New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced the launch of “Benefits on Your Block,” a summer-long initiative designed to bring city services directly into neighborhoods across the five boroughs.
City Services Brought Directly Into Neighborhoods
Led by Chief Engagement Officer Crystal Price and involving dozens of city agencies, the initiative will include quality-of-life walk-throughs to address resident concerns, benefits information sessions at Older Adult Centers, and pop-up resource stations providing job training, small business assistance, and other services. As part of the effort, the Adams administration will also increase its presence at existing summer events, such as New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Family Days, Summer Streets, and other public gatherings. The goal is to give New Yorkers opportunities to ask questions about city services and receive immediate help in multiple locations throughout the city. “Benefits on Your Block” builds upon the mayor’s broader “We Outside Summer” initiative, which encompasses various announcements, events, investments, and programming across the city to promote a safe and enjoyable summer for residents.
Twelve Resource Fairs Planned Across the City
The program will feature 12 Saturday resource fairs, beginning Saturday, July 12, in Brownsville, Brooklyn. These fairs, led by the city’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) in partnership with the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS), will allow New Yorkers to enroll in city-run and city-administered benefits with assistance from on-site specialists. Services available will include public assistance programs, health care enrollment, tenant support, and employment resources. To promote the events and ensure residents are prepared with necessary documentation, PEU outreach teams will engage in community outreach activities such as peer-to-peer texting, door-to-door canvassing, posting flyers, and distributing informational materials.
Officials Emphasize Community Connection and Support
Credit: Ed Reed / Mayoral Photography Office Benefit on Your Block
“We’re bringing government straight to the block, and connecting New Yorkers to the resources they need,” said Mayor Adams. “‘Benefits on Your Block’ will help New Yorkers stay safe, manage the rising cost of living, and access real opportunity as they connect to services through dozens of city agencies. This effort builds on the work our administration has delivered to make it easier for New Yorkers to access their benefits, from free broadband for NYCHA residents to helping relieve medical debt to receiving hundreds of millions in tax relief and more, this is how we make New York City safer, more affordable, and the best place to live and raise a family.” “The ‘Benefits on Your Block’ initiative will allow us to show up where it matters and connect New Yorkers to invaluable resources and information on the spot,” said Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Administration Camille Joseph Varlack. “This administration has been committed to leveraging innovative tools to establish a tangible presence in underserved communities and proactively address the challenges our neighbors face. Our approach consistently prioritizes community-led initiatives because we recognize that no one better understands the issues of a neighborhood than its residents. We will use every tool at our disposal to ensure New Yorkers have access to the vital programs they need.”
Language Access and Convenience Prioritized
Multilingual staff and translated materials will be available at events to ensure that language does not prevent New Yorkers from accessing services. The initiative aims to centralize multiple services in one place, making it easier for residents to learn about and apply for benefits in their own neighborhoods
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