State bill hopes to increase internet access to shelters
BY JASON COHEN
New York City, the biggest
city with the highest
homeless population
in the U.S., spent an astronomical
$3.5 billion on
homeless shelters from
2014-2020. Yet, with all
the fi nancial investment,
internet access in many
shelters remains non-existent.
State Sen. Alessandra
Biaggi has taken notice,
and on Nov. 30 the progressive
lawmaker held a
press conference at Fordham
Plaza, where she was
joined by Shams DaBaron,
aka Da Homeless Hero,
community leaders and
other elected offi cials to
push for passage of her
Wi-Fi in shelters bill. The
bill, if passed, would provide
internet access in all
homeless shelters across
New York State. Currently,
only family shelters
in NYC have Wi-Fi access.
According to a 2020 survey
of New York City shelter
residents by the New
York City Bar Justice Center,
only 6% of residents
in homeless shelters were
able to access the internet
through their shelter. As
a result of recent litigation
by the Legal Aid Society
and Coalition for the
Homeless, New York City
agreed to install wireless
internet in more than 200
shelters that serve schoolaged
children.
“Really what we’re
here to do today is call on
Governor Hochul to prioritize
this piece of legislation
in this year’s state
budget,” Biaggi said. “We
want to make sure every
single homeless shelter
across the state has access
to Wi-Fi. It is an essential
part of life.”
DaBaron, who has experienced
homelessness
several times throughout
his life, said the bill
is critical and must get
passed since too many
people live in shelters, yet
have no way of looking for
work, housing or communicating
with friends and
family.
“Unfortunately, this
was my reality and continues
to be the reality
for thousands of homeless
New Yorkers,” he said. “I
have lived in eight or nine
single men’s shelters none
of which had internet access.”
According to DaBaron,
when he needed to look
for housing, employment
or access his case fi le he
had to fi nd a hotspot outside
or at a local park.
Making matters worse,
his son could not do his
schoolwork at the shelter,
so they often frequented
Starbucks and Barnes &
Noble.
However, he said this
isn’t just a homeless issue,
but a racial one. Fiftyseven
percent of the people
in NYC shelters are
Black and 32% are Latino.
“This takes a severe
mental toll on homeless
individuals and families
as it has done to me,” he
said. “Denying homeless
New Yorkers access to Wi-
Fi only perpetuates a digital
divide that keeps lowincome
SUMMONS
(Child Neglect Proceeding)
Docket No. NN-06932-35/2021
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, D 42 EC. 10-16, 2021 BTR
communities and
communities of color unable
to achieve economic
and social mobility.”
State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi was joined by community leaders to advocate for Wi-Fi
access in all New York shelters. Photo Jason Cohen
FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF THE BRONX
---------------------------------------------------------------
In the Matter of
THE GARCIA CHILDREN
a Proceeding under
Article 10 of the Family Court Act
ISMAEL GARCIA
Respondent(s)
---------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE: PLACEMENT OF YOUR CHILD IN FOSTER CARE MAY RESULT IN YOUR LOSS OF YOUR
RIGHTS TO YOUR CHILD. IF YOUR CHILD STAYS IN FOSTER CARE FOR 15 OF THE MOST RECENT
22 MONTHS, THE AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FILE A PETITION TO TERMINATE
YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND TO COMMIT GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY OF YOUR CHILD TO
THE AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION. IN SOME CASES, THE AGENCY MAY FILE
BEFORE THE END OF THE 15-MONTH PERIOD. IF SEVERE OR REPEATED CHILD ABUSE IS
PROVEN BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE, THIS FINDING MAY CONSTITUTE THE BASIS
TO TERMINATE YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND TO COMMIT GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY OF
YOUR CHILD TO THE AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION.
IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK TO THE ABOVE-NAMED
RESPONDENT(S) WHO RESIDE(S) OR IS FOUND AT:
LKA
252 Robinson Avenue, #1
Bronx, New York 10465
And to: ISMAEL GARCIA: Biological Father/PLR
A Petition under Article 10 of the Family Court Act having been filed with this Court, and annexed hereto
YOU AND EACH OF YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to appear before the Honorable Cynthia Lopez
in virtual Court at, 900 Sheridan Avenue, Bronx, New York, on JANUARY 4, 2022, VIRTUAL COURT
Part 8 Virtual Courtroom: https://notify.nycourts.gov/meet/0vvpb2 Or call 347-378-4143 Conference
ID: 173 206 941# at 09:30 A.M. o’clock in the afternoon of that day to answer the petition and to be dealt
with in accordance with Article 10 of the Family Court Act. You are permitted to call in on DECEMBER 14,
2021, at the above-number to participate in the court hearing.
On your failure to appear as herein directed, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.
Date: 11/10/2021 Stephen Byrne__
Clerk of the Court
FURTHER NOTICE: Family Court Act §154(c) provides that petitions brought pursuant to Articles 4,5,6,8
and 10 of the Family Court Act, in which an order of protection is sought or in which a violation of an order
of protection is alleged, may be served outside the State of New York upon a Respondent who is not a
resident or domiciliary of the State of New York. If no other grounds for obtaining personal jurisdiction over
the Respondent exist aside from the application of this provision, the exercise of personal jurisdiction over
the respondent is limited to the issue of the request for, or alleged violation of, the order of protection.
Where the Respondent has been served with this summons and petition and does not appear, the Family
Court may proceed to a hearing with respect to issuance or enforcement of the order of protection.
FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF THE BRONX
NOTICE OF INQUEST
Docket No. NN-9568-70/20
In the Matter of
SPRATELY CHILDREN
A Child (ren) Under 18 Years of Age
Alleged to be Neglected By
KEVIN SPRATELY
Respondent(s)
TO: KEVIN SPRATELY
LINK IN- (Microsoft TEAMS)
https://notify.nycourts.gov/meet/ag3waa
DIAL IN- (929) 346-7209 dial-in code 226988904#
PLEASE CALL OR LINK IN ON DATE AND TIME STATED BELOW.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the above-named child is alleged to be neglected pursuant to
Section 1012 of Article 10 of the Family Court Act.
PLEASE VIRTUALLY APPEAR IN PART 17, ON JANUARY 5, 2022 at 11:00AM
and at 2:00PM of the BRONX FAMILY COURT located at 900 Sheridan Avenue, Bronx,
New York, proceedings will be forward on INQUEST to determine:
(X) Whether the above-named child is neglected pursuant to Article 10 of the Family
Court Act.
(X) Whether having found said child to be neglected they shall be placed with the
Commissioner of Social Services for a period not to exceed twelve months.
BE ADVISED that the Court has authority to proceed even if you do not appear. Said
authority is found in Section 1042 on the Family Court Act. The court will proceed on
INQUEST on the date listed above.
Dated: 9/14/2021
IMAN,AKBAR . ESQ.
Special Assistant Corporation Counsel
Attorney for the Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services
900 Sheridan Avenue - 6th Floor
Bronx, New York 10451
Tel: # (646) 941-3806
/0vvpb2
/ag3waa
/0vvpb2
/ag3waa