NYCHA Repairs Gompers Houses Resident’s Kitchen After Currents News Coverage

By Jessica Easthope

The everyday racket of a kitchen are sounds this NYCHA resident has been praying for.

“I felt like it was amazing. It took a lot of stress off I was able to put things in order, I just think it’s long overdue but I appreciate the help,” she said.

For more than a year and a half this woman, a mother of two who doesn’t want to be identified didn’t have any cabinets to slam or drawers to put things in – until Currents News covered the story. We met while doing a story about conditions in New York City public housing and how so many people are living in squalor.

“There was something – it just felt right, and I’m glad I did let you in,” the woman said, explaining she let faith guide her that day.

We found out she had submitted countless work order tickets to NYCHA, but the agency told her they lost them.

“Within 24 hours of your visit I had my kitchen sink back, so I am overjoyed, I am very grateful,” she said.

Overjoyed, but she said deep down she’s underwhelmed and frustrated it took publicity to get NYCHA moving.

“If you guys would have never came, I’d still be waiting,” she said.

It’s only a small win. The cockroach infestation in her apartment is getting worse by the day and her bathroom is crumbling around her. But now she says she’s advocating for herself and even for others.

“I’m going to continue to talk to my neighbors and tell them, being quiet isn’t helping you it’s only helping them,” she said.

NYCHA said it’s coming back on August 11 to fix the other issues. She loves her new kitchen, but what she loves even more is her new voice.

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Currents News Update for Monday, 8/2/21

New details on a story we first brought to you – a NYCHA nightmare exposed. A woman was living in a roach infested apartment, with no gas, no kitchen cabinets and no sink. But when our story aired, she got the changes she wanted.

U.S. bishops are applauding the federal government as they evacuate and relocate thousands of Afghans who helped U.S. troops over the past two decades.

Gang warfare on the streets of Queens – this time outside a laundromat – a coordinated attack caught on video, injuring ten people standing on a corner in Corona.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday, 7/30/21

10 million meals: that’s how many breakfast, lunch, and dinners Catholic Charities of New York has distributed to people in need since the start of the pandemic.

After the CDC released new guidance saying masking may be required indoors, even if you’re vaccinated.

Can the next mayor, whoever he is, save NYCHA?

Catholic Charities of New York Hits 10 Million Meal Distribution Milestone During the Pandemic

By Emily Drooby

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York hit a major milestone on Thursday, July 29: the organization handed out their 10 millionth meal to the people of New York during the pandemic.

Three-hundred meals were distributed outside of Sacred Heart School in the Bronx. Much of the product came from Goya.

While it was a celebration of a big accomplishment, it was also a sad reminder of just how hard the pandemic has hit the city.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York was on hand to give out food to those in need. Speaking to Currents News, he explained why helping feed the hungry is a very Catholic thing to do.

“To help them, to feed them, to house them, to serve them, to heal them, it’s what Jesus asked us to do,” explained the cardinal. “This isn’t some hobby, this isn’t some nice idea, this is a sacred duty.”

Claudie was in line to receive food along with her grandmother.

“I think that this is a really good action that they do for us, for the people who really need thing kind of thing,” she said.

Along with the food distribution, they had other key services, including social services and vaccination opportunities.

Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of New York explained while this was a big moment for them, it was bittersweet.

“Sad that the pain and the suffering was real,” Msgr. Sullivan said. “Proud that we were there.”

He also told Currents News that while the need is still higher than pre-pandemic levels, it has gone down recently because of other programs like the child tax credit. Because of this, they will begin to scale back some of their food distribution, but will use those resources to help the community in other ways.

Currents News Update for Thursday, 7/29/21

It’s a big day for Catholic Charities of New York. The agency is providing its 10-millionth meal since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Knights of Columbus have set up a GoFundMe to raise money to replace two statues at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Forest Hills that were destroyed by a vandal.

The official image of the 10th “World Meeting of Families” has been unveiled!

Gov. Cuomo Issues New Mandate For Healthcare Workers to Get Vaccinated

Currents News Staff

The personal incentive to get the vaccine shot here in New York City? A cool $100 dollar bill if you get the vaccine at a city run site starting Friday. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the incentive to get more New Yorkers motivated, calling vaccination “the solution.”

And a day after he announced all city workers have to either get the shot or get tested weekly, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued his own mandate.

“In New York and upstate hospitals, all patient-facing healthcare workers must get vaccinated,” Gov. Cuomo said. “There will be no testing option.”

Vaccinated or not, don’t lose the mask! This announcement comes after an about-face from the CDC.

“We must take every step we can to stop the Delta variant,” the agency said.The CDC is now recommending everyone, including the vaccinated, wear masks inside if they live in an area with high or substantial transmission.

On the CDC website, there’s a color-coded map that shows the red and orange zones where masks are recommended. Brooklyn and Queens are in the orange zone. Both Cuomo and deBlasio say they’ll review the CDC’s new guidelines.

The ever-changing rules from the agency have caused a lot of confusion, and division, especially when it comes to donning a mask.

Health experts explain that the recommendations have changed because the virus has changed.

“We have the Delta variant now and behind it, the Lambda variant,” said Dr. Robert Tiballi of the Catholic Medical Association. “That’s one that’s ravaging South America right now and it will likely be here in the not too distant future.”

St. Joseph’s Seminary Offering New Online Masters Program

By Jessica Easthope

St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie is helping you in mastering an online degree. The new master’s and post-baccalaureate programs are available for both laypeople and religious. Students will Zoom into live classroom lectures at three locations.

An array of subjects will be offered ranging from morality to the history of the Church. Seminary staff says it’s what new-age evangelization looks like.

“People want to learn more about the faith and what this enables them to do is to do so in a very convenient way and within the context of the representation of the entire church,” said Father Matthew Ernest, the academic dean at St. Joseph’s Seminary.

“We’ve been able to broaden our audience and teach on a larger stage and to me that is so great,” said associate academic dean, Donna Eschenauer.

Applications are being accepted through September 7. You can apply online at dunwoodie.edu

Currents News Update for Wednesday, 7/28/21

A personal incentive to get the shot here in New York City? A cool one-hundred-dollar bill if you get the vaccine at a city run site starting Friday.

Vaccinated or not you might want to get ready to mask up again – the CDC is recommending everyone, including the vaccinated, wear masks inside if they live in an area with high or substantial transmission.

The White House is considering a mandate requiring federal employees either get vaccinated or get tested for COVID weekly.

New York City Employees Mandated to Get COVID-19 Vaccine or Take Weekly Tests

By Jessica Easthope

The verdict is in, all New York City workers must get vaccinated or submit to weekly testing. Major labor unions put out dueling statements in the aftermath of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s announcement.

Most notably, District 37, the largest employee union in New York City was concerned they weren’t invited to the table ahead of the mayor’s announcement.

In a statement the District 37 leader Henry Garrido said, “While we encourage everyone to get vaccinated and support measures to ensure our members’ health and wellbeing, weekly testing is clearly subject to mandatory bargaining. New York City is a union town and that cannot be ignored.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Education was largely supportive of the plan, despite not receiving a heads up.

The United Federation of Teachers released a statement saying, “This approach puts the emphasis on vaccination but still allows for personal choice and provides additional safeguards through regular testing.”

Currents News hasn’t received a response from any of the NYPD unions yet, but the FDNY EMS workers slammed the move, noting that the FDA still hasn’t given any final approvals for COVID-19 vaccines.

Local teachers and their families were also divided on the issue. “I feel like it should be the same as a religious freedom, that you choose your own faith and what you believe in,” said Christine Hooper, the parent of public-school student.

“It’s not like you have freedom to say and do what you want, not in a pandemic, we need vaccines and if not you need to be tested weekly,” said Robert Kleppel, a DOE science teacher for 39 years.

The mandate will affect more than 300,000 people and go into effect on September 13 for the start of the school year.

Currents News Update for Tuesday, 7/27/21

All New York City workers must get vaccinated or submit to weekly testing.

And now so is the dissent – major labor unions putting out dueling statements in the aftermath of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s announcement.

Bishops and priests who once called Cuba home sent a video message of support to the island’s protestors. They are all seeking the intercession of Our Lady of Charity, the patroness of the country.

An update on our local Catholic Olympian whose story we brought to you last week. Kristine O’Brien from Long Island and eight others of her crew won their first rowing match, beating out Romania and Australia. Now it’s time for finals, coming this Thursday.