DC 37 Green Jobs Training Program is Expanding!

The DC 37 Education Fund is happy to announce the Green Jobs Training Expansion Program, a grant-funded training program for eligible DC 37 members to receive free, hands-on instruction in areas of need within the green economy and energy sector.

Training courses include Energy Auditing, Multifamily and Commercial Building Analyst, Carbon Accounting, LEED Green Associate, Energy Benchmarking and Construction Management. These courses and more will prepare members for certifications and licenses offered and recognized by the Building Performance Institute, Urban Green Council and Association of Energy Engineers.

If you are interested in more information on these courses and what this training can provide for you, please click HERE.

Changes to Tuition Reimbursement Benefit

Beginning with classes, courses and workshops taken on or after Jan. 1, 2024, eligible DC 37 members can now be reimbursed up to $1,500 by the DC 37 Education Fund as long as the requirements for reimbursement are met. Additionally, tuition reimbursement applications can now be submitted completely online.

For more information on the changes to the reimbursement benefit, please click HERE.

Free College Programs For Local 372 Members In Specific Job Titles

Local 372 Paraprofessionals can earn 18 credits annually towards a degree in Human Services through a partnership with Monroe College.

To begin the process of enrolling for the Spring 2024 term, complete an online application: www.dc37edfund.org/monroectpcandidateform. 
For questions, email: ppunch@dc37.net

Local 372 Members Working in School Food can earn an associate’s degree in Nutrition and Culinary Management through a partnership with LaGuardia Community College.

To begin enrolling for the Spring 2024 term, complete an online application at www.dc37edfund.org/laguardiacandidateform. 
For questions, email: lpicano@dc37.net.

Retirees Education Courses For Fall 2024

The Ed Fund is currently accepting applications for classes for the Fall 2024 cycle. Apply online by clicking HERE.

For questions, please contact Manuel Gomez-Rosa at mgomezrosa@dc37.net or call (212) 815-1700.

DC 37 CLIMATE JUSTICE COMMITTEE

Are you passionate about climate change? Do you want to meet like-minded union siblings fighting for climate justice? DC 37 members and retirees are invited to join the next Climate Justice Committee Meeting. Make your voice heard and share ideas on how to support DC37 and AFSCME in making the struggle against climate change and its impacts, and the creation of green union jobs, a part of the everyday understanding and involvement of DC37 and AFSCME members.

Interested members and retirees should contact Jon Forster, Co-Chair of the Climate Justice Committee at 4unionnow@gmail.com.

Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 6 p.m.

MSK DIRECT

Sun Safety & Skin Health

Healthy skin starts by being sun smart to protect yourself and reduce sun exposure. Join MSK’s board-certified dermatologist Anthony Rossi, MD to learn how to stay sun smart and reduce your risk for skin cancer. Topics include: how to balance enjoying life outdoors while safeguarding your skin from the sun, increasing your skin self-awareness, and understanding how to use sunscreen to reduce skin damage and aging.

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 1 p.m. | Register HERE.

HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY (HSS)

Expert Care for Neck Pain at HSS

While neck pain can often be treated at home, if your symptoms don’t improve, it’s time to seek help. That’s where HSS experts can help.

Neck pain can have causes not related to underlying diseases. Examples are prolonged straining (looking up or down), sleeping in an uncomfortable position, stress, or wearing heavy necklaces.

If you or a family member are experiencing neck pain, the HSS Perform team will connect you with in-network care at one of our convenient locations in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.

Connect with HSS TODAY:
Call: 212.606.1105
Email: HSS4DC37@hss.edu
Visit: HSS.edu/DC37

IMPORTANT REMINDER

 If you are a DC 37 member, you should be receiving DC 37 Action Alerts & News at your non-work email address, definitely NOT your work email address, as this can be a violation of workplace rules. If you signed up using a work email address, please change it to a non-work email.