July 2026: Union News, Service and Events update

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Happy Fourth of July and Happy 250th Birthday to the United States of America! From District Council 37, we wish you a happy and safe holiday weekend.

 DC 37 and our associated Funds will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of Fourth of July.

DC 37 AT THE YANKEES

Join District Council 37 and the New York Yankees for a fun-filled day at Yankee Stadium in late August!

Game Dates

Against Division rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays:

• Friday, August 21, 7:05 p.m.
• Saturday, August 22, 1:35 p.m.
• Sunday, August 23, 1:35 p.m.

Against the Houston Astros:

• Tuesday, August 25, 7:05 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 26, 7:05 p.m.
• Thursday, August 27, 7:05 p.m.

Each Ticket includes:

• An exclusive New York Yankees DC 37 Jersey
• $15 New York Yankees Food & Beverage Voucher

The Yankees will send your tickets to the email address you used for purchase. Jersey and voucher pickup instructions will also be provided via email prior to the event. Click HERE to sign up!

DC 37 POLITICAL ACTION

Support the DC 37 PEOPLE Program!

There’s a lot on the line this year. The results of the 2026 congressional and presidential elections will determine the fate of workers and communities across the nation. In addition to our work to get pro-worker candidates into office, the DC 37 Political Action team is fighting for reforms to the tier 6 pension system, fair funding for city and state agencies, and a host of other crucial issues.

Your support for the PEOPLE Program will help us elect leaders who will fight for workers’ rights over corporate greed. PEOPLE contributions are used for Get Out the Vote campaigns, lobbying on member issues, directly supporting pro-workers candidates, and other important activities that we are restricted from funding with dues money. Join PEOPLE HERE!

Sign up for PEOPLE as an MVP contributor and get a PEOPLE MVP hoodie!

DC 37 HEALTH & SECURITY PLAN

Personal Service Unit: Boundaries and Mental Health

Boundaries are the emotional, physical, and mental limits we establish for ourselves and with others. Boundaries are personal and different for everyone. Some may struggle with being assertive, saying no, or reinforcing perimeters without feeling guilt. However, the benefits of limit setting can provide a positive sense of self, assertive communication, a feeling of control, self-esteem, ensure one’s needs are met, and is the ultimate form of self-care.

Boundary setting is a skill that can be learned and practiced:

1. Physical Boundaries: Setting clear physical boundaries helps us maintain balance and set expectations around personal space and touch.
2. Relationship and Emotional Boundaries: Defines acceptable behavior, allowing mutually beneficial relationships and separating your feelings from others to avoid burden.
3. Time Boundaries: Protects how you wish to allocate your time; this can help one avoid burning out.
4. Professional Boundaries: Keeping your personal and work lives separate can maintain a healthy balance and promote success in both areas.

The Personal Service Unit of DC 37 is here to support you. To speak with a Licensed Social Worker for confidential therapy or referrals, please call 212-815-1250 between 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, for an assessment.

DC 37 EMPLOYEES HOUSING PROGRAM

MEHP First Time Homebuyers Workshop

MEHP is excited to present a First Time Homebuyer's Workshop. Discover the details of the mortgage process, explore special programs and grants created for first-time buyers, and gain expert guidance from housing specialists. This workshop will equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to confidently take the next step toward owning your home.

Saturday, July 11, at 11 a.m. | Register HERE.

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

MCU 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 announce the MCU First Time Homebuyer Workshop. Join us as we discuss the mortgage process. We would like to assist you on your journey to homeownership. We will cover pre-approvals, debt-to-income ratios, PMI, FHA loans, Conventional Loans, and much more. We will have a question-and-answer session after the presentation. We hope to see you there!

Thursday, July 16, at 6 p.m. | Register HERE.

DC 37 EDUCATION FUND

Apply for Ed Fund Classes Using the New Ed Fund Academy Learning Management System

The DC 37 Education Fund is proud to launch the Ed Fund Academy, a new learning management system that functions as a centralized learning platform for the courses and programs offered by the DC 37 Education Fund. This platform conveniently allows eligible members to see available programs, classes they are enrolled in, and their progress in those classes.

Access to the Ed Fund Academy is available online or through the dedicated ‘Go.Learn’ mobile app accessible on Google Play and the App Store.

To help you navigate the new platform, check out Frequently Asked Questions, tutorial videos, and step-by-step guides HERE.

All students wishing to take classes with the Education Fund must first register with the new learning management system by clicking HERE and selecting Register. New accounts take approximately 24-28 hours to be verified, so sign up today!

Note on eligibility: While all DC 37 members may register for the Ed Fund Academy, members of SSEU Local 371 and the Non-Profit/Private Sector locals are not eligible for DC 37 Education Fund benefits except for the Lillian Roberts Women’s Leadership Academy.

Tuition Reimbursement Benefit

Eligible DC 37 members can now be reimbursed up to $1,500 by the DC 37 Education Fund if the requirements for reimbursement are met. Additionally, tuition reimbursement applications can now be submitted completely online. For more information on 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 and look under Ongoing Programs to schedule a virtual appointment.

Do You Need Your High School Equivalency Diploma (The GED)?

The GED exam is back. It is available to NYS residents, age 19 and over. It has four subtests instead of five. The Reading and Writing subtests are combined in a revised subtest, Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA). Passing scores from past GED exams, TASC exams, or NYS Regents exams will be counted as passing one or more subtests. Eligible members can take GED Prep classes in English or Spanish online, hybrid, or in person. Most exams are administered online in a testing center. A limited number of paper-based exams are available at the testing centers. To view the list of classes, click HERE and look under Adult Education Courses.

Free Community College for New York State Residents

Great news for New York State residents! Community colleges at the CUNY and SUNY levels will be completely free for adult learners looking to enter high-demand fields. Because no one should choose between financial security and a college education.

CUNY and SUNY Reconnect will give students the opportunity to pursue their career goals and prepare for meaningful, high-demand careers right here in New York State. And the Reconnect programs don’t just cover tuition – they cover the cost of books, fees, and supplies for students, too.

You can attend community college for FREE starting next term if you:

• Are a resident of New York State or eligible for in-state tuition
• Are between the ages of 25-55
• Do not currently have a degree
• Is planning to study full-time or part-time in one of 175 eligible SUNY associate degree programs or one of 120+ eligible CUNY associate degree programs.

Members interested in free CUNY community college can apply for an appointment with a CUNY advisor by clicking HERE. If you can’t find a date/time that works for you, email: CUNYDays@slu.cuny.edu.
For more information on CUNY Reconnect, click HERE. For more information on SUNY Reconnect, click HERE.

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: CUNYDays@slu.cuny.edu.

The CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies Offers Leap to Teacher

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: ltt@slu.cuny.edu, call 646-313-8532 or visit our website.

DC 37 NON-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION

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 and upgrading skills opportunities in 2026.

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

Early Childhood Programs Professional Learning Opportunity Alert!

The Early Childhood Inclusion Professional Learning Series is a two-day, in-person training now available to any early childhood program with a majority DC 37 members. It's designed for all staff at the program: classroom and family staff, kitchen, environmental, and leadership alike.

Sessions run a full workday with breakfast and lunch provided, and the two days can be scheduled flexibly to fit your program's calendar. Sign-ups are ongoing — now is a great time to get your program on the list before the new school year begins.

Express your program's interest HERE.