The Serrano Report, Vol. IX, #19

On Capitol Hill

Serrano Meets with Students from the Bronx

On Wednesday, Congressman Serrano met with two groups of students from the Bronx to talk about how Congress functions and about national and local issues of interest to the students. "It is always a joy to meet with young people from the Bronx," said Serrano. "I am glad that they were able to come down to Washington and learn more about our government as they get ready to go to college and continue their studies."

Serrano first met with students from Cardinal Hayes High School:

And later in the day he met with students from the Bronx Institute at Lehman College's GEAR-UP Program:

In the Bronx

Serrano Cuts Ribbon at Opening for New Housing for Veterans

Recently Congressman Serrano joined NYC Council Member Joel Rivera at a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the Jericho Project's Kingsbridge Terrace supportive housing for formerly homeless veterans. Kingsbridge Terrace is a new 75 unit building that includes a computer lab, recreational space, and supportive services for the veterans. "This is one of the many ways we can show we care, and show respect to our veterans who have done so much for our country," said Congressman Serrano. "We have asked so much of our service members in recent years. It is important that we fully support them when they return home."

Serrano cutting the ribbon at the Kingsbridge Terrace complex

Serrano Participates in Opening of New Business and Career Center

Congressman Serrano helped cut the ribbon at the opening of a 30,000-square-foot facility on Fordham Road that combines NYC Business Solutions services for businesses and Workforce1 Career Center services for job seekers at a single location. Also participating in the ribbon-cutting were Mayor Michael Bloomberg, NYC Department of Small Business Services' Commissioner Robert W. Walsh, NYS Assembly Member José Rivera, NYC Council Member Joel Rivera, and Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene.

The new facility is located on the busy commercial corridor of 400 East Fordham Road and Webster Avenue. “Putting these two centers under one roof and opening additional satellite locations in the Bronx is a great strategy for creating and filling jobs," said Serrano. "This is exactly the kind of approach that the Bronx needs.”

The center will partner with Fordham University’s Center for Entrepreneurship to help develop and provide curriculum to better serve entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Bronx, and help them start, operate and expand. In addition to this central site two additional Workforce1 Expansion Centers opened in the Bronx, one at the New York Public Library’s Francis Martin branch and the other at Hostos Community College.

Serrano speaking during the event

Serrano Attends Housing Ribbon Cutting

Congressman Serrano attended the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of Phipps Houses' Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. Apartments and Early Head Start Center. The new building is named after Dr. Brown who was one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, a prominent educator and a civil rights leader. The Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. Apartments will provide 278 units of affordable housing and an Early Head Start Center for 68 low-income families.

Serrano and Brown (second from right) at the opening

Serrano Attends BID Meeting

Congressman Serrano recently addressed the Bronx Business Leaders and the Board of Directors at the Southern Boulevard Business Improvement District Annual Meeting. The Southern Boulevard Business Improvement District (BID) is the third-largest BID in Bronx. 

"I remember walking the streets of Southern Boulevard when it was a premier shopping center within the area," said Congressman Serrano. "The community has changed but the need for locally-available, high-quality merchandise remains the same."

He applauded the merchants, property owners, and the BID's Executive Director, Medina Sadiq, for their work and reminded them that small stores are the cornerstone of revitalization within our neighborhoods, and help increase employment and improve recovery in our community.

Serrano at the meeting

Grant

Health Research Grant

Deadline: January 15, 2013

The National Institutes of Health recently announced the availability of grant funding to form regional coalitions of academic institutions, community groups, service providers, and government agencies to focus on minority health and health disparities. The purpose of the program is to support coordinate research and implementation across disciplines to avoid new techniques from being limited in their scope. Academic, business, and non-profit organizations, as well as collaborations among these groups, are encouraged to apply.

Please visit the National Institutes of Health's website for more information.

For more information about other federal grants please visit grants.gov.