Sanders Recognizes World Suicide Prevention Day
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Rosedale, parts of Far Rockaway), in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day, encourages anyone who is thinking about hurting themselves or taking their own lives, to stop and seek help immediately.
“Sometimes we can be so overwhelmed by pain and despair that we think suicide is the only way out,” Sanders said. “We may even wonder whether our life makes a difference in the world. However, it is during those times that we must turn to our family, our friends, our faith and perhaps even the advice of a medical professional, before we make a mistake we can’t take back. Every life is precious and has value. No matter how bad things may seem at the moment, there is a way to heal and move on, and maybe over time find ourselves stronger than before.”
Each year 44,965 Americans commit suicide according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, making it the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. For each successful suicide, there are 25 non-fatal attempts. In 2016, the highest suicide rate was among adults between the ages of 45 and 54, the AFSP reports.
There are places you can go to for including: https://
http://samaritansnyc.org/.
DenDekker Applauds Cuomo Supportive Housing Announcement
Assemblymember Michael G. DenDekker (D-Woodside, Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst) yesterday applauded Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s announced 182 conditional awards for more than 1,200 units of supportive housing for homeless persons with special needs, conditions or other challenges.
The awards will provide support services and operating funds to 116 community partners in 43 counties across the State. This is the third phase of Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative awards, which is part of the Governor’s 5-year, $2.6 billion commitment to developing 6,000 units of supportive housing in New York State.
“The Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative is providing thousands of individuals with the stability and services they need to live productive lives,” said Cuomo. “This administration has made a historic commitment to ending homelessness and ensuring that even the most vulnerable New Yorkers have access to affordable housing, making communities across the state safer for all.”
Awardees are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in services and operating funds for each new supportive housing unit. The awards will help applicants secure capital through New York State Homes and Community Renewal and the Homeless Housing Assistance Program to finance the development and construction of their supportive housing project.
DenDekker, chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs said, “I would like to thank Governor Cuomo and the New York State Office of Mental Health for proceeding with the $2.6 billion five-year plan for supportive housing. Providing social services for seniors, veterans, residents with substance abuse and various mental health issues is critical. This program will create safe, affordable housing with supportive services for the most vulnerable New Yorkers.”
Addabbo Wants Mayor To Reconsider Ozone Park, Glendale Homeless Shelter Sites
State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside and The Rockaways) is continuing to call on Mayor Bill de Blasio to reconsider a slated homeless shelters in Ozone Park and Glendale because the two shelters are in very close proximity to several local schools.
Under de Blsio’s “Turning the Tide on Homelessness” plan, the former Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church located at 85-15 101st Avenue, in Ozone Park is slated to become a homeless shelter for 113 mentally ill men by early 2019, while a former factory in Glendale, located at 78-16 Cooper Avenue, is also being considered to become a homeless shelter.
“Now that schools are open, we can all see the students and parents with strollers passing by a site that in the near future could house over 100 mentally ill men, with limited services,” Addabbo warned.
This is one of the main reasons that these residents are opposed to having these homeless shelters in their communities, Addabbo said. Mothers do not want to walk with their children passed or near a shelter.
“With both the Ozone Park and Glendale sites being proposed for a large population of mentally ill men, with no guarantee of eliminating sexual offenders, this is a huge public safety issue for my constituents,” the Senator stated.
“As a father with two young girls in the school system, I can relate to these parents’ concerns,” Addabbo continued. “Our children’s safety is our utmost concern and sending them to school where homeless men — especially mentally ill men — are being housed is very concerning. I understand that my constituents are aware of the need to assist the homeless, but building large population shelters in such close proximity to several community schools is not the right answer. I look forward to continue working with Mayor de Blasio to find a solution to our city’s homelessness problem that works best for everyone.”
