Dear Neighbors,

I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season so far with your friends and loved ones. As your Council Member, it has been my greatest honor to represent and advocate for the vibrant and resilient community of District 40. This year has been one of growth, collaboration, and meaningful progress, all made possible by the support, input, and engagement of each of you. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to every resident, community leader, and organization that has partnered with my office to bring about positive change. Together, we have tackled challenges, celebrated victories, and laid the foundation for an even brighter future. Your trust and dedication inspire me every day to continue this important work. Thank you for allowing me to serve you. Let’s continue building on this momentum as we move forward into a new year filled with promise and opportunity.

Year in Review: 2024

As I reflect on this year, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities to serve my community and make a difference in the lives of the residents of District 40. Here are a few highlights and what I am most proud of what we achieved together in 2024:

Events

• Launched a skate night series in partnership with Elite Learners at Winthrop Park to bring joy and foster community bonding among our youth during the summer.
• Connected with neighbors at block parties, street co-namings, and other community events that showcased the spirit of District 40.
• We had over 60 community events throughout the district this year!  

Education

• Passed a resolution urging New York City Public Schools to implement student newspapers in every high school, fostering student voice and journalistic learning, a special thank you to the Youth Journalism Coalition for making this possible.
• Advocated for clearing the 3-K and 4-K waitlists , highlighted the need for expanded preschool special education seats, launched a 10-point plan to tackle the issues in our Early Childhood Education system.
• Led Education Committee hearings addressing school busing challenges, particularly focusing on resolving driver shortages and contract inefficiencies.
• Partnered with United Way NYC and the Hispanic Federation to launch the Latine Studies Curriculum.

Legislation

• Introduced the “Luggage to Foster Care Youth“ bill, aimed at replacing trash bags with proper luggage for foster youth during transitions, a special thank you to the Next100, Center for Fair Futures, HeartShare St.Vincent’s, and UFT.
• Championed transit equity through support for Vision Zero initiatives and bike lane expansions, making our streets safer and more accessible.
• Advocated for funding transparency and equitable distribution in city budgets to prioritize the needs of our most vulnerable communities.
• Over 20 pieces of legislation were introduced throughout the 2023-2024 legislative session!

Constituent Services

• Assisted families with navigating the complexities of public education, ensuring access to critical resources for their children.
• Advocated for foster youth, drawing from my own experiences as a foster mother and ensuring their dignity is upheld.
• Supported caregivers like myself by connecting them to resources and support networks for elderly family members.
• Facilitated community events that not only celebrated our diversity but also created opportunities for dialogue and unity among neighbors.
• Launched the Milk Cafe at Morris Heights Brooklyn to provide maternal health resources for new and expecting mothers.
  

  As we move into 2025, I remain committed to fighting for equity, education, and opportunity for every resident of District 40. Thank you for your support and collaboration this past year—I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the year ahead! Warm regards, Rita Joseph Your Council Member A FEW FAVORITE MOMMENTS IN 2024! Council Member Rita Joseph’s annual toy giveway for students in temporary housing.  Council Member Rita Joseph, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom.  Council Member Rita Joseph and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine Rally for the expansion of public restrooms across New York City.  Council Member Rita Joseph celebrating District 79 students at New York City Public Schools.  Council Member Rita Joseph at the End of Year Fitness Party and Wellness Event.  Council Member Rita Joseph at the Flatbush Central Market supporting local vendors.  Council Member Rita Joseph with student journalists at City Hall.  Council Member Rita Joseph with Big Reuse and community members for a street tree care event.   IMPORTANT COMMUNITY RESOURCES Be #FDNYSmart This Holiday Season Winter holidays are a time to celebrate with loved ones, but also a prime time for fires to occur.  More than one-third of home fires occur during the months of December, January and February. It’s important to celebrate safely. Here are some safety tips to make sure you and your loved can be #FDNYSmart this holiday season: Shop Smart When Purchasing Gifts Beware of purchasing devices with dangerous, uncertified lithium-ion batteries. Un-certified lithium-ion batteries are illegal in New York City. Only buy certified lithium-ion batteries and devices, that are stamped with UL symbol. Certified lithium-ion batteries have been tested to meet national safety standards. Not all products sold online are certified. Carefully read the product listing, website and operating manual. Christmas Trees When picking a tree, shake it to check for dryness. If too many dry needles fall, choose a fresher tree. Cut trees 2 inches from the base of the trunk before placing the tree to help keep it fresher longer. Keep the tree at least three feet away from any heat source. Add water to the tree stand and water the tree daily. Dispose of the tree immediately after Christmas or when it becomes dry. Dried trees pose an increased fire hazard. Decorations and Lighting Choose decorations that are flame resistant, flame retardant, or created with noncombustible materials. Do not overload electrical outlets, extension cords and power strips. Turn off all lights before leaving the home or going to bed. Use lights and electrical decorations that are stamped with UL symbol. Inspect new and used lights before using them. Replace strings of lights that have worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read instructions to learn the number of light strands you can safely connect. Use clips, not nails, to hang lights, so the cords do not get damaged. Candles Use sturdy candle holders, with flame-protective non-combustible (glass or metal) shades or globes. Place candles at least four feet away from curtains, draperies, blinds, kitchen cabinets and bedding. Place candles out of reach of small children and pets. Extinguish candles when they burn within two inches of the holder. Never leave burning candles unattended. Securing hair and clothing, such as sleeves or aprons, from the flame when handling candles. Keeping candles, matches and lighters, including lit memorial containers and Chanukah menorahs, out of reach of children Cooking Don’t leave food cooking unattended; Stand by Your Pan! Keep the area around the stove clear of anything that could burn (paper towels, papers, potholders, etc.) Cook with indicated temperature settings, refrain from using higher temperature settings. In the event of a pot or pan fire, turn off the heat and cover it with a lid. Do not use water! It could cause splashing and spread the fire. To help raise awareness throughout the holiday season, we encourage you to share these tips along with the public service announcement in the links below:  Winter Holiday Safety PSA  Fire Commissioner PSA For more safety tips, please visit www.fdnysmart.org. Heat Season  Building owners are legally required to provide heat and hot water to their tenants. Hot water must be provided 365 days per year at a constant minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat must be provided between October 1st and May 31st, i.e. “Heat Season,” under the following conditions: Day Between the hours of 6:00am and 10:00pm, if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Night Between the hours of 10:00pm and 6:00am, the inside temperature is required to be at least 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Upcoming Events  Get Involved! Top Constituent Conerns Community Board Applications are now open!  Community boards help decide the future of Brooklyn, and New York City residents over the age of 16 can apply to their local board now through February 14, 2025. Apply at https://www.brooklynbp.nyc.gov/community-boards .   Legislative Corner  At the last City Council Stated Meeting of the year my bill Int.265 passed! It’s a crucial step toward protecting the health and well-being of our public servants by streamlining access to city-administered health insurance when employees transfer between agencies. Clear communication and expedited processes are not just bureaucratic improvements, they are lifelines for workers and their families. By making sure employees have the information and support they need to maintain their health coverage without interruption, we are demonstrating that New York City values the people who keep our city running. TEACHER’S CORNER  Article of the Week  New Latino studies effort underway at NYC Schools