Two years ago, in the course of a month spent with Occupy Wall Street in Zuccotti Park, Greater NYC for Change volunteers petitioned for the extension of a Millionaire’s Tax in Albany. We called on Governor Cuomo to promote fair taxes and work against income inequality, and to apply proceeds from the tax on wealthy residents toward the state’s underfunded schools. GNYCfC also carried a petition from our friends in anti-fracking groups calling for a statewide ban on fracking and greater investment in non-fossil fuels.

Today, those issues are front and center—in the city, the state, and the nation. We’re delighted the President will announce initiatives to reduce income inequality in his State of the Union Address this Tuesday night, and call for investment in universal pre-K programs and environmental measures. And we’re thrilled that United for Action, 350.org and others are hosting new collaborative events, starting this week, to promote alternatives to fossil fuels and investment in a sustainable future.

None of this can happen without YOUR activism–New York and the nation need you in a broad coalition for fairness and a sustainable future. So, join us! Here are three events you won’t want to miss:

Tuesday, January 28: State of the Union Watch Parties in Mahattan and Brooklyn Join DL21C, Living Liberally, GNYCfC, and others to watch the President’s annual address and the GOP rebuttal. Manhattan: Tavern 29, at 47 E 29th St. Doors open at 8:30 PM. Take the 6/R/N to 28th Street. Co-hosted by DL21C, New York Democratic Lawyers Council, and others. RSVP at DL21C. Brooklyn: Pacific Standard, 82 4th Avenue (near Atlantic/Pacific subway stop). Doors open at 8 PM. Hosted by Living Liberally. RSVP on Facebook.

Thursday, January 30: Tankers, Turbines, and Our Offshore Energy Future Come learn why New Yorkers should oppose a Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) port off Jones Beach and support a proposal for a wind farm at the same site. Speakers include Sean Dixon of Clean Ocean Action, David Alicea of Sierra Club, and Al Appleton, former Commissioner of NYC Department of Environmental Protection. Manhattan: Rutgers Presbyterian Church, 236 West 73rd Street (near Broadway). 6:30 pm; doors open at 6 pm. Sponsored by United for Action, GNYCfC, and many other groups and elected officials. $10 suggested donation. RSVP on Facebook.

Wednesday, February 5: Fossil Free NYC—A Divestment Open House Join 350.org and fellow sponsors the Responsible Endowments Coalition, GreenFaith, New York Society for Ethical Culture, and NYC Grassroots Alliance for an open house and panel on fossil fuel divestment. Learn how NYC can adopt the procedures of cities around the globe in divestment, stop profiting off of destructive climate change, and become a leader in a sustainable energy future. Manhattan: New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 W. 64th Street. 7 to 9 pm. Information and RVSP on Facebook.

During the rest of open enrollment, if you enroll between the 1st and 15th day of the month and pay your premium, your coverage will begin the first day of the next month. So if you enroll on February 10, 2014, your coverage begins March 1, 2014. Open enrollment ends March 31, 2014.

To enroll, go to www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 855-355-5777. If you have a friend out of state, go to healthcare.gov or call 800-318-2596.

We highly recommend going to office locations where there’s free in-person assistance to help you understand your options. You can call to set up an appointment with an insurance assistant or “navigator” here.

Note: Many places are booked toward the end of the month, so another option is to call 855-355-5777 and ask for enrollment help.

Trained experts can walk you through your options and help you learn if you qualify for financial assistance. It’s important to have last year’s tax returns, current employer information, and the names of any current doctors and hospitals on hand.

Last but not least, Community Health Advocates at 888-614-5400 can guide you through complex insurance questions should you need further help.

Join us December 9th to celebrate another wonderful year of progressive achievements in NYC! The health exchanges are up and New York City has a new class of leaders for 2014. It’s time to celebrate the year past and the new year to come!

Festivities will take place at the The Brooklyneer from 6:30-8:30pm and in the spirit of giving, we will be raising funds for the Food Bank for New York City. A suggested donation of $10 is appreciated.

If you have any questions feel free to email Aliya or RSVP on Facebook. See you there!

Greater NYC For Change Holiday Celebration

Monday, December 9th

6:30pm to 8:30pm
The Brooklyneer
220 W Houston Street (Between 6th and 7th Ave.)

It’s here! The New York State Health Plan Marketplace is open and operating. That means for the first time, over a million New Yorkers can access high-quality, comprehensive health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

Sign Up

If you or someone you know needs coverage and lives in New York State, visit New York State of Health — you’ll find a calculator to help you determine how much insurance will cost and whether you qualify for financial assistance–or call 855-355-5777 between 8 AM and 5 PM. Help is available in 150 languages. For coverage outside New York State, go to healthcare.gov or call 800-318-2596.

For an easy way to get in-state coverage, you can also sign up at Get Covered New York–a certified expert or “navigator” will contact you to complete enrollment. Get Covered New York is a partnership of the Health Care for All New York coalition and Greater NYC for Change.

Get Involved

Get Covered New York is providing volunteer outreach to uninsured New Yorkers and local communities. Look for the yellow umbrella logo or bright blue T-shirts at street fairs, health assemblies, or community institutions! To volunteer, email or sign up on the website.

Bottom line: This is your chance to improve your health or the health of someone you care about. Open enrollment is October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014; enroll by the end of the year for coverage starting January 1, 2014.

And don’t forget to share your experience with us @GNYCforChange and on our Facebook page.

Here’s to your health!

The Greater NYC for Change Team

Sandra Fluke, speaking in New York, after the Supreme Court upheld the health care law in June 2012.

You helped get the Affordable Care Act passed. Now it’s time to finish the job. Let’s get help the one million plus uninsured New Yorkers – insured! Enrollment for the New York Health Benefit Exchange begins October 1st and there’s no time to waste. Our experts will tell you how you can help. Special guests: Sandra Fluke, attorney and social justice advocate, and Tim Foley, Greater NYC for Change policy expert.

Join us Thursday, September 19, 2013, 6pm to 8pm at 310 Lounge, 310 Bowery (at E. 1st) in Manhattan. Please RSVP through Facebook or by emailing aliya.quraishi@gmail.com

As we gear up for the fall, let’s make some plans for worthwhile and fun events for the uninsured. We have one huge event — Caribbean Day below — and a couple of smaller ones too. Please join!

Starting September 5, we will be tabling on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at health events in CVS Drug Stores in Queens and Brooklyn. There are many slots open. For more information, email Liza at liza@raisingwomensvoices.net