On Friday, January 15, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham brought together a gathering of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CACCI), elected officials, representatives from the Governor’s and Mayor’s offices, community organizations, the NYPD and other partners to discuss immediate and long-term strategies to address the ongoing earthquake crisis in Haiti. Among the elected officials attending the session were City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and City Council Members Dr. Mathieu Eugene, Jumaane Williams, Letitia James and Steve Levin.

The Borough President’s Office has also been working with the Social Security Administration and Regional Commissioner Bea Disman in coordinating outreach to the Haitian community in Brooklyn and New York to determine how Social Security can assist people in Haiti who may be eligible for benefits. This would apply to those who have worked in the United States for at least ten years, have attained lawful work status here and are over a certain age or have been disabled or have passed away. They—and perhaps their dependents or, in the event of death, a surviving spouse, children and even parents—may be eligible.

Speaker Quinn announced that the 300,000 employees of the City of New York will be able to set aside part of their paychecks directly to aid in the Haitian disaster relief efforts. The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City will ensure contributions through the program are directed to reputable organizations. The payroll deduction program will begin with paychecks and direct deposits on February 5, 2010. All City employees who wish to participate can elect to donate a tax-deductable amount of money from each paycheck over a period of two months spread over four pay periods.