DC 37 MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES' HOUSING PROGRAM

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 return of First Time Homebuyer Seminars. Join us as we discuss the mortgage process, how to prepare application materials, and what potential lenders are looking for. We will be joined by representatives from Wells Fargo, Chase, and Valley Bank. We hope to see you there!

 Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 at 11 a.m.  | Join the seminar when it begins by clicking here. 

SAFETY AND HEALTH

The DC 37 Safety and Health Department advises all of our members against the adverse effects of cold stress as temperatures continue to drop this winter season. If your job title requires you to work outdoors in cold environments for extended timeframes, you are more vulnerable to cold stress. 

 Cold stress occurs by driving down the skin temperature, and eventually the internal body temperature. As the body is unable to warm itself, serious injuries such as hypothermia, frostbite, and immersion/trench foot may occur. 

 Factors that increase your risk of cold stress injuries/illnesses include: 

• Wetness/Dampness 
• Dressing Inappropriately  
• Predisposed Health Conditions (hypertension, hypothyroidism, and diabetes) 

Symptoms of cold stress include: 

• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Excessive Shivering
• Loss of Coordination

If you notice your coworker is experiencing symptoms of cold stress: 

• Call 911 immediately in an emergency. 
• To prevent further heat loss:
• Move the worker to a warm place.
• Change to dry clothes.
• Cover the body (including the head and neck) with blankets, and with something to block the cold (e.g., tarp, garbage bag). Do not cover the face.
• Give warm, sweetened drinks if alert (no alcohol)

For more information on cold stress, please click here.

DC 37 FIELD OPERATIONS

Thank you to all of our members who attended our Union Halls this past month. The goal of hosting these Union Hall meetings is to connect members with all of the benefits that are available to them as members of DC 37. Be sure to keep an eye out for more Union Halls in 2024!

MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES LEGAL SERVICES

MELS Housing Webinar

Knowledge is power! MELS Housing Attorneys will answer your questions about rent withholding, obtaining repairs, mold, lead paint, bedbugs and rodents, rent increases, lease renewals, and security deposits, noisy neighbors and construction, water and property damage, smoking, roommates, breaking your lease, legal notices and much more!

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 at 6 p.m.  | Register for the webinar HERE 

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

MELS Bankruptcy Webinar

Have you considered filing for bankruptcy? Do you have more questions than answers about the process? If so, this workshop is for you! Join the DC 37 MELS Department to learn about what kinds of debts you can discharge, the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, the potential impact on your credit, and much more! 

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023 at 6 p.m.  | Register for the webinar HERE 

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

DC 37 EDUCATION FUND

Register Now: Winter 2024 Ed Fund Classes Still Available

Registration for the Winter 2024 semester with the union's Education Fund is available on the DC 37 website. Classes begin in January. 

You can check the website by clicking HERE for information on classes and schedules, or to register for a program.

The DC 37 Green Jobs Training Program is Back and Better Than Ever

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, click HERE.

NYC Career Maps

The DC 37 Education Fund and CUNY’s New York City Labor Market Information Service (NYCLMIS) have created career maps to promote the career development of DC 37 membership. These online maps identify, illustrate, and describe opportunities for advancement for selected covered job titles.

 Career maps are available for the following fields: 

• Administrative and Data-Focused Health Care
• HVAC-R
• IT Networking
• Parks and Recreation
• Patient-Care Focused Health Care
• Software Development

You can view these maps HERE.

 Be on the lookout for more Ed Fund career maps in the future. For information, call the DC 37 Ed Fund at (212) 815-1700 or email [email protected].

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 in January for eligible Local 768 licensed Social Workers. 

These workshops are:

• Addressing Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Shared Trauma (2 CE) – Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 7-9 p.m. (Registration deadline: Dec. 18)
• Social Anxiety Disorder: An Integrative CBT - Expressive Approach for Cultivating Social Efficacy (3 CE)  Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 6-9 p.m. (Registration deadline: Jan. 2)

If you are interested in attending these virtual workshops, please complete the online application by clicking here.

If you have any questions regarding the online application or the workshop, please send an email to [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected].

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 Spring 2024 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 [email protected].

CPA Review

The Education Fund has an upcoming CPA Review class focused on the Auditing and Attestation section of the exam that will begin on Jan. 30.

If you are interested in taking this class, you can complete an online application by clicking HERE.

Test Prep Workshops

The Ed Fund Test Prep/Math and Test Prep/Reading workshops assist members in improving their test-taking skills in the two primary academic areas. These six-session workshops are not tailored to a specific exam but provide support through skill-building and strategies to improve your scores on competitive exams. Math/Test Prep will be offered on six consecutive Tuesdays starting Jan. 23; Test Prep/Reading will be offered on Thursdays beginning Jan. 25.

Since these workshops are conducted virtually, a computer is needed to participate.

To register for one or both, click HERE.

CISCO/COMPTIA+ Certification Program

he Education Fund in conjunction with CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) will offer CISCO and CompTIA+ certification courses to eligible DC37 members. The majority of this program will be offered virtually, however, some sessions will be required at BMCC’s learning lab located at 25 Broadway in lower Manhattan. 

For more information and to apply, please click HERE.

Update: The GED Is Back!

Since January 2022, the High School Equivalency exam is the GED again. However, there are changes to the exam and the way you schedule your test. There are four subtests on the exam instead of five. In addition to Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies, and Science, the Reading and Writing subtests are combined in a subtest called Reasoning Through Language Arts. The good news is that passing scores from the tests taken between 2002 and 2021 count toward earning your diploma.

You must create your own GED account to schedule an exam. Information about the GED exam can be found at ged.com. The exams are primarily offered online and must be taken at an official GED testing center.

DC 37 offers prep classes for eligible members online, in person, and hybrid through our partner colleges, available in English and Spanish.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment with an Educational Counselor, email [email protected].

Microsoft Office Certification Program At Hostos

The Microsoft Office Certificate Program will provide students with the technical skills needed in today’s workforce, covering basic computer and keyboarding skills as well as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

To register, click HERE.

Resume Writing And Interview Techniques

Both of these virtual workshops are still available and accepting applications. As a follow-up to attending the workshops, an appointment will be scheduled for each attendee to assist with updating their resume and conduct a mock interview with the instructor. 

To register for Resume Writing, click HERE. 
To register for Interview Techniques, click HERE.

Retirees Education Courses For Winter 2024

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

For 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. 

For more information about these programs, call (212) 341-4991 or email [email protected]. 

You can also register early on our website by clicking here.

Child Development Associate (CDA) Course

The new class begins on Jan. 16, 2024. The class meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:45-8:45 p.m. The cost of the class is $1,200, and scholarships are available. 

Email [email protected] for more information. 

You may register for this class by clicking here.

Scholarships

The Educational Incentive Program (EIP) 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. You can learn more about this scholarship opportunity by visiting the EIP website here. 

AFSCME scholarships are open to all members: https://www.afscme.org/member-resources/scholarships/union-plus-scholarship 

• Union Plus scholarship deadline to apply: Jan. 31
• AFSCME family Scholarship deadline to apply: Dec. 31

MSK DIRECT

Caregiver Services

More than one in four adults in the United States provides care to a family member or friend. This is over 50 million people — you are not alone. It’s normal to sometimes feel overwhelmed by the stress of caregiving. That’s especially true when you’re also working at your job. But you’re not alone. MSK has many resources to support you as you take on this role while also taking care of yourself. 

Learn more about caregiver support resources at: https://www.mskcc.org/direct/dc37/caregiving.