MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

DC 37 EDUCATION FUND

Register For Spring 2024 Ed Fund Classes! 

Registration for the Spring 2024 semester with the union’s Education Fund is open! Classes begin in April. 

For information on classes and schedules or to register for a program, click HERE. 

DC 37 Education Scholarship Now Accepting Applications!

The DC 37 Education Committee Scholarship application is currently available. You are eligible to apply if you are an active member, the child or grandchild of an active member, or the child or grandchild of a retiree who belongs to DC 37’s Retiree Association.

The deadline to submit a scholarship application is May 10, 2024.  

Scholarship winners will be announced by June 10, 2024. 

For more information on available scholarships and to submit a scholarship application, click 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. 

Free Social Worker Workshops For Local 768 Members

The District Council 37 Education Fund in conjunction with the National Association of Social Workers, New York City Chapter plans to host continuing education workshops for eligible Local 768 licensed Social Workers. These workshops are:

• Post-Traumatic Growth: Deepening Skills to Help Clients Heal
  • Thursday, May 16 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
  • Registration deadline Thursday, Apr. 25
• Maintaining Appropriate Professional Boundaries: Exploring Ethical Obligations of Mental Health Professionals
  • Tuesday, June 18 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
  • Registration deadline Tuesday, May 28

If you are interested in attending this virtual workshops, please enter the following link into your web browser and complete the online application:

May Workshops: Apply HERE.

June Workshops: Apply HERE.

If you have any questions regarding the online application or the workshop, please send an email to dtelemaque-Peschier@dc37.net, kking@dc37.net or lpolimine@dc37.net.

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.

Education And Career Counseling

Do you need guidance on selecting a class from our offerings, updating a resume, or need assistance reaching a career or educational goal? 

Contact an Ed Fund counselor HERE to schedule a virtual appointment.

CUNY Counseling Is Here For You

Now is the ideal time to plan for enrollment at the CUNY college of your choice. Let Worker Education at the CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies (SLU) help guide you through the process of finding the best CUNY program to match your education and career goals.

Expert advisors offer FREE 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, transferring previous credits, and more. Each session is free and catered to your specific goals and needs. Many dates are available to meet with an advisor before the Spring 2024 semester.

View the calendar and schedule your CUNY advisement session here. 

Need help finding a date/time that works for you? Email WorkerEd@slu.cuny.edu.

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.

Local 372 Members in the following titles: Parent Coordinator, School Neighborhood Worker, Community Associate, Community Assistant, Community Coordinator, School Aide/Health Aide, SAPIS Worker may take advantage of our Leap To Teacher (LTT) Program offered in partnership with CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies. 

LTT provides free specialized support services for DC 37 school workers at seven CUNY campuses with options in all five boroughs. The program offers pre-admission advisement, college prep courses, tutoring, writing support, assistance with financial aid and grants, NYS Teacher certification test prep, and more.

For further information, please complete the following survey by clicking HERE.

Please note: Attending these college programs requires a high school diploma or equivalency. Transfer credits may be accepted.

Retirees Education Courses For Spring 2024

The Ed Fund is currently accepting applications for classes for the Spring 2024 cycle. Apply online HERE or visit: https://www.dc37.net/benefits/education/deptclasses/retirees.

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

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

• Infectious Diseases
  • Wednesday, Apr. 10 from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. 
• Continuing Teacher Leader Education (CTLE)
  • Music & Movement – A Brain/Body Approach  
  • Thursday, Apr. 11 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. 
• Managing Your Stress
  • Wednesday, Apr. 17 from 6-8 p.m. 
• Dignity for All Students (DASA)
  • Monday, Apr. 22 and Tuesday, Apr. 24 from 5- 8 p.m.
  • You must attend BOTH sessions 
• Establishing Stronger Family Connections
  • Monday, Apr. 29 from 6-8 p.m. 
• Computer Skills Upgrade: Advanced Word 
  • Saturdays, Apr. 13 to May 4 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 
  • Total of 4 sessions to complete the workshop 

You can register for these workshops by clicking HERE. 

Classes and Prep Courses 

• Assessment of Teacher Assistant Skills (ATAS) Prep
  • Saturdays, Apr. 13 to May 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 
• Content Specialty Test (CST) – English Language Arts & Science
  • Saturdays, Apr. 6 to Apr. 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 
  • Total of 4 sessions to complete the course 
• Content Specialty Test (CST) – Math
  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Apr. 6 to Apr. 27, 6-8 p.m. 
  • Total of 7 sessions to complete the course 

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

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

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, April 13, 2024 at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.

Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 11 a.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 our first Affordable Housing Webinar in partnership with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). We will be joined by guest speaker Shaheem Taylor, HPD’s Marketing Outreach Coordinator, 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! 

Tuesday, April 16 at 6 p.m. | Register HERE.

SONYMA Homebuyer Webinar

We are proud to offer you our first Homebuyer Webinar in partnership with the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA). SONYMA offers low-interest mortgage loans and programs to help qualified buyers purchase their first home. From increasing your understanding of the overall homebuying process, to helping secure funds for a down payment, SONYMA removes many of the hurdles faced by first-time homebuyers. We will be joined by guest speaker Dilfia Munoz, SONYMA AVP/Business Development Officer, as we discuss SONYMA Programs.

Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. | Register HERE.

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 online HERE or check the status of your voter registration HERE.

Support Your Union Political Action Fund!

Have you signed up for PEOPLE yet? DC 37 members are making a difference in important races. PEOPLE contributions are used to do Get Out the Vote campaigns, lobbying around member issues, to directly support 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 PAC meeting is on Thursday, April 11.To register, click HERE.

DC 37 MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES’ LEGAL SERVICES

MELS Citizenship Webinar

DC 37 MELS, in partnership with the 32BJ Legal Services Fund and CUNY’s Citizenship Now, presents Benefits of Becoming a U.S. Citizen. In this webinar, you will learn: how and when to file for citizenship, requirements to file, preparation for the exam, and resources available to members. 

The seminar will be hosted in English with Spanish translation available. 

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 6 p.m. 

Register HERE.

Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS)

Got Joint Pain? HSS is Here to Help!

Joint pain can be complicated. Treating it means knowing which part of the joint is affected, what’s causing the pain, and a patient’s overall health. HSS experts know about joints. It’s our specialty. 

If you or a family member are experiencing joint, back, knee, or muscle pain, HSS can help. The HSS Perform team will connect you with in-network care at one of our convenient locations in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. To connect with HSS today call (212) 606-1105, email HSS4DC37@hss.edu or visit their website by clicking HERE.

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.