
City Living NY’s
Resource Newsletter
September 28th, 2026

CDF Public Service Award

Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) is sponsoring the 2026 Samuel Halperin Youth Public Service Award! The annual award recognizes youth ages 16-24 who demonstrate a commitment to public service and have overcome barriers to success.
The award will be presented at CDF’s 2026 National Celebration of Joy on Thursday November 5th in Washington D.C. Award winners will receive a $1,000 cash prize and be asked to provide brief remarks at the event.
Youth can apply by submitting an essay describing their commitment to public service and how public service has helped them overcome challenges. Youth are encouraged to describe the youth program that helped them become engaged in public service and/or that has provided them support.
Applications are due by 5pm on October 12th!
Upcoming Job Events

HRA Business Link Career Fair
Wednesday September 30th in Manhattan
Time and Location Provided After RSVP
Free Activities

Recipes
Chicken and Rice Casserole

Ingredients
- 1.5 cups long grain white rice
- 3 cups water
- 1 chicken breast, boneless and skinless
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 lb frozen broccoli, thawed chopped
- 8 oz medium cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
~1 hr
Serves 6
- Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 8×10 inch baking dish with nonstick spray or coat lightly with oil.
- Cook rice according to package instructions.
- While rice cooks, cut the chicken into 1/2-inch cubes and season with salt and pepper. Heat over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and sear chicken for about 2 min per side until lightly browned. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and carrots. Saute until onions are softened for about 5 min. Transfer onions and carrots to bowl with chicken.
- In same skillet, add butter and flour. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture becomes foamy. Continue cooking for about 1 min.
- Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and bring mixture to a simmer. Turn off heat and season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add chopped broccoli, cooked rice, and 1/2 of shredded cheddar to the bowl with chicken.
- Pour sauce over the rice mixture and stir until everything is combined. Transfer mixture to casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese over the casserole.
- Bake the casserole, uncovered, for about 35 min or until top is golden brown. Serve hot.
Credit: Budget Bytes

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