Social Security Assistance

Representatives from the Social Security Administration will be answering questions and concerns about Social Security at Congressman Eliot Engel’s Bronx office, 3655 Johnson Ave., on Wednesday, July 30.  To make an appointment, call Richard Fedderman at (718) 769-9700.

Banking Fair

The Northwest Bronx Banking Fair, hosted by the University Neighborhood Housing Program, will offer a chance to compare accounts and products and speak directly with representatives from banks and credit unions in the community along with other tips on saving money.  Dinner, A/C and childcare will be provided.  The dinner will be held on Thursday July 31 at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Refuge Parish Center, 290 E. 196th Street, between Bainbridge and Briggs Avenues.  The program begins at 6:30 p.m.  Space is limited.  For reservations, call (718) 935-2539 by July 29.

Housing Assistance Program

Community Board 7 and the West Bronx Housing and Neighborhood Resource Center are offering housing counseling services, every third Tuesday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., through September. For more information call (718) 933-5650.

Free Computer Tutoring

Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC) is offering free computer tutorials for anyone interested. Lessons will cover topics ranging from basic computer skills to Internet navigation. Lessons are offered Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. MPC is located at 3400 Reservoir Oval East. For an appointment, call Brenda Lucio or Jennifer Mitchell at (718) 324-4461.

Bronx Green Party Convention

The Bronx County Green Party Convention and Summer Festival will take place on Sunday, July 13. Festival activities open to the community will begin at noon on the grounds of the Bronx Greens/Bronx County Green Party Offices, 286 Reservoir Place, near the corner of Perry Ave. and East Gun Hill Road. The Party’s inaugural meeting and first annual convention, open to enrolled Green Party members will begin at 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.bronx-greens.org or call the Bronx Greens office at (718) 652-2110.

MetroCard Bus/Van Coming

MetroCard buses will be making stops in the west Bronx during July. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may apply for the Reduced Fare MetroCard. Senior citizens must present valid photo I.D. proving that they are at least 65 years old, and persons with disabilities must present a U.S. Medicare Card and valid photo I.D. The buses will be at Fordham Road and the Grand Concourse on Friday, July 11 and Friday, July 25, from noon to 2 p.m.; at Scott Towers at 3400 Paul Ave. on Monday, July 28 from 1 to 3 p.m.; and at Van Cortlandt Village at 3880 Sedgwick Ave., on Friday, June 27, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. For more information, call (212) METROCARD.

Emergency Responder Training

Community Board 7 is recruiting residents to become part of the NYC Office of Emergency Management Community Response Team. Members receive training in fire safety, light search and rescue, terrorism awareness, disaster medical operations and mental health education. To apply or for more information, call (718) 933-5650.

Blood Donor Shortage

The New York Blood Center has recently experienced a shortage and is seeking blood donors. To schedule an appointment at any of the New York Blood Center locations in the Bronx and Hudson Valley visit www.nybloodcenter.org, or call (800) 933-BLOOD (2566).

Farmer’s Market

The North Central Bronx Hospital and Harvest Home Farmer’s Market, Inc. are opening a new farmer’s market on the east side of the park below the Moshulu Parkway Station on the #4 line. The market will operate every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., from July 9 through mid-November. Vendors will feature fresh produce from regional farmers, as well as baked goods and specialty items. For more information, call Mike Heller at (718) 918-3826.

Prenatal Care Assistance Program

The Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP) is now available for pregnant Bronx women and teens who meet income guidelines. The program, offered by the Montefiore Medical Center and the State Department of Health, provides medical care during pregnancy, delivery, and for at least two months after delivery. The program is available at the Family Health Center (FHC). 360 E. 193rd St.; Comprehensive Health Care Center (CHCC), 305 E. 161st St.; and Comprehensive Family Care Center (CFCC), 1621 Eastchester Rd. For more information, call (718) 933-2400, (718) 579-2500, or (718) 405-8040.

Youth Tennis Program

The New York Junior Tennis League’s free annual summer youth program continues for children and teenagers aged 6 to 18. All children are welcome, and tennis rackets and balls will be provided. The Program is held Monday through Friday, (through August 22) at Crotona Park, East 173rd Street and Crotona Avenue, Co-op City Youth Tennis Center (Donizetti Place, near MS 181) and Kennedy High School, 99 Terrace View Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon. The program will also be held at the Bronx International Youth Tennis Center, 754 Thieriot Ave. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.nyjtl.org, or call (347) 417-8157.

Bedford Park Church Lawn Party

The Bedford Park Congregational Church, located at the corner of 201st Street and Bainbridge Avenue, will host a Lawn Party on Sunday, August 10th, 2008, at 1 p.m.  All are invited for food, raffles, fun and fellowship. Admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children. For more information, contact Reverend Christopher Ponnuraj at (718) 367-8996.

Fresh Air Camps Registration

The Fresh Air Fund is registering inner-city children ages 6 to 12 from low-income communities a chance to experience the country at one of five Fresh Air camps or with a volunteer host family. For a referral to a participating agency or for more information about the program, call (212) 897-8900 or (800) 367-0003, or visit www.freshair.org.

Safety and Preparedness Classes

The American Red Cross in Greater New York will offer classes in CPR and the use of AED.  Three sessions will meet in August: Adult, on Friday August 8 from 1 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, August 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $65 online registration.  Adult with CPR for Child/Infant, on Thursday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., $90 registration online.  Child and CPR – Infant, on Friday August 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $75 online registration.

Couples Needed for Research

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine is looking for healthy, monogamous couples of at least six months to participate in a research study in preventing sexually transmitted infections. Males will have three visits, females on hormonal contraception will have four visits; there will be monetary reimbursement. For more information, call Julie at (718) 430-3253.

Research Patients Needed

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center are looking for women ages 18 to 50 with a vaginal herpes blister or sore to undergo a gynecologic exam for a research study. A free, confidential screening will determine eligibility. Participants need to attend 3 visits in 2 weeks, and monetary reimbursement will be given for each visit. For more information, contact Julie at (718) 430-3253, or Tara at (718) 430-3061 or e-mail Microbicide@aecom.yu.edu.

 

English, Civics and Computer Classes

Mosholu Montefiore Community Center offers free English as a Second Language classes (ESL), and civics and computer classes Monday through Saturdays. To apply, visit the Center at 3450 DeKalb Ave. (corner of Gun Hill Road). For more information, call (718) 882-4000, ext. 216.

Summer Camps at Community Center

The Mosholu Montefiore Community Center is offering summer sports day camps. The City Sports Camp teaches skills in baseball, soccer, field hockey, volleyball, kickball, flag football. Boys and girls entering 3rd through 8th grades in September can sign up for a 2-week session, a 4-week session, or a 6-week session. Karate Camp, taught by Luis Morales, head Sensei at the Center, takes place on Mondays through Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 to 5 p.m. for boys and girls entering 1st through 8th grades. For more information and free brochures, call the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center at (718) 882-4000. Swim Camp for youth ages 5 to 16 takes place at Fordham University on Monday through Thursday mornings. For more information, call Fordham’s head swim coach Steve Plotsklan at (718) 817-4256.

Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration

Registration for Pre-K and kindergarten at PS/MS 20 is currently underway. To pick up an application for Pre-K or to register for kindergarten, go to the school’s main office from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. For more information and a list of kindergarten registration requirements, call Mrs. Ryan in the main office at (718) 515-9370.

Foster Parents Urgently Needed

The Foster Care Network urgently needs adults who want to become foster parents for the hundreds of area children who need a home. For more information, call (800) 454-3727 ext. 110.

ESL and GED Classes

Fordham Manor Reformed Church is offering free ESL and GED classes at its building on 2705 Reservoir Ave. The ESL classes will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. GED classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The ESL class requires a 15-minute test for enrollment. A longer three-hour test is necessary to take part in the GED class. For more information, call (718) 796-4980 ext. 16.

Free GED and Computer Classes

The State University of New York’s North Bronx Career Center located off of Eastchester Road is offering free day and evening classes for the GED and Business Office Technology to prepare for the GED exam or to learn basic to advanced skills in Windows XO, Vista, Word, Excel, and Power Point. Job readiness training is also available. All students must meet state income and academic guidelines. For more information, call (718) 547-1001.

GED Program for Out of School Youth

The New Options Program and Young Adult Internship Program are offering General Equivalency Diploma classes to 16-21-year-olds who are working and no longer in school. The program also offers vocational job training and full placements with stipends.

The program takes place at the Educational Counseling Center, 3512 DeKalb Ave. For more information, call (718) 652-0282.

Housing and Job Help

National Student Partnerships provides free help with job searches, housing searches, education, job training, resume-writing, childcare and legal services.  There are no eligibility requirements. NSP is located at 2715 Bainbridge Ave. at East 196th Street. Call (718) 733-3897 to set up an appointment. You do not need to be a student to obtain services. Se habla espanol.

 

Foreign Exchange Students Need Hosts

The Pacific Intercultural Exchange is seeking host families for foreign high school students who are arriving soon. Prospective host families can review student applications and select the perfect match. Interested parties should contact the program immediately. Call toll-free, (866) 546-1402.

AFS, the leading international high school student exchange program, also needs local families to host high school students for an academic year or six months. Students arrive in August. AFS is also looking for volunteer liaisons to work locally with families and their hosted students. Anyone interested in hosting or volunteering should visit www.afs.org/usa/hostfamily or call 1-800-AFS-INFO.

FTC Materials Available

The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has Federal Trade Commission (FTC) materials on credit acquisition and protection available to the public or for groups. To obtain copies of any of these materials, call Mr. Kathryn Speller at (718) 365-0910, ext. 133. Materials may be picked up at the CAB office, 2054 Morris Ave., Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call to schedule a pick-up. Materials may also be sent by mail upon request. For more information, visit www.cabny.org, or call (718) 365-0910 ext. 122.

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group

The Alzheimer’s Association’s New York City chapter provides a support group for Spanish and English speaking caregivers who have relatives with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia in Norwood. The support group meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 5 to 6:15 p.m. For exact location or more information, call Mark Goodwin at (718) 920- 7377.

Free Programs for Cancer Patients

The Albert Einstein Cancer Center is offering two free research programs for patients with cancer. The Yoga-Based Cancer Rehabilitation Program includes 12 weeks of yoga classes as part of a research study to see if yoga can help patients with breast, lung and colorectal cancer. The Mind-Body Cancer Program includes eight weeks of mind-body groups as a part of a research study for patients with most types of cancer. Some restrictions may apply and both programs are taking place in the Bronx. For more information or to find out if you are eligible, call (718)-430-2380.

Food Drive

The Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture is seeking canned food donations to benefit the Kingsbridge-Riverdale-Marble Hill Food and Hunger Project, Inc. Please leave only non-perishable food donations at the Society, 4450 Fieldston Road, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, call (718) 548-4445.

Red Cross Classes

The American Red Cross in Greater New York is offering CPR and AED (Automated External defibrillator) classes, held in the Bronx at 2082 White Plains Road. Adult CPR/AED classes will be held on Friday, August 8th from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday, August 23rd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adult with CPR for Child/Infant classes will be held on Thursday, August 14th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Infant CPR classes will be held on Friday, August 22nd. Class prices range from $65 to $95. For more information and to register, call 1-800-514-5103, or visit www.nyredcross.org.