Whether through activities associated with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer or Wear Pink days, UFT members across New York City have been front and center during October to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease.

UFT volunteers, including public school parents and members, partnered with local restaurants and food banks to distribute 20,000 meals to hungry New Yorkers. The initiative included events in each of the five boroughs at which 1,000 meals per week were given away in each borough over a four-week period. 

More than 1,400 recently retired teachers attended one of two New Retiree Luncheons at the New York Hilton Midtown to celebrate the new chapter in their lives. The Nov. 22 reception was for members who retired from September 2021-August 2022. The Nov. 29 luncheon was for members who retired from September 2019-August 2021, a time when the COVID-19 pandemic prevented large gatherings.

Hundreds of school counselors gathered at UFT headquarters for their chapter’s 20th annual conference. Eager to connect and network with colleagues, counselors heard from UFT leaders and speakers in the field and participated in a day of professional development workshops.

More than 350 UFT members, family and friends gathered at a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown on March 15 for the UFT Asian Heritage Committee’s annual Lunar New Year banquet.

The UFT Muslim Educators Committee celebrated its first Iftar dinner on March 15 at UFT headquarters. Members broke their Ramadan fast, prayed, socialized and celebrated.

Nearly 700 paraprofessionals attended the UFT’s annual Paraprofessionals Festival & Awards Luncheon on March 23 at the New York Hilton in Midtown Manhattan. Fifteen paraprofessionals were honored for their outstanding service. Attendees participated in workshops to strengthen their practice and enjoyed a carnival featuring games and self-care. This year’s theme was “Superheroes of Education: Celebrating our Paraprofessional Powers.”

Keynote speaker Eric Litwin, the original author of the “Pete the Cat” series, told stories and sang songs as he encouraged the 400 members who attended the UFT’s 16th annual Early Childhood Conference at UFT headquarters to put their whole selves into reading and acting out books for young readers. Members attended hands-on workshops about creating literacy activities, activities for English language learners, fun math games and more.

UFT members across the city wore orange on June 3, 2022, for National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

UFT members across the city protested the mayor's harmful budget cuts to schools during a Day of Action on June 22, 2022.