Making It Here

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York City food pantries saw historic numbers of visitors. Walking around the city you may have seen lines down streets and around corners. Many of our neighbors, some for the first time in their lives, were experiencing food insecurity and turned to organizations like The Lion’s Share Food Pantry for help. 

And while some of us feel as though the worst is behind us, the numbers tell a different story. In fact, this past spring Lion’s Share helped more people than ever before.

Today - Epicenter’s S. Mitra Kalita speaks with Silvia Garces, a Chair of Lion’s Share, about what shifts they’ve seen during the pandemic and how you can help.

Contact the Lion's Share Food Pantry: [email protected]

Their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stmarksjh

Their "Go Fund Me": https://bit.ly/3myW4GE

Become an Epicenter-NYC member: https://epicenter-nyc.com/become-a-member/

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

This episode was brought to you by McKinsey & Company. The Shortlist is McKinsey's weekly curated sampling of need to know stories about work, the economy, and culture: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At Epicenter-NYC we’ve been on the front lines, helping our neighbors get their COVID-19 vaccinations. Over 7,000 New Yorkers have turned to Epicenter staff, volunteers and our partners to get vaccines.

But our work isn’t done. Because while the vaccine has been administered for almost a year now, there are still severely under-vaccinated neighborhoods in New York City. And we can’t blame hesitancy alone. Yes -  logistical difficulties STILL plague communities. Queens Village is one of these communities. So we decided to arrange a pop-up in partnership with New York City Test and Trace to bring Pfizer and J&J doses to this pocket of southeast Queens.

In this episode Epicenter’s S. Mitra Kalita talks to Bifen Xu, Sree Bhagavan, Katherine Tam. Bifen, Sree, and Katherine have been instrumental in our mission to vaccinate our neighbors. 

Epicenter's efforts in Queens Village are made possible through a vaccine equity grant from The Fund for Public Health in NYC and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Katherine Tam is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn. You can follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/kathytam14

A vaccine effort update from the Epicenter: https://epicenter-nyc.com/a-vaccine-effort-update-from-the-epicenter/

Why we cannot give up on the unvaccinated: https://epicenter-nyc.com/why-we-cannot-give-up-on-the-unvaccinated/

Become an Epicenter-NYC member: https://epicenter-nyc.com/become-a-member/

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

This episode was brought to you by McKinsey & Company. The Shortlist is McKinsey's weekly curated sampling of need to know stories about work, the economy, and culture: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Broadway has officially been back open since September. But it’s not entirely the same as it was before. Even beyond the COVID-19 vaccine checks and the masking requirements… it’s different. Because unlike a movie or a TV show, a live performance is new every time. The directors, actors, writers, and crew can adjust and adapt.

The brains behind The Lehman Trilogy have done just that since the pandemic upended our lives. They’ve asked themselves the hard questions and have re-approached the work. And after sold out runs in London, The Lehman Trilogy is now on Broadway until January 2nd. In this episode Epicenter’s S. Mitra Kalita speaks with award winning actor Adrian Lester, who plays Emanuel Lehman, and playwright Ben Power.

Adrian Lester on Twitter: https://twitter.com/adrianlester

on IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0504412/

Ben Power on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrbenpower

on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5600390/

Become a member of Epicenter-NYC: https://epicenter-nyc.com/become-a-member/

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

This episode was brought to you by McKinsey & Company. The Shortlist is McKinsey's weekly curated sampling of need to know stories about work, the economy, and culture: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While New York City has built and funded resources for our neighbors that need assistance, for many people it’s still not enough. As a result, we often see non-profits, groups of like minded volunteers, or simply friendly neighbors fill in the gaps where city, state, or federal help is lacking. And groups like CitizensNYC aim to do just that - fill in the gaps. They empower community leaders who are already on the front lines of change in their own neighborhoods to do more.

In this episode we talk to Dr. Rahsaan Harris who is the CEO of CitizensNYC, as well as David Tanis, the founder of the Showing Hearts Foundation. The Showing Hearts Foundation received a grant from CitizensNYC to continue to focus on their work around youth economic development and community outreach.

We’re also joined by 14 year old Leeana Lucas. Leeana is one of Showing Hearts' YOUTHpreneurs - she’ll talk about what she learned from the foundation and the gaps that she sees in her own community.

CitizensNYC: https://www.citizensnyc.org/

Showing Hearts Foundation: https://www.showinghearts.org/

Our livestream on COVID-19 vaccines for children (presented in partnership with TBN24): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnFK1rpQvMk

Become an Epicenter-NYC member: https://epicenter-nyc.com/become-a-member/

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

This episode was brought to you by McKinsey & Company. The Shortlist is McKinsey's weekly curated sampling of need to know stories about work, the economy, and culture: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, New York City has issued a limited number of so-called taxi medallions. Their limited quantities plus the guaranteed income drove up their prices. But the bubble burst in 2014 - around the same time apps like Uber and Lyft became popular.

Medallion prices plummeted and drivers were left owing amounts averaging $500,000 -- debts that could bankrupt drivers and trigger foreclosures. So the city promised to find a solution. But when Mayor de Blasio pledged $65 million toward a relief fund, drivers said it wasn’t enough. And by the end of October, taxi drivers in New York City had been protesting outside City Hall for weeks. Then, last week city officials agreed to significantly expand the financial relief program.

Today we talk with two taxi drivers, Augustine Tang and Dorothy Leconte, about what that news means to them.

Epicenter-NYC "NYC taxi drivers hunger strike for debt relief": https://epicenter-nyc.com/nyc-taxi-drivers-hunger-strike-for-debt-relief/

New York Taxi Workers Alliance: https://www.nytwa.org/

Donate to the New York Taxi Workers Alliance: https://secure.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=614a2237df37c3126f8d665c&websiteId=551c0fb1e4b04e2cba203b00

Follow Augustine Tang on Twitter: https://twitter.com/augustinetang

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

This episode was brought to you by McKinsey & Company. The Shortlist is McKinsey's weekly curated sampling of need to know stories about work, the economy, and culture: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When New York City shut down in March 2020, essential workers kept our city running. They risked their own safety to deliver food and other necessities to those of us quarantined at home. And despite being praised for their resilience and bravery they were also some of the most vulnerable to exploitation.

And as a delivery worker himself, Gustavo Ajche understands these problems firsthand. So he helped build an organization, made up mostly of immigrant delivery workers, to fight for rights and protections. The group is called Los Deliveristas Unidos. And in September, after the city council passed six bills addressing their concerns, they saw the first signs of real progress. 

Today we talk to Hildalyn Colón Hernández, the Director of Policy & Strategic Partnerships at Los Deliveristas Unidos, as well as Co-Founder Gustavo Ajche to learn more about exactly what problems delivery workers face today. 

Epicenter-NYC "NYC serves up bill of rights for delivery workers": https://epicenter-nyc.com/3709-2/

Los Deliveristas Unidos: https://losdeliveristasunidos.org/

Instagram (Los Deliveristas Unidos): https://www.instagram.com/losdeliveristasunidos_ny/

Twitter (Los Deliveristas Unidos): https://twitter.com/workersjusticep

Facebook (Los Deliveristas Unidos): https://www.facebook.com/DeliveristasUnidos

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

This episode was brought to you by McKinsey & Company. The Shortlist is McKinsey's weekly curated sampling of need to know stories about work, the economy, and culture: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the COVID-19 vaccine has been available, we’ve been talking to our neighbors about it. We scheduled thousands of appointments for essential workers and at risk community members, and we learned a lot along the way. And while most people were comfortable… or excited to get vaccinated, some of our neighbors had hesitations. One question in particular kept coming up - will the COVID-19 vaccine affect my ability to conceive?
 
In this episode Epicenter’s Katherine Tam talks to Dr. Ayrenne Adams about what we’ve learned so far. Dr. Adams is a primary care physician and the Clinical Director of Social Determinants of Health at NYC Health and Hospitals. She’s also a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine. 
 
We also hear the stories of two Brooklyn moms who were pregnant during the pandemic.

Study referenced by Dr. Adams (Preliminary Findings of mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine Safety in Pregnant Persons): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa2104983

Epicenter-NYC interview with Dr. Adams: https://epicenter-nyc.com/we-asked-a-doctor-about-getting-the-vaccines-when-youre-thinking-of-getting-pregnant/

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://epicenter-nyc.com/the-case-for-epicenter-membership-one-auntie-to-another/

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

This episode was brought to you by McKinsey & Company. The Shortlist is McKinsey's weekly curated sampling of need to know stories about work, the economy, and culture: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throughout the pandemic, conversations about mental health have come to the forefront. And these conversations are shining a light on the lack of accessible mental health care for many of our neighbors. While individuals and organizations alike fight for legislative action, many have taken things into their own hands. NAMI-NYC, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City, is no exception.

In this episode, Epicenter’s Sam Zachar talks to NAMI-NYC’s Kimberly Blair. Kimberly has built a network of ambassadors… neighbors who have faced their own challenges related to mental health and want to take that perspective to help those in our community who need it most.

We'll also hear from one of our neighbors, Gina, who is a NAMI-NYC Ambassador. She's an advocate for mental health resources, education and racial equity in NYC schools, and medical aid in dying.

NAMI-NYC: https://www.naminycmetro.org/

NAMI-NYC Ambassador program: https://www.naminycmetro.org/get-involved/advocacy/

Baltic Street: https://balticstreet.org/

More on calling 988 instead of 911: https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Crisis-Intervention/988-Reimagining-Crisis-Response

Community Access: https://www.communityaccess.org/our-work/health-a-wellness/east-village-access

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://epicenter-nyc.com/the-case-for-epicenter-membership-one-auntie-to-another/

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

This episode was brought to you by McKinsey & Company. The Shortlist is McKinsey's weekly curated sampling of need to know stories about work, the economy, and culture: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 13th was the first day students across New York City public schools were all back in their classrooms, full time, since March 2020. But despite the precautions, the build up to going back to school was stressful. For parents, teachers, administrators, and kids. Especially considering the rise in cases we’ve seen throughout the summer. 

In this episode, Epicenter’s Sam Zachar talks with Nicole Perrino about the return to full-time in person learning and how it’s going. Nicole writes for our sister newsletter, the Unmuted. She’s also a PTA president, a mom of two, and the founder and editor of Bronxmama, a website for families looking to learn about local events.

Also, we're following up with Mosammad Khanom - a student at Stuyvesant High School. Mosammad explains what it’s like being back in-person full time.

Subscribe to The Unmuted: https://pico.link/theunmuted/login/enter-email?id=LoginWizard_theunmuted

Bronxmama: https://www.bronxmama.com/

Epicenter-NYC on Twitter: https://twitter.com/epicenter_nyc

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://epicenter-nyc.com/the-case-for-epicenter-membership-one-auntie-to-another/

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

This episode was brought to you by McKinsey & Company. The Shortlist is McKinsey's weekly curated sampling of need to know stories about work, the economy, and culture: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hundreds of thousands of undocumented workers living in New York City. Some lost jobs and a steady income without the safety net of unemployment or stimulus checks during the pandemic. This problem prompted New York City to do something that no city had ever done before - to set aside over $2 billion for excluded workers. 

But many of our neighbors have faced challenges applying, or simply don't trust that their information will be kept private. To help, organizations are coming together to host application assistance events.

Today we talk with two of our neighbors who have applied for funds, as well as others who helped make it possible.

Excluded Workers Fund: https://dol.ny.gov/EWF

Epicenter-NYC on Twitter: https://twitter.com/epicenter_nyc

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://epicenter-nyc.com/the-case-for-epicenter-membership-one-auntie-to-another/

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

This episode was brought to you by McKinsey & Company. The Shortlist is McKinsey's weekly curated sampling of need to know stories about work, the economy, and culture: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.