Queens, NY- On Thursday, May 30th, Melinda Katz, Democrat for Queens Borough President toured the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula (JCCRP). Melinda met with Nathan Krasnovsky, Executive Director of the JCCRP and Jonathan Dembitzer Vice President of the JCCRP, where she received a full tour of the premises and was introduced to all the services the JCCRP has to offer.

“The work that the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula (JCCRP) in Far Rockaway has done after Superstorm Sandy has been tremendous. I came to Far Rockaway right after Sandy devastated our shores and over six months later I again had the opportunity to tour Far Rockaway and have seen the resilient nature of Far Rockaway residents. Although there is still much to be done, the help that JCCRP has provided to the diverse community of working f amilies, seniors and small businesses has been quintessential to the rebuilding efforts,” said Melinda Katz.

As a frontline provider for individuals in the Rockaways, the JCCRP provides a variety of services to assist clients with all of their needs. Services include:. Kosher Food Pantry: With today’s rising costs, making ends meet can be more than a little challenging, particularly when it comes to grocery shopping as the price of food continues to increase. Rising food costs coupled with the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy has created an increase in clients coming to the pantry to receive assistance.

To meet these increased needs, the JCCRP’s food pantry provides 400 food packages a month to residents of the community. Packages consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, dry and canned goods, rice, beans, dried and shelf stable milk, and occasionally chicken and fish. Food Stamps: The JCCRP runs 2 food stamp programs, the Paperless Office System ( POS) enrollment and the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP). POS: Instead of clients having to wait at HRA’s offices for several hours, the JCCRP’s food stamp enroller conveniently schedules appointments to meet one-on-one with clients and assist with applications that they then submit electronically to HRA. Additionally, we have our own HRA liaison to mediate any issues that may arise for the client.

NOEP: The goals of the NOEP are to increase awareness and participation in the underutilized food stamp program, Summer Food Service Program, and School Breakfast Program in New York State. The NOEP Coordinator educates the community about the issue of hunger, and the benefits of these three programs to working families, seniors, and children. As such, JCCRP’s NOEP coordinator connects Rockaway’s low-income families to resources that can help them maintain proper nutrition, avoid hunger, and ensure preventative health. The coordinator strategizes o utreach campaigns including television, radio, and newspaper ads, as well as flyers, brochures, and posters to educate local residents on the availability of nutrition assistance programs in the Rockaway Peninsula.

Medical Insurance Enrollment: Our enroller guides clients through the process of submitting the necessary paperwork for new applications and re-certifications for Medicaid and CHP/FHP enrollment, as well as provides advice and advocates on clients’ behalves. Clients can schedule appointments that are convenient for them, and avoid going to Medicaid offices and waiting on hour-long lines to fill out their applications. At the JCCRP, our enroller meets one-on-one to fill out the required paperwork together with clients and to answer any questions or concerns they may have.

Housing and landlord/tenant mediation: The JCCRP is a Housing Preservation Company that under the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewals’ Neighborhood Preservation Program p erforms housing and community renewal activities in the eastern portion of the Rockaway Peninsula. The JCCRP organizes home buyer counseling workshops, renders tenant counseling, landlord/tenant mediation, and community rehabilitation and renewal initiatives for those in need. Through the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development consultant, we inspect neighborhood homes for violations and assist landlords and homeowners in correcting them. The JCCRP also assists clients in applying for HPD subsidized home improvement loans.

Legal assistance: The JCCRP has a longstanding partnership with NYLAG who assists clients by providing free legal advice and representation on a variety of matters. Due to Hurricane Sandy, a NYLAG attorney has been stationed at the JCCRP once a week to assist with claims resulting from the storm including FEMA denials, issues with their benefits, etc. Crisis intervention: Our crisis intervention team provides grants to clients to hel p pay for rental arrears, first month’s rent of a new apartment, moving costs for seniors, beds, utility shut-off and other housing emergency needs. Additionally, we provide summer camp scholarships to families in need so that their children can enjoy their summers in a healthy and relaxing environment that will rejuvenate them for the upcoming school year. Mental Health Counseling and Career Counseling: Our on-site social workers provide counseling to all those who seek assistance, including recent Sandy victims. Benefits and Entitlements (other than medical and SNAP): The JCCRP provides additional information, referral and assistance with other government benefits including: Social Security, SSI, SCRIE, HEAP and Section 8 Housing.

Melinda was born and raised in Forest Hills, she is a graduate of the city’s public school system. Melinda also graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and received her juris doctorate from St. John’s School of Law. Melinda Katz has been a dedicated public servant for nearly 20 years, serving as an Assembly Member, the Director of Community Boards, and a City Council Member. As a City Council Member, she rose to Chair the influential Land Use Committee. Under her leadership, the committee secured private-sector partnerships that lead to the creation of over 15,000 units of affordable housing. Melinda Katz is running for Queens Borough President, where she hopes to continue her dedicated public service.

(YWN Desk – NYC)