MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES LEGAL SERVICES

MELS REAL ESTATE WEBINAR NOV. 30 

The Municipal Employees Legal Services, MELS, will host a Real Estate Webinar on Monday Nov. 30, 5:30PM to 7:00PM. Housing experts will discuss: Retaining and Working With A Realtor; Seller Concerns; Purchaser Concerns; Financing; Home Inspections, and more. Please register at www.dc37mels.com. A Meeting ID will be e-mailed 24 hours before the event. For more information, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212 815-1111 or email MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net

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MELS STUDENT LOAN DEBT WEBINAR DEC. 8

MELS will host a student loan debt webinar on Tuesday Dec. 8, 5:30 p.m to 7 p.m. 

Legal experts will share information covering: 

• COVID protections for student borrowers;
• Income Driven Repayment Plans; Loan Consolidation;
• Rehabilitation after Default, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and more. Register at www.dc37mels.com 

A Meeting ID will be e-mailed 24 hours before the event. For more information, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212 815-1111 or email MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net. 

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EVICTION HELP: MELS is here to help members with their housing issues.

If you have received a legal notice, are in need of rental assistance or have a question about a lease renewal, rent increase, repair dispute, rent subsidy, income recertification, SCRIE or other landlord-tenant matter, MELS lawyers can help for free as part of your union benefit. 

In September the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a temporary ban on residential evictions through Dec. 31, 2020.

For a tenant to qualify for coverage under the CDC Order, the tenant is required to provide a “Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury” to the landlord.

As Dec. 31 nears, MELS lawyers can help members facing eviction. If you want advice or assistance in drafting or submitting a CDC Declaration to your landlord or need help applying for rental assistance, please contact MELS. If you receive any notices from your landlord or a city marshal or notices from the court at any time, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111 or email MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net. 

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DC 37 EDUCATION FUND

Winter 2021 DC 37 EDUCATION FUND FREE TRAINING and BENEFITS 

The DC 37 Education Fund is offering classes online Winter 2021: DC 37 Education Fund is currently accepting applications for the Winter 2021 cycle online classes. The Ed Fund offers classes on labor, business, the Lillian Roberts Women’s Leadership Academy, and more. For a full list of DC 37 Ed Fund courses and programs and to register, please visit: www.dc37.net/benefits/education/edfund and click on your program of interest. 

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TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: As DC 37 resumes its Tuition Reimbursement program, we have streamlined the application process. There may be longer than usual processing time required; thank you for your patience. Members should continue to mail in their completed reimbursement applications and supporting documents to: DC 37 Education Fund Attn: Tuition Refund, 75 Broad Street, Suite 2204  New York, NY 10004

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CUNY Counseling is here for you! Worker Education at the CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies (SLU) can help you reach your career and academic goals. CUNY-SLU’s experienced advisors are available for one-on-one phone sessions on: academic requirements for specific jobs; choosing a CUNY campus and major; applying to and financing a CUNY degree; certificate and non-credit options at CUNY, and transferring previous credits, and more. 

Each session is free and caters to your specific goals and needs. Schedule your CUNY advisement session at: CUNYDays.eventbrite.com. 

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STAND UP for a NEW DEAL for CUNY

CUNY Rising Alliance is hosting a CUNY Town Hall on December 2, 7 to 9 p.m. DC 37 members are urged to help support a New Deal for CUNY that would:

* Make CUNY tuition-free for in-state undergraduate students and replace tuition income with public funds. 

* Adjust the ratio of mental health counselors to meet national standards. 

* Increase the number of academic advisors. 

* Hire 5,000 more full-time faculty to improve the ratio of full-time faculty to students. Professionalize adjunct compensation. 

* Invest in capital renewal to improve health and safety, accessibility, clean energy, and maintenance of CUNY buildings. 

To attend, please register at https://psc-cuny.org/calendar/cuny-rising-new-deal-cuny-townhall. 

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YOU CAN GET YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA. LET DC 37’s ED FUND HELP

Do you need your High School Equivalency Diploma? You may be eligible for the TASC test waiver in effect through June 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The test for the High School Equivalency Diploma is now called the TASC Test. The TASC, Test Assessing Secondary Completion, replaces the GED exam. If you took and passed at least three subtests on the TASC and/or the GED exam, and/or Regents credits, you are in luck! You may qualify for the COVID-19 TASC test waiver in effect through June 30, 2021. 

For more details, visit the union blog at www.dc37.net or email ppunch@dc37.net.

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HOLIDAY LIGHTS at the BRONX ZOO 

An illuminated global safari brightens the Bronx Zoo each night Nov. 20 through Jan. 10, thanks to hardworking Local 1501 members.

The new display crosses three continents and dives deep into the ocean to feature illuminated animals. Stiltwalkers and ice carvers add to the festive feeling.

The nightly outdoor winter exhibit is a fun and safe tour that families can enjoy throughout the holiday season. 

The Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights has a limited number of tickets available each day. It begins at 3 p.m. and is not part of the WCS Zoo’s Free Wednesdays program. 

Visitors can purchase tickets online for contactless entry. Guests and staff must wear face masks.  Click Bronx Zoo Know Before You Go for details.