Deputy Mayor Richard Buery and Commissioner Nisha Agarwal Announce New Benefits for the IDNYC Program

September 21, 2016

New benefits focus on fitness and entertainment, and are a boon for New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds

Announcement is part of a Week of Action to encourage and help all New Yorkers enroll for IDNYC

By IDNYC’s second anniversary, de Blasio Administration aims to have one million New Yorkers become unique cardholders.

NEW YORK––Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery and Commissioner Nisha Agarwal of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs announced that the IDNYC program, the largest municipal ID program in the country, will now offer new fitness and entertainment benefits.

“I am proud to announce that IDNYC is expanding the benefits that make it such an important resource for all New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “IDNYC’s goal to reach one million cardholders marks a major milestone in ensuring that every New Yorker has the right and access to municipal ID.”

IDNYC cardholders will now have access to:

• Up to 25 percent off on tickets to select Barclays Center events, including world championship boxing, family shows and college basketball, as well as Brooklyn Nets and New York Islanders games. A list of events will be released on Monday, Sept. 26 at www.nyc.gov/IDNYC.
• At New York City Modell’s Sporting Goods locations, IDNYC cardholders can get a 10 percent discount on in-store purchases. 
• And now, cardholders can receive a complimentary first-year membership to New York Road Runners.

Cardholders can learn more about eligibility and how to access all of IDNYC’s benefits at www.nyc.gov/IDNYC.

Deputy Mayor Richard Buery announced these new benefits at the Chelsea Recreation Center, a community center and athletic facility operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. He was joined by Commissioner Nisha Agarwal of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, Operations Director Mindy Tarlow, and Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin. Flanked by the community-based groups and the City agencies that were integral to IDNYC’s success, Deputy Mayor Buery announced on behalf of Mayor Bill de Blasio that IDNYC’s Week of Action is the start of a historical effort. By IDNYC’s second anniversary, on January 12, 2017, the de Blasio Administration aims to have one million New Yorkers become unique cardholders. Currently there are more than 900,000 unique cardholders enrolled in IDNYC.
  
“I'm really excited about IDNYC’s newest benefits, and I think all IDNYC’s cardholders will be too” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery. “Our commitment to grow both the number of IDNYC cardholders, and benefits they receive, reflects IDNYC’s mission, which is to give all New Yorkers – of whatever background, whatever language, whatever color – access to all of the resources that make New York City the best city in the world – for everyone!” 

These benefits enhance current sports and fitness benefits, which include eligibility for a ten percent discount off both annual and six-month NYC Parks Recreation Center memberships located in every single borough and IDNYC cardholders get $3 off individual tickets for select seats at New York City Football Club home games at Yankee Stadium. IDNYC’s benefits expansion will also support the program’s growing youth enrollment initiatives. New Yorkers who are fourteen years or older have been able to enroll for IDNYC since the inception of the program and now it’s even easier for them to do so using the Department of Education’s Student Verification Form to verify identity and residency. Learn how to enroll for IDNYC at http://www1.nyc.gov/site/idnyc/card/how-to-apply.page.

“During IDNYC’s Week of Action, volunteers and outreach staff will meet New Yorkers across all five boroughs, and will help them make IDNYC appointments,” said Commissioner Nisha Agarwal of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. “Both IDNYC’s expanding benefits and outreach efforts like these ensure that, for 8 million New Yorkers, there is 1 card for us all.”

IDNYC’s Day of Action will mobilize nearly 500 volunteers across the city to share information and make appointments for New Yorkers who are interested in signing up for IDNYC. These activities launch of a full Week of Action, organized by the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Human Resources Administration, the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, and NYC Service. The subsequent IDNYC Week of Action features:

• Thursday, September 22: Engagement and outreach with more than 50 immigrant-serving non-profits and community-based organizations.
• Friday, September 23: IDNYC Outreach Day in collaboration with elected officials.
• Friday, September 23 – Sunday, September 25: A weekend of worship, in which congregations and faith-based communities across New York City will be introduced to IDNYC.
• Tuesday, September 27: Community outreach done in conjunction with cultural institutions and other benefits partners.
• Wednesday, September 28: A focus on youth with an outreach event done in conjunction with the Department of Education.

Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña said, "I am proud to partner with IDNYC during their week of action to ensure students can take advantage of its newest benefits. IDNYC creates an inclusive city, making institutions, fitness and entertainment centers accessible to New Yorkers regardless of their zip code and home language."

“We are proud to support the IDNYC program and are committed to making a positive impact on our community,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, the business enterprise that manages Barclays Center, Brooklyn Nets and New York Islanders business operations. “We are thrilled to make world-class events at Barclays Center accessible to all New Yorkers.”

“Being a part of New York for over 125 years, it was important for Modell’s to play an active role in the IDNYC program. We’re very excited to participate and help incentivize New Yorkers to sign up for the program,” said Mitchell Modell, CEO of Modell’s Sporting Goods.

“New York Road Runners is excited to partner with IDNYC to provide cardholders with a free first year membership to New York Road Runners,” said Michael Capiraso, CEO and President of New York Road Runners. “NYRR’s mission is to help and inspire people through running, and through this new partnership, we look forward to supporting even more runners of all ages and abilities in our community in their movement towards a healthier lifestyle through running.”

"I urge every New Yorker to take action and sign up for IDNYC today," said Council Member Daniel Dromm, lead sponsor of the legislation that created the identification card. "IDNYC grants cardholders access to many programs and services that would otherwise be inaccessible to them – such as renting an apartment, acquiring prescriptions drugs, picking up children from school and much more. Because this ID card is an invaluable resource for New York families, I am proud to work with MOIA to help spread the word and increase participation in the program."

“IDNYC is an example of government at its best,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “It solves a big problem, providing ID to undocumented city residents who need it to access services. At the same time, it provides great benefits and perks for all New Yorkers. In both respects, the tremendous achievement of signing up more than 860,000 New Yorkers shows this program is a success.”

“IDNYC continues to advance forward as a national model for municipal identification, making New York City a safer and greater place to raise healthy children and families. The program’s new partnerships with Barclays Center, Modell’s, and New York Road Runners all stand to grow membership even further, helping to ensure that more New Yorkers prosper from the popularity of our city’s brand,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams.

“In less than two years IDNYC has become the most successful municipal ID program in the nation with over 900,000 cardholders,” said Department of Social Service Commissioner Steven Banks. “This success is based on one simple yet powerful concept: that all those who call New York home regardless of where they came from, have the same access to services and benefits this great City has to offer. We are joining forces with our community and faith-based partners to bring IDNYC to all neighborhoods and to ensure that even more New Yorkers can apply for their card and enjoy these benefits.”

“The IDNYC program has been hugely successful with over 900,000 cardholders, and we know there is even greater potential to enroll new cardholders all across the city,” said Mayor’s Office of Operations Director Mindy Tarlow. “The Administration is committed to reaching more New Yorkers, and continuing to provide first-rate customer service to all IDNYC cardholders.”

"IDNYC has opened so many doors and fostered a sense of belonging for hundreds of thousands of residents since it was launched last year," said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl. "Culture is woven into New York's civic fabric, and on the day of action we encourage all residents to get their IDNYC so they can seek new connections with the museums, performing art centers, zoos, botanical gardens, and other benefit partners that have made this a card for all New Yorkers."

“As a new cardholder, I’m excited to help encourage other New Yorkers who haven’t yet signed up to take advantage of the many benefits of IDNYC,” said Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Lorelei Salas. “At DCA, we are committed to fighting inequality and expanding access to financial resources and services, which IDNYC can be a vital tool in achieving. IDNYC is now accepted as the primary form of identification to open a bank account at 12 financial institutions so I encourage anyone who doesn’t have an IDNYC, to sign up today, and if you don’t have a bank account, use IDNYC to open the right account for you.”

“NYC Health + Hospitals has been a strong supporter of the IDNYC program and the value it brings to New York City,” said Dr. Ram Raju, President and CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals. “Our collaboration with IDNYC is a natural fit for the health system because we share a unified goal of creating equal access to services for all New Yorkers.”

“IDNYC is an inclusive card that allows all New Yorkers – including those with difficulty obtaining government IDs – to access the card benefits. With over 850,000 people enrolled already, the card offers something for everyone in the city to enjoy: discounts at pharmacies and grocery stores, memberships at museums and other cultural institutions, access to government programs and facilities, and much more. As a new New Yorker myself, I am so excited to join the IDNYC community and take advantage of all the benefits the card has to offer!” said Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Mina Chang.

“IDNYC gives all New Yorkers access to essential City services and resources they wouldn’t otherwise have,” said the Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights Carmelyn P. Malalis. “Armed with a government-issued ID, even the most vulnerable among us can come out of the shadows and participate in everyday city life, from transgender New Yorkers who now hold an IDNYC that shows the gender they identify with, to immigrant families who can now access their children’s schools, financial institutions and other agencies.”

“On this citywide Day of Action, building on our successful partnership with MOIA, NYCHA is urging all residents to take advantage of IDNYC and all the program has to offer,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. “This collaboration and this card are creating more connected public housing communities and strengthening pathways to opportunity.”

“IDNYC has empowered countless young people and their families by giving them a proper form of identification that opens the doors to important services and free access to New York City’s crown  jewels – our museums and cultural institutions,” said Bill Chong NYC Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner. “IDNYC has become an indispensable resource for all New Yorkers who are looking to take advantage of the increasing list of benefits this program provides. I encourage everyone who is 14 and older to apply and take advantage of all the great things this City has to offer.”

“IDNYC is all about expanding access to our city's peerless educational, cultural and recreational resources. And I'm thrilled that  includes making it easier for cardholders to enjoy NYC Parks' recreation centers and tennis courts across the five boroughs by providing membership and registration discounts,” said Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP.

"IDNYC is not only an identification card, but also an opportunity for older New Yorkers to remain active and engaged through discounted admissions offered to cardholders," said Department for the Aging Commissioner Donna Corrado.

“We are thrilled to support the expansion of the nation’s largest municipal ID card program by establishing an IDNYC pop up shop at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, so municipal employees can more easily sign up and have access to the cultural, entertainment and health benefits that the card provides,” said Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services. 

“We are proud to partner with MOIA on this Day of Action to extend the many benefits of IDNYC to the furthest reaches of the communities we serve. This campaign demonstrates this Administration’s commitment to making New York City the ideal of inclusivity for residents in every neighborhood across the five boroughs,” said Commissioner Marco A. Carrión, Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit.

“NYC Service is proud to help continue spreading the word about IDNYC throughout the city,” said NYC Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin. “Expanding the impact of this great program means more New Yorkers across the five boroughs accessing opportunities and City services. That’s what this is about – building a more equitable city.”

“Henry Street was honored to host an IDNYC pop-up site in January. Its location – at our Jobs Plus office in the Jacob Riis Houses – was ideal for reaching residents living in public housing,” said David Garza, Executive Director of the Settlement. “Our mission is to open doors of opportunity, and IDNYC aligns perfectly with that. There is no better tool to help open doors than a government-issued ID.”

Javier H. Valdés, co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York, said, “IDNYC has been remarkably successful across our city. For immigrant New Yorkers, it’s been critical for gaining access to City services, buildings, and the city’s rich cultural life. Make the Road New York is excited to participate in a Week of Action to ensure that thousands of more New Yorkers get their municipal ID and benefit from this card.”

"IDNYC has been a resounding success for immigrant communities across New York City. IDNYC allows us to find greater equality as New Yorkers and to feel safer in our communities. It opens the doors often closed to undocumented community members without alternative access to identity documents," said Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition. "We are proud to have worked alongside the City Council and the Mayor's Office to see this program become a reality, and we are happy to continue supporting outreach and awareness-building around IDNYC."

"Every New Yorker is a unique contributor to our city's story, but too often our especially vulnerable neighbors are left out of the narrative," said Gregory J Morris, President and Executive Director of Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center. "IDNYC validates the experiences of the individuals we serve, facilitates their access to opportunity, and unites communities.

Under the leadership of Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, as of September 21 2016, IDNYC has grown to include more than 900,000 unique cardholders. IDNYC benefits every city resident, including the most vulnerable communities – the homeless, youth, the elderly, undocumented immigrants, the formerly incarcerated, and others who may have difficulty obtaining other government-issued ID, which makes the outreach effort behind the IDNYC Day of Action integral to the values of the program. Learn more at www.nyc.gov/IDNYC.

IDNYC’s Week of Action would not be possible without the support of its partners.