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Dear AMPHS Family,
We hope you and your loved ones had a happy Thanksgiving and for those commencing Hanukkah festivities, Hanukkah sameach! The last few months have been a whirlwind at AMPHS as we have been working vigorously to address prominent issues that continue to affect our community, such as food and financial insecurity. From fielding excluded work fund-related requests to feeding our community through our biweekly food distributions, we persist in our efforts to close gaps within our community.
With the holidays among us, we hope you will consider AMPHS on Tuesday, November 30th to start off Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to generosity and giving back during the holiday season. You will have an opportunity to support our cause in making care more accessible for immigrant New Yorkers by making a donation here. We appreciate you for making this work possible. Check out more AMPHS, COVID-19, and resource updates below! Thank you for continuing to volunteer, donate, and spread the word.
AMPHS Updates
Food Distribution
AMPHS fresh food distributions have returned in full force! Since September, we have distributed food for over 3,000 families. In preparation for Thanksgiving, we secured over 500 hot meals, turkeys, and fresh food bags. A huge thanks to our volunteers, staff and partners Send Chinatown Love, The New York Immigration Coalition, Driscoll Foods, South Brooklyn Mutual Aid, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, NYS Senator Zellnor Myrie, CUFFH, Wing Hing Restaurant, and Shunfa Bakery for all the love and support! The next food distribution dates are 12/4 and 12/18. To sign up for biweekly food bags, make an appointment 2-3 days in advance on http://www.bit.ly/foodamphs or call (212) 256-9036.
Flu Shot Clinics
With the cold weather upon us, flu season is also closing in. To keep our community protected from an influenza infection, especially with COVID-19 being a continuous concern, AMPHS alongside Walgreens have mobilized to bring free flu shot events across Sunset Park. We have provided over 200 flu shots this season with a huge thanks to our host partners PS 516 and PS 169. Stay tuned for additional upcoming flu shot clinics!
Women’s Health Day
On November 20th, our team was out for AMPHS’ Women’s Health Day with free mammograms, women’s clothing, and fresh produce distribution for over 220 families. We hope to reach additional women in need of a preventative mammogram exam for our upcoming pop-up event on December 18th! For additional details or to schedule an appointment, visit www.bit.ly/mamappt or call 212-256-9036. We are grateful for our partners American-Italian Cancer Foundation, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Send Chinatown Love, Driscoll Foods, and South Brooklyn Mutual Aid for making this possible.
Excluded Workers Fund Applications
Speaking to the great need for financial support among our community members, the late summer months were especially busy at AMPHS leading up to and with the arrival of the Excluded Workers Fund application. The Excluded Workers Fund was the first in the nation $2.1 billion fund to support workers typically excluded from federal relief and who were affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. AMPHS was one of the partnering agencies across the City assisting community members with the application in Chinese and Spanish, directly assisting over 300 families in need of this relief. We held information sessions, workshops, tabling events, and offered one-on-one direct help through our hotline and in our offices.
“Road to Recovery: Building Healing and Solidarity in Sunset Park”
Our “Road to Recovery” event in Sunset Park took place on September 25th to pave a path to healing and solidarity for our communities after a difficult year of COVID-19 and anti-Asian hate crimes. Thanks to our co-organizers OCA-New York Chapter, Soar Over Hate, and Sunset Park Women in Action, along with our partners at Empire BlueCross BlueShield, Tzu Chi, Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, NYU Langone Health, Center for Family Life, Sunset Park Rocks, Mixteca, NY Lawyers, Womankind, United Seniors of Sunset Park, Target Margin Theater, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Haoran Xu, PopGym, Marcelo Siles, United Fujian Seniors, and Sunset Park Quintet, we were able to bring together, 1,200 community members!
We also distributed 300+ fresh grocery boxes/bags, 500 backpacks to families, and 700+ safety devices to elders. Our partners provided an array of fun activities for everyone including arts and crafts for children, Tai chi demonstrations, self-defense workshops, and other local performers. Of course, in the era of COVID-19 we could not forget the importance of vaccinations–69 COVID-19 vaccinations were provided as well.
Upcoming Events
Dec 1st, 1:00 PM | Preventing Pneumonia Workshop
Join AMPHS and registered nurse, Kenneth Hunt, on Wednesday, December 1st at 1pm for our workshop Pneumonia Prevention to discuss an overview of pneumonia, signs and symptoms, and how it can be prevented through proper hand hygiene and vaccination. This workshop will be provided in English and Mandarin via Zoom at www.bit.ly/pneuamphs (Meeting ID: 895 1078 7954, Passcode: pneu).
December 18th, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Mammogram Pop-up Event
The Academy of Medical and Public Health Services and the American-Italian Cancer Foundation will be hosting a mammogram bus on Saturday, December 18th, 2021 from 9:00am to 4:30pm outside of the AMPHS office (5306 3rd Avenue). If you qualify and are interested in receiving a free mammogram, please register at www.bit.ly/mamappt or call 212-256-9036.
COVID Updates
COVID-19 Vaccines for Children:
- The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now authorized and recommended for children ages 5 to 11 in NYC. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines and children, go to gov/covidvaccine and see this FAQ.
- Parents or guardians can call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319) with questions about the vaccine.
- Find a vaccine site near you at gov/vaccinefinder or by calling 877-VAX4-NYC
COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations for Older Adults: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all older Americans receive the COVID-19 vaccine along with the flu vaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccine & Flu Shot: You can receive the flu vaccine at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine.
In-Home Vaccination Program: In-home vaccinations are available. Request in-home vaccination by filling out this form or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., 7 days a week.
When to get a COVID-19 diagnostic test:
- Everyone should get tested for COVID-19 right away if they have COVID-19 symptoms, and five days after being exposed to someone with COVID-19.
- It is also a good idea to get tested before and after travel or attending a large gathering.
- People who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should also consider periodic testing if they have frequent in-person interactions with others at work or socially.
Third Doses & Boosters: Because of the rise of what might be a more contagious Omicron variant, the CDC recommends that adults 18 and older should get a booster shot six months after the second dose of Pfizer/BioNTech’s or Moderna’s vaccine or two months after the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. For the difference between a third shot and booster shot, see the graphic below.
AMPHS News 