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Neighborhood Notes: Sign Up for Summer Youth Employment

Free GED Class
SUNY Bronx Educational Opportunity Center, 1666 Bathgate Ave. (between 172nd and 173rd streets), offers tuition-free class for those 18 and over interested in obtaining their GED diploma. Classes begin on April 16. For more detailed information, requirements, and to register (required), call (718) 530-7000.

Summer Youth Employment
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides New York City youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with paid summer employment for up to six weeks in July and August. Participants work in entry-level jobs in a variety of industries including arts and recreation, educational services, financial services, and more. To apply, go to https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dycd/services/jobs-internships/summer-youth-employment-program-syep.page. Enrollment dates are from April to June.

Producer Training
Producer training workshops are available to Bronxites at BronxNet Television starting April 9. Topics include field production, audio recording, directing and more. Participants who complete the program will gain access to professional studios and equipment free of charge. To register, email training@bronxnet.org.

Pre-K Registration
Parents can register their children born in 2014 for free, full day pre-kindergarten classes at Community Board 7’s office, 229-A E. 204th St., on March 29 from 1 to 4:30 p.m.. For more information, call Jimmy Rivera at (212) 637-8021 or email jrivera118@schools.nyc.gov.

Excelsior Scholarship
Applications for the Excelsior Scholarship are now open for new applicants pursuing a college degree at city- or state-funded colleges/universities for the 2018-19 academic year. Eligible candidates must be New York State residents, take 30 credits per year (including summer and winter sessions), a family whose annual household income is below $110,000, and be on track to graduate on time with an associate’s degree in two years or a bachelor’s degree in four years. Applications will be accepted through July 23. For more information, and to apply, go to https://www.hesc.ny.gov/excelsior/.

GEDs and Paid Internships

Mosholu Montefiore Community Center offers the following for young adults ages 18 to 24: free classes and tutoring sessions to prepare for the exam to get their GED (orientation/registration sessions are held every Thursday at 3512 DeKalb Ave.); and 14-week paid internship to those who are not employed or enrolled in school, to receive training and workshops. For more information or to make an appointment, call Jessica Acevedo or Perlita Mendez at (718) 652-0282.

Free Tax Filing Assistance
Free tax filing is available for families whose total income is $54,000 or less or individuals who make $30,000 or less at the following locations: Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, 3450 DeKalb Ave. (appt: Dewayne Lee at (718) 882-4000 ext. 209 or email DLee@mmcc.org); and SUNY Bronx Educational Opportunity Center, 1666 Bathgate Ave. (appt: (718) 530-7019). Applicants must bring a W2 and/or 1099 form or any other proof showing income, government-issued ID, social security card or ITIN number for self, spouse and dependents, a 1095 health form or health insurance statements and bank account information for those looking to have their tax refund direct deposited. Appointments are required.

Tax Help
Free tax preparation services are available at University Neighborhood Housing Program, 2715 Bainbridge Ave., with help from students from Manhattan College’s O’Malley School of Business. The service is only available for qualified families with an income of $54,000 or less and individuals with a gross income below $30,000. Services are available, by appointment only, as follows: Wednesdays from 1 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (718) 933-2539.

Scholarship Program
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade is accepting applications for its 2018 National Scholarship Program. The program will award a $2,000 scholarship that will go towards college education. Applicants must be of Puerto Rican descent, have a 3.0 or higher grade point average, a high school senior or freshman through junior at a two- or four-year college/university, and have a proven track record of volunteer work or community service. Previous scholarship winners are eligible to apply. The deadline is March 30. For more detailed information or to apply, go to www.nprdpinc.org. 

Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.

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