Midtown Blogger/Manhattan Valley Follies: Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell

A Message from Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell

Dear Neighbor,

Fall is here! I look forward to sharing several community events I have planned for this season, and enjoying everything our neighborhood has to offer during this time. Additionally, I hope to highlight the corrections work I have done throughout the state as well as the exciting legislative trip to Ireland ahead of me.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month as well as LGBT History Month. In September of 2010, my statewide anti-bullying bill, the Dignity for All Students Act, was signed into law. The law seeks to provide students with a safe and supportive school environment, free of harassment and discrimination. On October 15th, Spirit Day, I will be wearing purple to show my support for LGBT youth and national anti-bullying efforts. On October 9th in Belfast, Ireland, I look forward to delivering the keynote address at Ulster University & Transnational Justice Institute's panel event "Marriage Equality: How the US was Won." A live streaming of this event can be accessed by clicking this link starting at 11:00 am EST.

As the Chair of the Corrections Committee I am currently visiting prisons throughout New York. Last month, I was given the opportunity to tour the Elmira Correctional Facilitywhere I learned about the challenges its incarcerated population faces. While Elmira Correctional Facility demonstrated fewer obstacles than many of its counterparts throughout the state, I am committed to advocating for an educational program that will better prepare them for reentry into society. I strongly support all efforts to ensure that recidivism rates are lowered and that these populations successfully rejoin their families and their communities.

Finally, I am happy to report that my no-cost mammogram screening with Project Renewal at Straus Park was a huge success- over thirty women received screenings! I applaud all the women that were in attendance on October 3rd despite the inclement weather, and I thank Project Renewal for their supportive staff and services. If you were unable to attend and would like to determine if you are eligible to receive a no-cost mammogram screening, please contact Project Renewal at 1-800-564-6868.

As always, should you need assistance or information, my Community Office is open from Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM. Feel free to call my office at (212) 866-3970 or email me at odonnelld@assembly.state.ny.us.

Very truly yours,

Daniel O'Donnell

Assembly Member

Assembly Member O'Donnell's Upcoming Free Legal Clinic

For constituents who need help with legal issues but are unable to come to Assembly Member O'Donnell's Community Office during the workday, Assembly Member O'Donnell hosts a monthly evening opportunity for constituents to consult with a volunteer attorney.

Call Joyce at (212) 866-3970 to make an appointment.

**Thursday, October 22nd**

Community Office Seeks Fall Interns and Semester Fellow

Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell's New York City community office is seeking Fall Interns & a Semester Fellow. Students interested in public service will have the opportunity to get real-life experience in an active, fast-paced, New York City government office. The program offers interns the chance to engage in legislative research, offer administrative support, and help with constituent services. Successful candidates are personable and have strong research and writing skills. We aim to create an experience that is tailored to individual interests while exposing students to the dynamic day-to-day work of elected officials. Spanish-speaking is a plus. To learn more about Assembly Member O'Donnell, please visit his Assembly webpage at: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Daniel-J-O%27Donnell/.

Responsibilities:

Constituent services, conducting policy and legislative research, drafting correspondence, outreach, and press materials, special events planning assistance, and office management tasks.

Semester fellow should complete one individualized research or policy project (to be determined in conjunction with the Internship Coordinator)*

Qualifications:

Strong research, writing and analytical skills, excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Drive, interest in public and community service, highly organized, proactive, and able to multi-task. Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

Semester fellow should be available at least 20 hours per week.*

How To Apply:

Please email resume and cover letter to simmonsj@assembly.state.ny.us

Franciscan After School Program

The Franciscan Community Center (FCC) provides a wide variety of programming to third - sixth graders. From 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, FCC provides homework help, computers, one-on-one tutoring, arts and crafts, Spanish classes, theatre, sports and recreation and games. For information, registration fees, and general inquires, please contact the FCC at (212) 932-8040 ext. 23.

The Museum of Natural History's 18th Annual Halloween Celebration

Join the Museum of Natural History for loads of Halloween fun throughout the Museum's halls! The festivities include: trick-or-treating, live music, magic, arts and crafts, origami and roaming characters-including Olivia, Wild Thing, Clifford, and Curious George. Come in your Halloween costume!

American Museum of Natural History. $11 per person; $10 for museum members.

*Saturday, October 31st 4:00pm to 7:00pm*

Bloomingdale School Of Music's Free Faculty Concert Series

On Friday, October 2nd join Bloomingdale School of Music (323 West 108th Street) at 7:00pm for a concert entitled "Beauty in Form", a solo piano concert of lyric beauty by three masters who found inspiration in the ever-malleable yet strict confines of the Sonata: Mozart, Schubert and Scriabin. Featuring Roberto Hidalgo on piano.

Free and Open to the Public.