Resource Guide
Learn how to become a DNC Presidential Delegate HERE.
Please click for details regarding elected officials, NYC voting information and a Democratic Party Overview .
The Resource Guide is still in formation and will be updated. For any suggestions and additions please contact: [email protected]. Thank you to Hells’ Kitchen Dems for some content.
Resident Toolkit Manhattan Democratic Clubs Manhattan Community Boards Neighborhood Associations Grassroots Policital Organizations Education Senior Centers Community Board 3 Senior Centers Housing Assistance NYC District Attorney Nyc Comptroller Community Action Center Social Justice Organizations Landmarks And Preservation Social Services Lgbtq+ Food Insecurity Political News Coverage And Websites Pet Hotline Recycling/Environment
Resident Toolkit
Designed to make living in New York City easier and to provide New Yorkers with ways to live an engaged civic life. From voting and polling locations, to schools and public services, use this list of resources as your one-stop-shop for staying connected to the city.
https://www.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/resident-toolkit.page
311 – for NYC information and to report a problem
Notify NYC – sign up for city emergency notifications
https://a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/notifynyc
Find your Police Precinct
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/find-your-precinct.page
Fire Department Information
https://www.nyc.gov/site/fdny/services/emergency/emergency.page
Garbage and recycling
https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/collectionSchedule
Rats!
https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/rats.page
Report rat or mouse complaint here.
MTA -Subways, Buses, Trains
https://www.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/resident-toolkit.page
The City of NY
Office of the Mayor
https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/
NY City Council
NY State
NY State Senate
NY State Assembly
Directory of NYC Agencies
https://www.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/agencies.page
NYC mobile apps
https://www.nyc.gov/connect/mobile-applications.page
Stay connected
A list of Social Media for the Mayor, Consumer Complaints, Finance, Human Rights and a gazillion other agencies and offices.
https://www.nyc.gov/connect/social-media.page
Street Events
https://www.nyc.gov/events/index.html
Maps
Manhattan Democratic Clubs
For a listing of additional clubs and further information regarding Democratic Clubs in Manhattan click here: https://manhattandemocrats.org/about/manhattan-democratic-clubs/
Downtown Independent Democrats
Chelsea Reform Democratic Club (CRDC)
Village Reform Democratic Club (VRDC)
Hell’s Kitchen Democrats (HK Dems)
Manhattan Community Boards
Community Boards have important advisory roles in land use and zoning, landmarks, quality of life and liquor licensing matters, parks, public safety, city budget, affordable housing, education, transportation, city services, business interests and many other issues relating to our local communities’ welfare. Check calendars for public hearings and meetings.
Find your Community Board here.
Community Board 2 is in VID’s district. Click here for more information.
For a comprehensive guide of CB2 services in our district (Health & Medical, Social Services, Housing, etc) click here.
Grassroots Policital Organizations
Jewish Democratic Council of America
New York Birth Control Project
New York Civil Liberties Union
Education
Locate Schools
https://schoolsearch.schools.nyc
NYC Public School Registration
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment
Universal Pre-Kindergarten
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/pre-k
Register for Public Kindergarten
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/kindergarten
Apply to Public Middle School
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/middle-school
Middle school admission can include by choice and by neighborhood. In all cases, an admission process is involved.
Apply to Public High School
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/high-school
Senior Centers
For a comprehensive guide regarding Community Board 2 Senior Services (Health & Medical, Social Services, Housing, etc. , click here.
Greenwich House - Adult Care Centers with 4 locations. Click for information regarding a calendar of events at all locations including online classes, lunch menus and more.
Judith C. White Senior Center
27 Barrow Street
New York, NY 10014
212.242.4140
Center on the Square
20 Washington Square North, New York, NY 10011
Center Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lunch Hours: 12 – 2 p.m.
Tel: 212-777-3555 Ext 106
Westbeth Artists Housing
155 Bank Street, New York, NY 10014
Center Hours:
Sunday – Closed
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Thursday – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday – 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lunch Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 1-2 p.m., Saturday – 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tel: 212-255-5191
Independence Plaza
310 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013
Center Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lunch Hours: 12 – 1 p.m.
Tel: 212-267-0499
Our Lady of Pompeii
25 Carmine Street, New York, NY 10014
Center Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lunch Hours: 12 – 2 p.m.
Tel: 212-989-3620
Explore the new Lifelong Skills & Opportunity Center, which is open to adults 60+ and other communities served by Greenwich House.
Lifelong Skills & Opportunity Center
27 Barrow Street, New York, NY 10014
Center Hours:
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tel: 917-261-4598
Caring Community First Presbyterian
12 W. 12th Street
New York, NY 10011
212 924-2810
New York Chinatown Senior Center
70 Mulberry Street
New York, NY 10013
212 233-8930
https://www.cpc-nyc.org/programs/family-support/chinatown-senior-center
Mott Street Senior Center Citizens Center
180 Mott Street
New York, NY 11012
212.966.5460
https://www.nyfsc.org/support-services/older-adult-centers/
Bowery Residents Committee
Homeless Senior Services Center
30 Delancey Street
New York, NY 10002-2905
212.533.2020
McBurney YMCA Senior Center
124 W. 14th St
New York, NY 10011
212.741-8339
Community Board 3 Senior Centers
(Doesn’t Include Norcs)
Brc Neighborhood Senior Center
Ny Chinatown Neighborhood Senior Center
Weinberg Center For Balanced Living
Center On The Square Neighborhood Sr Ctr
Grand Coalition Of Seniors Neighbr Sc
Independence Plaza Neighborhood Sr Ctr
Good Companions Neighborhood Senior Cent
Laguardia Neighborhood Senior Center
John Paul Ii Friendship Neighborhood Sc
Sirovich Center For Balanced Living
Ujc Adult Luncheon Club Neighborhood Sc
Ujc Lillian Wald Houses Senior Center
University Settlement Neighborhood Sr Ct
Housing Assistance
DIAL 311 for the Tenants Rights Hotline - If you are facing eviction and unable to afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal assistance according to New York City’s Right to Counsel Law. Your initial step is to call 311, say that you are a New York City tenant and that you are facing eviction and need Right to Counsel assistance.
VID’s tenant counseling sessions (Tenant’s Clinic) have folded into the Housing Clinic run by City Councilmember Erik Bottcher. Call Councilmember Bottcher’s office at 212-564-7757 to set up an appointment.
To sign up and for more information about Councilmember Bottcher's weekly RENT FREEZE clinics, click HERE.
His office is continuing to help enroll residents in the NYC Department of Finance's rent freeze and homeowner tax exemption programs, including the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE).
Staff from the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit will be in his district office (224 W 30th Street, #1206) the second Thursday of every month from 10:30am to 5:00pm to help our constituents get the resources for which they’re eligible.
Our next clinic is scheduled for December 14, 2023.
To be eligible for SCRIE, you must meet all of these requirements at the time of the rent/maintenance increase:
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Be the head of the household;
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Have a combined household income for all members of the household that is $50,000 or less;
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Spend more than one-third of your monthly household income on rent or maintenance; and
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Be at least 62 years old.
To be eligible for DRIE, you must meet all of these requirements at the time of the rent/maintenance increase:
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Be at least 18 years old;
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Named on the lease;
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Have a combined household income for all members of the household that is $50,000 or less;
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Spend more than one-third of your monthly household income on rent or maintenance; and
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Receive income from a following benefit:
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
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Federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability pension or compensation
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Disability-related Medicaid if you have received either SSI or SSDI in the past
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Sign up for an appointment in Councilmember Bottcher's office to discuss these services.
New York Housing Authority (NYCHA)
NY Housing Connect (Affordable Housing Connection)
DA Housing and Tenant Protection Services/Helpline Information
Mobilization for Justice Advocacy & Legal Services
Housing Court Answers
Call: 212.962.4795. A wide range of information regarding housing issues, mostly for tenants, some for landlords, including recent informational videos and notices of forums and workshops
Metropolitan Council on Housing
339 Lafayette Street, #301
New York, NY 10012
212.979.0611
Hotline (Monday-Wednesday-Friday 1:30-5 p.m.)
212.979.6238
New York City Housing Authority
Termination Hearings Office
250 Broadway, 2nd floor
New York, NY 10007
Thursdays 1 pm to 5pm
Manhattan
111 Centre Street
New York, NY, 10013 Second Floor
Clerk's Office- Room 225
Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm, Friday 9 am to 1 pm (Maybe closed between 1pm and 2pm)
NYC District Attorney
NYC District Attorney's Office Community Partnerships Unit
Click here for information.
Legal Services
(Not affiliated with the office of the NYC District Attorney)
NYLAG (New York Legal Assistance Group)
450 West 33rd Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10001
212.613.5000 ext. 2
A non-profit organization that provides free legal services in civil law matters to low income New Yorkers.
Volunteers of Legal Service
281 Central Park South
New York, NY 10010
212.966.4400 www.volsprobono.org
Legal Services-NYC (Lower Manhattan)
90 John Street, Suite 301
New York, New York 10038-3243
Tel: 646.442.3100
Cardozo Bet Tzedek Legal Services
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
55 Fifth Avenue, Room 1103
New York, NY 10003
212.790.0240
LawHelpNY.org
This is an online tool that provides comprehensive information regarding free legal services to low-income residents and vulnerable populations of New York City.
Nyc Comptroller Community Action Center
The Community Action Center is the constituent services arm of the City Comptroller’s Office, and assists New Yorkers with complaints or inquiries about government services.
Website https://comptroller.nyc.gov/about/contact-our-office/
Email [email protected]
Phone (212) 669-3916
Address 1 Central Street, Room 517 New York, NY 10007
Landmarks And Preservation
Social Services
Mental Health and Addiction
- NYC 988 to Talk, text, chat. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Connect with someone who will listen and help 24/7. In danger or need immediate medical attention? Dial 911.
- NYS Mental Health Hotline: 1-844-863-9314
- NYC Well: Free, confidential mental health counseling 24/7. You can call 1-888-NYC-WELL, text "WELL" to 65173 or visit their website to chat with a professional. Services include counseling, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, peer support, referrals to care, assistance in connecting to the referral, and follow-up services. Free and confidential.
- Crisis Text Line: This service provides free trained crisis counselors who can listen and respond through text messages. They operate 24/7. Text "MHA" to 741741 to get in touch. Thrive NYC: 1-888-NYC-Well; online
- WELL Seniors: 1-212-AGING-NYC
- Veterans: 1-800-273-8255
- Alcoholics Anonymous: Virtual AA Meetings
- Narcotics Anonymous: Virtual NA Meetings
- The Samaritans of New York: To receive a Mental Health Wellness Support call, dial (212) 673-3661 and leave a message with how to reach you so Samaritans can call you back the following day at your convenience.
- Additional information regarding mental health programs, facilities and counseling services available in this guide.
Domestic Violence
- NYC Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE
- NYS Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-942-6906
- Her Justice Legal Help Line: Call 1-718-562-8181 on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to speak with a legal representative
NYC Department Of Health And Mental Hygiene
Contact the New York State Department of Health with questions and complaints, or to learn about all the services offered by the City, you can also visit 311 Online or download the 311 Mobile App.
- Submit a Rodent complaint
- Submit a Restaurant, Food Poisoning or Mobile Food Vendor complaint
- Submit an Indoor Air Quality complaint
- Submit a Smoking complaint
- Submit a Nursing Homes complaint
- Submit a Health Facilities complaint
Additional Resources
Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities
100 Gold Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10038
212.788.2830
Access-a-Ride
877.337.2017
Provides transportation to people with disabilities who are unable to use bus or subway service for their trips.
NYC Department of Aging Senior Services
2 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10007
The Center for Hearing and Communication
50 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10004
917-305-7700
The center provides hearing testing, hearing aid fitting, speech therapy and mental health counseling for those who are hard of hearing or deaf. All of the therapists are sign language fluent. Mental health services include psychiatric evaluation, individual, couple, family and group therapy, medication consultation and maintenance, psychological and educational evaluations of adults and adolescents, crisis intervention, parenting counseling and support, case management services, information and referral.
Lighthouse InternationalNational Association of the Visually Handicapped
22 W. 21st St.
New York, NY 10010
212.889.3141 [email protected] www.navh.org
Planned Parenthood of Greater New York
New York Blood Center: 800-933-2566
Lgbtq+
HIV/AIDS (GMHC)
Gay Men's Health Crisis is the world’s first HIV/AIDS service organization. Comprehensive psychosocial and prevention services available. Hotline [email protected] (800) 243-7692
The GMHC Hotline provides a safe space to discuss a wide range of concerns. Trained volunteers provide emotional support with compassion and without judgment. We provide information about topics such as HIV/AIDS, STDs, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), sexual health, and resources such as testing, healthcare, benefits, and counseling. We can also tell you more about GMHC’s services. You may also reach the Hotline via email. Someone will respond within one business day.
HRA-HIV/AIDS Service Administration (HASA)
The objective of the department is to expedite and coordinate essential social services and medical care for people living with HIV/AIDS to maintain and improve their quality of life. To obtain more information on the service, please call ServiceLine at 212.971.0626.
The Center
208 W. 13th Street
NYC 10011
212-620-7310
Since 1983 The Center has been supporting, fostering and celebrating the LGBT community of New York City. Find more information on us and our work in About The Center.
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
Chelsea (and various other locations)
356 W. 18th St.
New York, NY 10011
212-271-7200
Provides sensitive, quality health care and related services targeted to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities — in all their diversity — regardless of ability to pay. To further this mission, Callen-Lorde promotes health education and wellness, and advocates for LGBTQ health issues.
SAGE
Services and Advocacy Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Elders (SAGE)
305 7th Avenue, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10001
SAGE is the largest & oldest organization that focuses on improving the quality of life and addressing the needs of the LGBT senior population. It offers a multitude of programs and services such as counseling, case management, group discussion, education programs, respite services, recreation programs and social activities.
GRIOT Circle: A Safe Space for LGBT Elders of Color
25 Flatbush Avenue, 5th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718.246.2775
This organization provides programs and services to LGBT people of color that address the issues of isolation, fear of aging and improve quality of life.
Food Insecurity
Food Bank of NY
39 Broadway, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10006
Phone: 212.566.7855
Click here for a map of soup kitchens and food pantry centers
Citymeals-on-Wheels
355 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
212-687-1296
City Harvest150
52nd St
Brooklyn, NY 11232
646-412-0600
City Harvest is the world's first food rescue organization, dedicated to feeding our NYC neighbors in need."
God’s Love we Deliver
116 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10013
212.294.8100
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP or the Food Stamps program, is a federal assistance program that provides access to nutritious food to low income or no income individuals or families.1.877.472.8411
Emergency Food Hotline
The automated hotline provides information on the hours of operation and the locations of soup kitchens and food pantries that are nearest to the individual. Please call 311 or 1-866-888-8777.
Political News Coverage And Websites
Manhattan Borough President’s Weekly Update
Politics NYHelpful NYS legislation tool: Reinvent Albany
Robert B. Hubbell Daily Newsletter -A reflection of today’s news through the lens of hope.
Ross Barkan Substack Ross Barkan is a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine.
Simon Rosenberg Hopium Chronicles
Podcasts- from wherever you get your Podcasts
1619 New York Times Audio Series
Brian Lehrer Show
Democray-ish Podcast
Into America
Max Politics Podcast
PBS News Hour
Pod Save America
Strict Scrutiny
The Brown Girls Guide to Politics
The Daily
The Meidas Touch
The Run-Up
What Next Slate
You Decide - Errol Lewis Spectrum News
Have a suggestion of something to add to this list? Please contact us at [email protected].
Pet Hotline
Pet Hotline Information and Update: The City has partnered with the ASPCA and the Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), to establish a Pet Hotline. You can call the Pet Hotline from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, 7 days a week at 1-877-204-8821.
Recycling/Environment
For a complete listing of a Recycling and Environmental Resources, click here.
For a schedule of garbage and recycling pick up, click here.
For a listing of additional environmental groups, click here.
350NYC
A community of activists mobilizing for solutions to the climate crisis. Join us in building a sustainable and just future for all
New Yorkers.
Climate Justice Alliance(CJA)
Formed in 2013 to create a new center of gravity in the climate movement by uniting frontline communities and organizations into a
formidable force.
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
Since 1993, the Environmental Working Group has shined a spotlight on outdated legislation, harmful agricultural practices and industry
loopholes that pose a risk to our health and the health of our environment.
Food & Water Watch fights for safe food, clean water, and a livable climate for all of us.
New York League of Conservation Voters
Statewide environmental organization in New York that fights for clean water, clean air, renewable energy and open space through
political action.
For additional information regarding trash and recycling pick up click here
For composting information click here.
For a list of locations to drop off composting, click here.
NYC Park Information here.
Plant a tree info. here.