Dear parents, grandparents and education activists,

Don't forget to join us at the UFT special education parent committee meeting next Wednesday, March 23 in Brooklyn. We'll discuss safety issues, busing and more. Refreshments will be served, and children are welcome.

• Date: Wednesday, March 23
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: UFT Brooklyn borough office at 335 Adams St. Directions »

RSVP by emailing bzohar@uft.org or fstreich@uft.org. See the flier »

Enjoy more events, resources and news below.

Sincerely,

Betty Zohar
UFT Parent-Community Liaison

Upcoming events

• Wednesday, March 16: The New York City Office of Library Services will hold an information session for aspiring librarians from 5 to 7 p.m. in the 7th floor conference room at 333 7th Ave. in Manhattan. Register online now »

• Saturday, March 19: The Brooklyn Cinderella Project will hold a prom dress drive from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 95 South Lounge, 778 Franklin Ave. in Brooklyn. Please drop by to donate gently used and new gowns, formal dresses, shoes and accessories. See the event listing »
  
  The dresses will be distributed to high school girls at the 6th annual Brooklyn Cinderella Project event on April 16 in Brooklyn. More details about this event will be forthcoming. The Cinderella Project connects young women with successful role models, information and resources while distributing free prom dresses. To volunteer with the Cinderella Project, you can email Gwendolyn Robinson at gwr9003@gmail.com. To get more details about the April 16 event as they become available, like the Cinderella Project Facebook page »

• Tuesday, March 29: Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo will present a Women's History Month conference from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St. There will be panel discussions, workshops, networking and food. For more information and to RSVP, see the event listing »

• Thursday, March 31: There will be free breast cancer screenings at a mobile clinic at 250 Kingston Ave. in Brooklyn from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Women over the age of 40 who are New York City residents and haven't had a mammogram in the past year are welcome to make an appointment for a mammogram or clinical breast exam at no cost. To make an appointment, call 718-619-4248. For more details, see the event listing »

• Saturday, April 9: The Junior League of Brooklyn and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity invite 8th–12th grade students to receive free prom attire at the annual day of beauty from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at PS 161, 330 Crown St. in Brooklyn. There will be a self-confidence panel and a giveaway of suits and dresses. Preregistration is required. RSVP online now »

• Saturday, April 23: There will be a citywide baby shower at the Brownsville Recreation Center, 1555 Linden Blvd. in Brooklyn from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. New and expecting parents are invited to enjoy food, entertainment, activities and information about New York City resources for parents of babies. RSVP online now »

News and resources

• Apply for a grant from the Build a Better School Contest: The Municipal Credit Union, the UFT and other partners are accepting video entries for our third annual Build a Better School Contest. Public school students are invited to submit a three-minute video that explains why their school is in need and what project they would undertake to make it better. The winning school will receive a $10,000 grant and other prizes. For more details, see the flier »

• East New York community calls for affordable housing and resources, not homeless shelters: East New York community members, led by Assemblyman Charles Barron, held a press conference this month in front of the Brooklyn Developmental Center in East New York to call for affordable housing, a community center, daycare or other community-enriching projects instead of more homeless shelters. Read the story in the Amsterdam News »

• Free financial counseling near you: The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs invites you to visit one of eight Financial Empowerment Centers in Brooklyn to get help with handling debt collectors, improving your credit, creating a budget, opening a bank account and more. Counseling is free, confidential and available in multiple languages. To make an appointment, call 311. See the flier in English and Spanish »

• Free e-books for low-income children: Adults working in libraries, schools, preschools, community after-school programs and other programs that serve low-income children can register children for the Open eBooks app, which offers thousands of best-selling books to low-income children to read for free. Find out more »