Blog: Matthew Silverstein

Matthew Silverstein

On primary day 2010, Matthew Silverstein became the  Democratic State Committeeman for the 26th Assembly District.

Matt began a career in public service as an Inspector for the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs. As an Inspector, Matthew worked to uphold the landmark New York City Consumer Protection Law. He then became the Executive Assistant to DCA Commissioner Jonathan Mintz.

In 2007, Matthew became the Project Analyst for America Works of New York – an exciting private/public partnership that has been at the front of social policy issues for nearly 25 years. America Works was the pioneering company whose work led to the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, moving national welfare programs from subsistence to back-to-work programs. America Works has community offices in New York City, Albany, Baltimore, Chicago, Newark, Oakland and Washington D.C.

At America Works, Matt finds employment for Veterans, Welfare Recipients, Food Stamp Recipients, and Formerly Incarcerated Individuals, people receiving SSI /SSDI Benefits, youth aging out of foster care, homeless/sheltered individuals and people living in NYCHA Housing. Matthew is also responsible for all political outreach for America Works network of companies. He has also worked inside New York State Prisons – helping formerly incarcerated individuals remain out of prison by keeping full time jobs – and works with our nation’s veterans.

Matthew has worked to protect the quality of life for residents of North East Queens for many years. Matthew is currently the 2nd Vice President for the Bay Terrace Community Alliance, and a member and former officer of the Friends of Fort Totten Parks.

From 2008 – 2010, Matthew served as President of the New York State Young Democrats and is a proud part of community activities of both the F.D.R. & Jefferson Democratic Clubs, serving on the Board of Directors of both organizations.

A true product of New York’s public school system, Matt is a graduate of CUNY Baruch College, where he studied Political Science. He earned a Master’s Degree in Urban Affairs from CUNY Hunter College. Matthew is a charter member of the Bayside – Whitestone Lions Club.  Matthew currently lives in Bay Terrace. In January of 2012, Matthew was named as one of the Queens Courier’s rising stars.

Don’t forget our veterans this Memorial Day
Matthew Silverstein Matthew Silverstein 5/20/2013 at 3:41PM

President Abraham Lincoln in his second Inaugural Address said “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.” These words would be adopted by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in 1959 as its motto. These immortal words are still as powerful today, as they were when [...]

The next Queens Borough President
Matthew Silverstein Matthew Silverstein 4/22/2013 at 11:20AM

It has been about four months since the 2012 Presidential election in which President Barack Obama was re-elected to another four year term. Did you know that in 2013 there is yet another election for President? This time it’s for the office of Queens Borough President. 2013 is a very important year for the City [...]

My nana’s Gefilte Fish
My nana’s Gefilte Fish
Matthew Silverstein Matthew Silverstein 3/25/2013 at 12:09PM

Let me start of by wishing everyone a Happy Pesach! Pesach is a time where the Jewish people commemorate our liberation from slavery in Egypt. As far as I can remember, my family always came together for Passover Seder on the first two nights of the holiday. The one food item that has been on [...]

Historic rise in NYC homelessness
Matthew Silverstein Matthew Silverstein 3/14/2013 at 11:33AM

Last week the Coalition For The Homeless released a report on the state of homelessness in New York City for 2013. The report was disturbing and alarming. According to the report 50,000 New Yorkers are sleeping each night in the shelter system. A shocking statistic is that of those New Yorkers sleeping in the shelter [...]

We must find a cure for pancreatic cancer
Matthew Silverstein Matthew Silverstein 2/25/2013 at 12:56PM

It has been nearly two months since my mother passed away after losing her battle with cancer. I would like to thank all my friends, family, neighbors and readers for their warm wishes, thoughts and prayers. This has been the most difficult time of my life but my family and I are getting through it [...]

Hard times in Far Rockaway
Hard times in Far Rockaway
Matthew Silverstein Matthew Silverstein 11/12/2012 at 5:54PM

Many of you know, I am the director of public affairs for America Works of New York, Inc. We are a private employment company that helps low income and hard to serve New Yorkers get back into the workplace. We have four offices in New York City including a large office in Far Rockaway, Queens. [...]

A proven way to put New Yorkers back to work
Matthew Silverstein Matthew Silverstein 10/03/2012 at 5:35PM

With a 9.7 percent unemployment rate, New York City needs new and innovative ways to put it’s residents back to work. Since 2009, I have administered and witnessed one such program called the “Wage Subsidy Employment Program” do just that. The results have been remarkable. In 2009 various employment companies including America Works of New [...]

Move America forward, not back
Matthew Silverstein Matthew Silverstein 9/05/2012 at 6:20PM

I am so honored to be a Delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina representing the 5th Congressional District of New York! Day 1 of the Convention was so exciting. The day started with a New York State Delegation breakfast at the DoubleTree hotel. We heard great speeches from New York [...]

My Journey To El Yunque
My Journey To El Yunque
Matthew Silverstein Matthew Silverstein 7/17/2012 at 4:51PM

Every post I have written on here so far has been about something going on in our city. This time I decided to write about a special journey I embarked on while on vacation in Puerto Rico. I am glad that I had this opportunity to journey to El Yunque with my dad. It is [...]

Our Local Hero
Matthew Silverstein Matthew Silverstein 6/22/2012 at 4:13PM

Last Friday night, I had the privilege of joining my sister, my family and over 250 of my fellow Bayside High School alumni at Citi Field, as the New York Mets honored a great man, Bayside High School Coach Steve Piorkowski. Coach Piorkowski was honored by the Mets with their Spirit Award. Coach Piorkowski has [...]