Announcement
As we face ongoing uncertainty and barriers to legal pathways, we are committed to standing by refugees, immigrants, and asylees in New York and ensuring they have the resources and support needed to recover and rebuild their lives. In response to these circumstances, we are launching an emergency fundraising effort to address critical areas of need.
While all of our programs provide holistic support to those we serve, there are three key areas where funding gaps have become particularly urgent in the face of an ever-changing political environment: Immigration Legal Services, Crisis Management, and Workforce Development.
Immigration Legal Services
More than 375,000 immigration cases are pending in New York City. In our New York office alone, the waitlist for legal services has surpassed 300 cases.
Delays in obtaining legal status significantly increase the risk of deportation or detainment for our clients. The growing demand for immigration support, paired with limited resources, leaves many vulnerable individuals without the legal assistance they need to navigate the complexities of the immigration system.
At the IRC in NY, we support individuals with their immigration legal needs by providing
- Adjustment of status application assistance
- Family reunification assistance
- Employment Authorization filings
- Fee waiver applications
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS) support
Your donation could help
- Increase staff capacity to process more applications, including naturalization cases, helping protect clients from the increased risk of deportation.
- Directly cover essential application fees for clients who are otherwise unable to pay.
- Ensure families remain united by supporting the legal process for family reunifications.
By investing in this area, we can protect clients from the threat of deportation and help keep families together during challenging times.
Crisis Management
Many of our clients are recovering from war, persecution, and political upheaval in their home countries. The trauma from these experiences is compounded by the stress of the resettlement process and further exacerbated by the changing political climate in the United States. These challenges create significant physical and mental health needs. In response, we provide comprehensive care and services to support our clients' recovery, ensuring they receive the necessary resources and care to rebuild their lives and thrive in their new communities.
Some of these services include
- Intensive case management to help clients navigate their resettlement journey
- Mental health support for trauma recovery
- Addressing physical health concerns and illnesses
- Cash assistance for emergency needs
By donating, you could help
- Provide life-saving support for clients who are unable to access care due to delays in obtaining healthcare or financial constraints.
- Cover basic needs for clients during the initial phase of their arrival, including housing, food, and transportation.
- Support mental health programs that help clients cope with the psychological impacts of resettlement and trauma.
Your support in this area will provide immediate relief to those who have experienced unimaginable hardships and are trying to rebuild their lives in New York.
Workforce Development
With the high cost of living in New York, many of our clients face significant barriers to securing employment, including limited access to job opportunities, language barriers, lack of recognition for foreign qualifications, and unfamiliarity with local job markets. Without proper support, these individuals are at risk of prolonged economic instability. To help overcome these obstacles, we offer wrap-around workforce development programs that enable our clients to achieve long-term financial independence and successfully contribute to their communities.
To ensure successful integration into the local workforce, the IRC in NY provides
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes to improve language skills
- Digital literacy support to eliminate barriers in finding and applying to jobs
- Ongoing cultural orientation to help navigate life and the job market in the U.S.
- Financial coaching to build financial literacy and independence
- Job readiness and contextualized employment training tailored to specific sectors
- Career development and vocational training programs to enhance long-term job prospects
- Direct connections with employers and job placements
Your donation could help
- Support clients with essential resources while they work to secure their first job, reducing economic stress and increasing their chances of success in the job market.
- Ensure that our ESOL classes remain free of charge, enabling more individuals to access this crucial service and improve their language skills, which is a key factor in securing employment.
- Expand vocational training programs to help clients gain skills that match the needs of the local job market.
By funding workforce development programs, you will empower individuals to achieve self-sufficiency, contribute to their communities, and break the cycle of poverty.
Support Our Clients
These three areas—immigration legal services, crisis management, and workforce development—represent critical gaps that can be addressed with your support. As we continue to navigate a shifting political landscape, the need for emergency funding has never been greater. Your contribution can help us provide the essential services our clients need to rebuild their lives, protect their families, and integrate into their new communities.
Thank you for standing with us during this challenging time.
If you have any questions or other ideas on ways you’d like to support, please contact our Development Director Claire King at claire.king@rescue.org