There is a partial federal government shutdown, but elected officials and their representatives in Southeast Queens want constituents to know they are still working for them.

“We are on day 15,” said Nathaniel Hezekiah, the deputy chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica) at a Community Board 12 meeting in St. Albans on Oct. 15, in reference to the shutdown. “Our office is still open in assisting constituents with issues as best as possible because constituents still have issues and we are going to try to be culpable to you.”

Hezekiah informed residents who live within Community District 12 that Medicare enrollment is open now through Dec. 7 and those who need help with signing up for the health program may call Meeks’ office at (718) 725-6000.

To celebrate the young at heart, the office is hosting senior soirees at Rochdale Village’s grand ballroom, located at 169-65 137 Ave., on Oct. 30 and 31, starting at 11:30 a.m. Seats are filling up fast, so people who are interested in attending the free event must RSVP by calling (718) 883-9800.

The office of Nantasha Williams (D-St. Albans) is hosting its own senior event at Black Spectrum Theatre Co. on Saturday, Oct. 25, said Kate Fenton, Williams’ special assistant.

There will free admission to a 2 p.m. showing of the play “Watch the Throne” at BSTC, located at 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard [see separate story in qboro].

On the same day there will be a fall festival at PS 50, located at 143-26 101 Ave. in Jamaica, from 12 to 4 p.m.

On Oct. 31, at Williams’ office, located at 172-12 Linden Blvd. in St. Albans, there will be a Halloween Open House, from 2 to 6 p.m., in which constituents can stop by for candy or stay to learn more about what the elected official and her team are doing to serve the community.

Fenton said that Williams is seeking project ideas for participatory budgeting, along with volunteer Council District 27 budget delegates to distribute ballots.

“She has $1 million to spend in capital funds,” said Fenton. “But we need help figuring what projects in the community the community wants to see.”

Williams’ office hosts a Veterans Information Session every second Thursday of every month at Proctor-Hopson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1896, located at 110-02 Merrick Blvd. in Jamaica, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Professionally trained veteran service advocates accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be onsite to provide veterans and their families with free information about health, dependent and state and local benefits, along with material about home loan programs. If interested in attending a session, email cduncan@council.nyc.gov.

To RSVP to any of Williams’ events, constituents may also call (718) 776-3700.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz will be celebrating Southeast Queens’ very own Sgt. Major Jackie Wilson at a Veterans Day Observance Ceremony, Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Elmhurst Park, located at 79th Street and Grand Avenue, starting at 11 a.m., said QDA staffer Sabine French.

Wilson, who was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, served during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. To learn more about the service and other veterans being honored, visit queensda.org or her social media pages on X, Facebook, Instagram.

Ahead of the Veterans Day event, Katz will team up with U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for a Missing Person’s Day event at the QDA’s Training Room, located at 126-06 Queens Blvd. in Kew Gardens, on Friday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Families and friends who have a loved one who has been missing for 60 days or more will receive resources and support. People interested in getting help may schedule an appointment by calling (212) 323-1201.

State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-South Ozone Park) will host a Council of Youth event for those ages 16 to 24 at the Rockaway YMCA, located at 02-07 Beach 73 St. in Far Rockaway on Nov. 12, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. At the event, young people will have the opportunity to voice their concerns directly to the senator, said his staffer Ivan Young.

“They can voice their struggles on school violence or other things that need to be addressed,” said Young. To learn more about the event, email Young at iyoung@nysenate.gov.

The New York Legal Assistance Group will be providing legal service in its mobile van outside his district office, located at 142-01 Rockaway Blvd. in South Ozone Park, the same day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., said Young.

There, people may receive legal help when it comes to identity theft, immigration, divorce, custody and employment. To RSVP for the event, email Carl Brown at cabrown@nysenate.gov.

Brenden Jackson, director of constituent services for Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica), said her office also has legal service help via CUNY. To schedule an appointment for legal help, call her office at (718) 206-2068. To get help specifically for immigration, schedule an appointment with CUNY at (212) 652-2071.

Automatic reimbursements went through for those who purchased lidded garbage bins from the city Department of Sanitation. For those who bought bins elsewhere, they may sign up to get reimbursed for one trash bin at bins.nyc or call (718) 527-4356, said Renee Taylor, chief of staff for Council Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Laurelton).

More than two years after executing a crash landing in Long Island, pilot and Assemblyman Clyde Vanel (D-Queens Village) is sponsoring free flight training for high school students in good standing with at least an 80 grade-point average and good attendance. The application for the program is open now through Oct. 31 and those interested in the training must write a 400-word essay on why they should be awarded. People may learn about the program by visiting his X, Facebook and Instagram pages.

“This is an airport community,” said Vanel. “We can also fly the airplanes. …Later on, we are going to open that up to adults that are serious in becoming professional pilots. If you are not serious in becoming a professional pilot you can do a few hours if you want to become a recreational pilot.”

Vanel also highlighted that there is a resource center application powered by artificial intelligence that highlights events, career opportunities and programs throughout Southeast Queens.

The MySEQ.nyc app is free.