Bringing our communities together is what Julissa Ferreras has been doing her whole life.

A lifelong resident of the district, she has chosen to run for City Council in the 21st District (which includes Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst and Jackson heights) because it is the next step in representing the best interests of its residents.

Julissa was tapped early in her life as a natural community leader – by the last woman of color to represent Queens in the City Council, Helen Marshall. Marshall appointed 14-year-old Julissa to serve on the Corona Youth Council, where she started a youth employment program. From there, she became president of the Corona-East Elmhurst NAACP Youth Council, a position she held for three years and started her lifelong work of bridging the gaps among our communities.

She entered the workforce as Assistant Director of the Community Conciliation Network in Corona, and shortly thereafter became the Beacon Director at P.S. 19 in Corona, the nation’s most overcrowded school. As Beacon Director, she gave hope to at-risk youth with mentoring, after-school programs and homework help – creating quality programs that helped many children. And in another project, Julissa worked to help immigrants become citizens.

Her involvement in the Beacon Program brought her to the forefront of many community issues. When someone was needed to represent the community, it was Julissa who was called upon by Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette and Congressman Joseph Crowley to serve as a New York State delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention.

Upon returning from the convention, Julissa became instrumental in the successful campaign of the first Latino elected official in Queens, as campaign manager for Hiram Monserrate in 2001. Julissa joined Monserrate as his Chief of Staff for the next four years, working on many community issues such as education, immigration, health care, public safety, redevelopment and business empowerment.

Julissa went on to become the New York Director of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials for two years. However, she later returned as Chief of Staff once again to continue her relentless work for the betterment of District 21 and the community at large.

As a proud Dominican-American, Julissa holds a board position with the Dominican National Roundtable and has served on the board for the National Dominican Wheelchair Foundation. She has also served on boards for Renaissance Music and Sports, as well as Elmcor. She currently serves on the board of Neighborhood Housing Services.

Having grown up in Jackson Heights, Julissa now lives in Corona. She is the daughter of Josephine and Julio Ferreras, who emigrated from the Dominican Republic and have lived in the community for 35 years.

Entered City Council: 03/17/2009
Current Term Expires: 12/31/2013

Represents: Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights

Committees: Civil Rights; Consumer Affairs; Economic Development; Finance; Health; Parks & Recreation; Women's Issues, Chair

• Emmett Hare, Chief of staff
• Yoselin Genao, Deputy Chief of staff
• Seth Barron, Legislative Director
• Ivettelis Rodriguez, Scheduler
• Carlos Plaza, Press Secretary
• Christina Long, Communications Director
• Maryann Smith-Jackson, Director of Constituent Services

• Women's Issues, Chairperson
• Civil Rights
• Consumer Affairs
• Economic Development
• Finance
• Health
• Parks and Recreation

Scheduled for Monday February 22, 2010 from 5:30pm -8pm at Langston Hughes Library

100-01 Northern Boulevard
Corona, NY 11368
(718) 651-1100

Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras held her First Annual Three Kings Day Event on January 6, 2010 in her District Office at 32-33A Junction Blvd. in East Elmhurst. The event was co-sponsored by The Children's Aid Society and New York Life.

Representatives from New York Life were on hand to provide Child Safety Identification Cards to the children in attendance. The cards featured the child's picture, identifying information and fingerprints. The cards, which are useful for the police in the event that the child goes missing, were provided free of charge.

January 6, 2010

Location: District Office

Council Member Julissa Ferreras held a town hall meeting in Corona at P.S. 19 on 99th Street. The meeting was held to keep an open flow of dialogue with the constituents of the communities that Council Member Ferreras represents.

The Council Member was joined by concerned citizens, as well as representatives from the Queens District Attorney Office, officers from various units within the 110th precinct, as well as the Departments of Sanitation and Health. Residents expressed the concerns on a myriad of public safety and quality of life issues

Council Member Julissa Ferreras held a town hall meeting in Corona at P.S. 19 on 99th Street. The meeting was held to keep an open flow of dialogue with the constituents of the communities that Council Member Ferreras represents.

The Council Member was joined by concerned citizens, as well as representatives from the Queens District Attorney Office, officers from various units within the 110th precinct, as well as the Departments of Sanitation and Health. Residents expressed the concerns on a myriad of public safety and quality of life issues

The president of the Ecuadorian Civic Committee of New York City, Oswaldo Guzman told the media: "The reason the parade is to promote cultural events, particularly music, clothing, folklore, also show a mosaic representing corporate Ecuadorian living habits and the representation of the organization of sporting, social, cultural and business ".

Council Member Julissa Ferreras, along with the McDonald's Corporation and the Queens Borough Public Library, held a book-donation drive to support the Langston Hughes Library on Northern Blvd.

The 200+ children who participated in the fun-filled afternoon were treated to a show by special guest, Ronald McDonald; the kids enjoyed a magic act and were taught lessons on reading and sharing.

Special thanks to the parents who attended and the coordinators from A Child's Place Summer Camp, Antioch Baptist Church of Corona's Summer Camp and the Elmcor Summer Camp for bringing their campers. Their support made the event a huge success.

July 31, 2009

In the month of the celebration of the independence of Colombia, The Colombian Cultural Center held their annual gala at the Marriott Hotel.
The councilwoman was guest of honor with other major celebrities from the Colombian entertainment.

With just five months after winning the special election, Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras of District 21 organized the Colombian community with a celebration of 199 years of Independence. This event was held in New York’s City Hall. A tribute was given to Rafael Escalona during the celebration.

July 18, 2009

Open the Plaza del Sol Family Health Center - a federally funded ambulatory care facility in Corona that will provide health services to the community.

July 14, 2009

Queens Councilmember Julissa Ferreras will preside over an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Corona Greenmarket will accept EBT/Food Stamps, WIC, and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition (FMNP) coupons thanks in part to funding provided by NYC Council

Roosevelt Avenue between 103rd & 104th Street.

July 10, 2009

Queens Councilmember Julissa Ferreras will preside over an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Corona Greenmarket will accept EBT/Food Stamps, WIC, and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition (FMNP) coupons thanks in part to funding provided by NYC Council

Roosevelt Avenue between 103rd & 104th Street.

July 10, 2009

Help Fighting Tickets and Getting Reduced Fines

As always, you can turn to Councilwoman Ferreras district office for help on unfair tickets you've received. Below, you'll find documents that will give even more info on the steps to take to get a reduced fine, a list of the violations eligible for fine reduction, and a list of New York City Parking and Traffic Rules.

       1. New York City Traffic and Parking Rules

       2. List of Violations Eligible for Reduced Fines

       3.  Common Defenses Used to Fight Tickets and Evidence Requirements

       4. New DOT Rule: More Parking Available at Some "T" Intersections

Expense Funding FY 2011

The applications and instructions for FY 2011 funding are linked below. Submitting an application does not guarantee a group will be funded.  All groups are subject to the Council's vetting process.

Organization Qualification Form (doc | pdf)
For frequently asked questions, read here.