Staten Island, N.Y. –  On a tour of storm-ravaged Staten Island, President Barack Obama assured residents of one of the worst-hit areas in the New York region that they were not alone.

"During difficult times like this, we're reminded that we're bound together and we have to look out for each other," Obama said from a Staten Island street where so much had been demolished by Superstorm Sandy. 

As he had done before his visit, Obama vowed to lend federal help to victims of the storm.

“Understand and be confident that each of us can make a difference by caring and acting in small as well as big ways.”- Marian Wright Edelman

There is a lot of misinformation circulating on social networks regarding the response and recovery effort for Hurricane Sandy. Rumors spread fast: please tell a friend, share this page and help us provide accurate information about the types of assistance available.

Check here often for an on-going list of rumors and their true or false status.

I couldn't sleep last night. The thoughts/visions of the deplorable conditions building up in #TheRockaways was enough to keep me tossing and turning all night. A horrific vision of a massive amount of people just falling seriously ill a year from now brought chills over me.

A free subway shuttle service has started operating on the Rockaway Peninsula to assist straphangers who normally use the A train, where tracks from Howard Beach to the Rockways were almost completely destroyed by Sandy.   

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says that while work continues on the damaged tracks, the new H train shuttle service will help improve travel for residents of the Rockaways.   

Homeowners in Breezy Point, New York received notices for "failing to maintain their building," that also threatened legal action against them. The notices outraged homeowners and representatives. According to a spokesperson for the Buildings Department, the violations were a formality issued to document the damage that occurred and do not carry any monetary penalties for the property owner.

http://www.aol.com/video/sandy-victims-receive-building-violations/517543863/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl4%7Csec1_lnk3&pLid=236393

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/mta_launches_new_rail_service_for_GeO3t13FtHapdE8ENSefRK

http://nymag.com/guides/holidays/gifts/2012/hurricane-sandy-volunteer-opportunities/