IMPORTANT / THIS WEEK:

• COVID-19 UPDATES: Cases are rising in Revere & the state.
  • Jan 16, 2022: CDC recommends that everyone 5 years and older get their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines and receive a booster dose when eligible. Read more about it here. 
• ATTN Small Business Owners! 
  • A 16-week program to help early-stage women, people of color, and immigrant entrepreneurs build & sustain their food-related businesses – application here.
    • DEADLINE TO APPLY: JAN 28
• Revere Senior Center Reopening Feb 1st
  • Location:  25 Winthrop Ave, Revere
  • Events coming up / January update
• Free 2021 Tax Preparation
  • Tax prep. assistance in English & Spanish. Income restrictions apply.
    • More info here / Flyers here
• FREE AT-HOME COVID TESTS AVAILABLE
  • Find out how to order them HERE!
  • (info in English, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese)

City / ROTM Updates 

• COVID-19 PCR Testing Option
  • Appointment only: Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays @ 12 – 4 PM
  • For city employees / Revere residents ONLY — details here.
  • NEW: Order free at-home tests! 
• Wednesday Night Food Pantry 6:15 – 8 PM
  • Location: 200 Winthrop Ave, Revere
  • OPEN TO ALL, translated flyer here.
• Food for Free Thursdays  
  • every Thursday, 3 – 6 PM (while supplies last)
  • Location: 200 Winthrop Ave, Revere
  • NOTE: Must meet Federal 2021 Household Income Guidelines.
• Revere Farmers Market 2022
  • Join us every Friday from June 3 – Oct 28!
  • Want to become a vendor? More info here.

Other City Departments 

• PARKS & REC – Main page
  • Updates to come!
• Revere Public Library Resources & Events
  • Main webpage here.
• Revere Public Schools
  • Main webpage here.
  • Updated COVID-19 Protocols
    • Find info here (English, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese)

COVID-19 Resources 

• City Updates / Vaccination & Testing info
• How To Use COVID-19 Self – Test Kits
• COVID-19 Booster FAQ
  • Info here in English, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese.
• Food Resource Hotline – Translated flyers here.
• SNAP Food Assistance Benefits
  • What is SNAP? Translated info here.
  • For help with SNAP applications, email Britney at bsao@revere.org
• Housing / Workforce Development:
  • NEW: Get free help finding a job!
    • Details here in English & Spanish.
  • Housing Assistance Resources found here.
  • Low Income Landlords Financial/Legal Assistance here.
  • Mortgage Assistance Application here.
  • Want to volunteer?  Click here!
  •  Open jobs / work opportunities here.
• VaxAbilities offers disability-friendly vaccination events – please share!

Learning Share 

• New Business: Rincon Limeno on Broadway Holds Grand Opening​​​​​​​
• Arrigo Announces Expanded Accessibility to City Hall Constituent Services
• Free N95 masks are arriving at pharmacies & grocery stores: here’s how to get yours!
• Health Centers are Improving COVID-19 Vaccine Equity among POC

Community Happenings

• ESOL Classes for Adults
  • English language classes, Feb 28 – May 12
  • Classes will be online via Zoom & in-person! Details here.
• FREE Citizenship Classes
  • Open to any lawful permanent resident who wants to become a US citizen.
  • Classes will be online via Zoom, Feb 14 – April 4, details here.
• Conversational Spanish Classes 
  • Virtual classes via Zoom, Feb 7 – April 6
  • Levels 1 & 2 available: details & register here.
• ATTN Small Businesses – Grant Program
  • Microenterprises eligible: applications due by Feb 8
  • Application and details here.
• SNAP Awareness Week!
  • SNAP helps low income families and individuals access healthy and culturally appropriate food. See if you qualify for food assistance benefits here & find flyers for social media here.
• Neighborhood Pods / Ward Groups 
  • Are you interested in getting to know your neighbors?
  • Want to get connected to local events & resources?
  • Join on Facebook!

The FCC released a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that establishes rules for the Affordable Connectivity Program.  Created by the Infrastructure Jobs and Investment Act, the program provides $14.2B toward the reduction of monthly broadband costs for qualifying households.  The ACP will provide qualifying households a discount of up to $30 from a participating provider’s bill. Some participating providers are offering an additional benefit of up to a $100 discount off the purchase of computers or tablets if the consumer pays more than $10 but less than $50 towards the purchase of the device.

Households qualify for the ACP through participation in a number of public benefit programs or having a household income of up to 200% below the Federal poverty guidelines.

The ACP replaced the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program, on December 31, 2021.

“The past two years have made totally clear that broadband is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. The response to the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, with over nine million households enrolled in less than eight months, proved what many of us knew to be true: there are simply too many people across the country struggling to pay for high-speed internet service,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

The Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on a pilot program to ensure that households that rely on Federal Public Housing Assistance receive direct outreach about the ACP.  It also seeks comment on establishing a new grant program for ACP outreach partners.

ACP RESOURCES:

• FCC Consumer Information page (Link)
• Request a speaker for your local event (Link)
• Apply at the Universal Service Administrative Company’s website (Link)
• Check on the Status of your application or any other application questions (Link)

VITA is back!

It’s tax season again and CONNECT is offering free 2021 tax preparation! Our team of certified tax preparers is here to support income eligible households through our accessible and bilingual (Spanish and English) tax preparation process. Please leave a message on our hotline at 617-712-3487 (Ext 704 for English or 710 for Spanish) and one of our dedicated staff members will return your call to schedule an appointment with you.

¡VITA está de vuelta!