January 2025: Union News, Events and Services

DC 37 MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES LEGAL SERVICES

Housing Webinar

MELS Housing Attorneys will answer your questions about getting repairs, rights of family members to take over apartments, legal notices that precede court action, leases and renewal increases, landlord harassment, one-shot deals, charitable grants, and tenant protections available under the Good Cause Eviction law. 

Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m.| Register HERE.

MELS Tax Filing Tips Webinar

Tax season will be here before you know it. Join the DC 37 MELS team as we discuss tips and tricks to get you to the finish line early. We will discuss filing status, standard and itemized deductions, tax credits, and more! 

Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. | Register HERE.

For more information, call the MELS Screening Unit at (212) 815-1111 or email [email protected].

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. 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, Jan. 11 at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.
Saturday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.

DC 37 POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

Support Your Union Political Action Fund!

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. 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, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. | Register 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 via Zoom.Thursday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. | To register, click HERE.

Become a Volunteer Member Organizer (VMO)

You can make a big difference in next year’s important elections! Join our Political Action VMO team to help us get candidates in office who will fight to protect jobs and critical services in our community. Volunteers will participate in member-to-member door-knocking, phone banking, and leafleting. 

VMO shifts will take place throughout May and June on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 4 – 7 p.m. Members selected for the VMO team will receive a stipend of $22/hour for their volunteer time. 

If you are interested in being considered, please click HERE to sign up.

DC 37 EDUCATION FUND

Applications for the Winter 2025 Semester Are Now Available!

The Education Fund is still accepting applications for courses that begin this January! For a list of current offerings, please visit our Classes and Benefits page by clicking HERE! Many classes fill up quickly so register today!

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 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: 

  • Identifying and Addressing Child Sexual Abuse (3 CE) 
    • Wednesday, Jan. 22 from 6-9 p.m. 
    • Registration deadline: Jan. 7
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Cultivating Psychological Flexibility (3 CE)  
    • Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 6-9 p.m.
    • Registration Deadline: Jan. 13 

If you are interested in attending these virtual workshops, please click HERE to complete the online application. If you have any questions regarding the online application of the workshop, please send an email to [email protected].

Applications For Our January/February 2025
Computer Programs– Including Microsoft Excel– Are Open!

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is pivotal in computer skill proficiency. Below are the following open programs: 

  • Queens College – Online Sessions 
    • Microsoft Excel Level I
      • Wednesdays, Jan. 15-Mar. 26 from 6-9 p.m.
      • Click HERE to register 
    • Microsoft Excel Level II
      • Thursdays, Jan. 16-Mar. 20 from 6-9 p.m. 
      • Click HERE to register 
  • City College/Center for Workers Education – Online Sessions 
    • Certificate received after completion of 10 sessions. 
    • Microsoft Excel Level I
      • Fridays, Jan. 17-Mar. 21 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. 
      • Click HERE to register 
    • Microsoft Excel Level II
      • Thursdays, Jan. 16-Mar. 20 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. 
      • Click HERE to register 
  • Hostos Community College – Online Sessions 
    • For members that have completed Intermediate Microsoft Excel courses (Level II), Hostos Community College offers further instructions with our Microsoft Excel Expert program beginning February 2025.
    • Microsoft Excel Expert
      • Feb. 15-Mar. 10 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
      • Click HERE to register 

Microsoft Office

A 60-hour certificate course in Microsoft Office with Hostos Community College is currently accepting applications. Topics covered in Level I and II include: basic computers, basic keyboarding skills, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. 

  • Level I – Online Sessions 
  • Level I – Online Sessions 
    • Saturdays, Feb. 15-May 10 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 
    • Click HERE to register 
  • Level II – Online Sessions 
    • Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 11-Apr. 17 from 6-9 p.m. 
  • Click HERE to register

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!

This 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 caters to your specific goals and needs.

To view the calendar and schedule your CUNY advisement session, click HERE. Can’t find a date/time that works for you? Email [email protected]

The CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies Offers Leap To Teacher (LTT) 

Advance your education in any field with the LEAP to Teacher Program serving all school and daycare workers. Open the door to your future! LEAP to Teacher (LTT) provides a specialized set of support services designed to empower you to become more effective in your schools and more impactful in your communities. The LTT program can assist you with pursuing your undergraduate or graduate degree in any field of study, from the pre-admission stage through graduation.

For more information, please contact: [email protected], call (646) 313-8532 or visit our website HERE.

Retirees Education Courses for Winter 2025 

The Ed Fund is currently accepting applications for classes for the Winter 2025 cycle. Apply online HERE. 

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Manuel Gomez-Rosa at [email protected] 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

  • Continuing Teacher Leader Education (CTLE)
    • Team Building
    • Thursday, Jan. 9 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. 
  • School Violence Prevention & Intervention
    • Monday, Jan. 13 from 6-8 p.m.
  • Child Abuse and Maltreatment
    • Wednesday, Jan. 15 from 6-8 p.m.

You can register for these workshops by clicking HERE.

Classes and Prep Courses 

  • Content Specialty Test (CST) – Arts & Sciences
    • Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Jan. 14 to Jan. 29, 6-8 p.m. 
    • Total of 6 sessions to complete the course 
  • Content Specialty Test (CST) – Math
    • Saturdays, Jan. 25, Feb. 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, Mar. 1, Mar. 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
    • Total of 6 sessions to complete the course 
  • Educating All Students (EAS) Exam Prep
    • Mondays, Jan. 20 to Feb. 10, 6-8 p.m. 
    • Total of 4 sessions to complete the course 
  • Assessment of Teacher Assistant Skills (ATAS)
    • Saturdays, Feb. 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, Mar. 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
    • Total of 4 sessions to complete the course

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

Skills Upgrade

  • Advanced Excel
    • Saturdays, Feb. 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, Mar. 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
    • Total of 4 sessions 
    • Via Google Classroom, Students must have a desktop or laptop

To register, email [email protected].

    Scholarship Opportunities

  • Education Incentive Program (EIP)
    • This scholarship is awarded based on income and gives up to $2,500 per year for college courses and up to $1,250 for the CDA. This scholarship is available to classroom personnel pursuing early childhood education. 
    • Scholarships for 2025 are now open
  • Union Plus Scholarship 
    • Awarded annually to AFSCME members and their families. The amount of the award ranges from $500-$4,000.
    • Due Friday, Jan. 31 

For more information about these programs, call (212) 341-4991 or email [email protected]. You can also check out the website by clicking HERE to register early.

Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS)

Foam Roller Exercises for the Whole Body

Whether you’re sore from sitting too much or getting started on a new exercise routine, using a foam roller can help release tension. Learn from the experts at HSS about how you can use foam rolling on your calves, hamstrings, and upper back.

HSS is here to help DC 37 members and families – and we take most insurances.

Connect with HSS TODAY:
Call: (212) 606-1105
Email: [email protected] 
Visit:HSS.edu/DC37