As the year ends, and with a fresh new one coming up, the final days of December are the perfect time to reflect on our wonderful community and everything we have achieved together this past year. We are proud of our collective successes, your dedication, and unrelenting commitment to our community even in the most challenging of times. We wish you all a peaceful festive season, as we look forward to a new year.
Our offices will be closed for Winter Break from Friday, December 23, 2022 through Monday, January 2, 2023. The buildings at 45 Wadsworth and 8 Clinton Place will be closed during this time.
Remember Joey?
Joey Fernandez is an alum from NMIC’s GED/HSE program— like many teenagers his age, Joey had dreams and a supportive family. He found high school overwhelming, and he dropped out at age 14. He took the initiative to sign up for NMIC’s GED & Adult Basic Education to gain access to educational opportunities.
“I dropped out of high school at 14 and was struggling to find my place in the world. Through NMIC’s GED/HSE program, I gained the academic tools necessary to continue my education. I also found mentors who helped me earn my GED, do well in community college, and get accepted to Georgetown University,” said Joey in 2018.
We are excited to announce that Joey not only has graduated from Georgetown University for undergraduate and Columbia University for his graduate degree, in October 2022, he was assigned to be a diplomat for the Philippines. We are incredibly proud of Joey’s accomplishments, and all that the future has in store for him.
Join us in congratulating Joey!
The NYIC is keeping us warm this season
When the weather gets colder—boots, sweaters, coats, and thick socks are a necessity to get through a winter in New York City. That is why we are so grateful for The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) who have recently provided an in-kind donation of winter apparel.
“No New Yorker should have to face winter in the city without warm clothes. Providing coats and winter clothes to the recently arrived asylum seekers and low-income New York families is how we ensure our communities stay safe and healthy. We thank NMIC for partnering with us to ensure the clothing we collected got into the hands of families most in need,” Jennifer Diaz, Manager of Community Engagement, NYIC.
On behalf of all those we serve, thank you NYIC!
Click here to learn more about NMIC’s Holistic Services.
Season of Giving
Lissette is a proud mother, an aspiring writer, and a dedicated student. She is a single parent from Washington Heights who originally came to NMIC’s office for assistance with applying for housing and benefits. When she found out that NMIC also offered adult education services, she realized that her long-term goal of acquiring a GED was financially accessible and turned her dream into action.
“To me, a GED means a whole lot—it means that I am an educated person, and no one can tell me otherwise. I’m doing it for myself, and I know that it will help me feel complete,” she told us.
The pandemic revealed to us how crucial digital literacy is for employment, civic and cultural participation, and accessing essential services in our society—it is no longer a want, but a need. Over 70% of U.S. jobs now require middle to high level digital skills, yet one in six working-age Americans are unable to use email, web search, or other basic online tools.
Please consider donating today to help clients like Lissette follow their dreams. Access to education is an everlasting gift.
Join NMIC’s Advisory Board (NAB)
NMIC is looking for dedicated professionals committed to our mission to join our Advisory Board. Participants will enhance their resumes, fulfill their passion to serve, and gain hands-on volunteer experience. NAB members will have opportunities to interact with our staff and network with the Board of Directors as they support NMIC’s overall goals through social media, individual fundraising, service activities, and fundraising events.
To apply, fill out this application and send your resume to NAB@nmic.org.
NMIC’s Holiday Swag
Tis’ the season of giving! Our holiday sale is still in motion, and your purchase directly supports our mission and everything you value from NMIC.
Our design depicts West 167th and Juan Rodriguez Way. Juan Rodriguez was one of the first documented non-indigenous inhabitants to live in Manhattan Island and is considered the first non-native resident of what would eventually become New York City. In October 2012, the New York City Council enacted legislation to name Broadway from 159th Street to 218th Street in Manhattan after Juan Rodríguez.
The neighborhoods of Washington Heights and Inwood in Upper Manhattan have a substantial Dominican community. Rodriguez was born in The Captaincy General of Santo Domingo which now is the Dominican Republic. We are thrilled to celebrate the contributions and experiences of our Dominican and immigrant neighbors by featuring the Juan Rodriguez Way Street sign.
Click here to make a purchase today!
Cafecito Con Maria
In the last days of the year, our Executive Director, Maria Lizardo, LMSW, celebrated the accomplishments of other New York-based nonprofit organizations by attending dedicated events.
Last month, Maria attended the West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH)’s Plentiful Plates event and spent an evening celebrating our wonderful partner and collaborator organization. Along with WSCAH, we host monthly food pantries to those facing food insecurity.
Later, Maria volunteered at our sister organization, Community League of the Heights (CLOTH159), as they distributed food to 330 families. We are always excited to support CLOTH 159 and their dedication to supporting and empowering New Yorkers from Northern Manhattan and adjacent Bronx neighborhoods.
Maria also attended various galas to acknowledge the great accomplishments of other organizations in New York City. On November 14th, Maria attended Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s 13th annual Crown Awards Gala. The evening highlighted Columbia’s key community health programs to improve outcomes and care for all. CUIMC’s Crown Award was presented to Pfizer for their partnership with CUIMC to help increase the involvement of historically marginalized groups in clinical trials.
Finally, on December 7th, Maria attended Human Service Council (HSC)’s annual gala that honored Dr. Jeremy C. Kohomban, the President and CEO of The Children’s Village, and Claude M. Millman, Partner at Kostelanetz LLP. We are active members of HSC and their ongoing mission of strengthening New York’s nonprofit human services sector, to ensure that New Yorkers from all walks of life can reach their full potential, and we would like to congratulate this year’s honorees. We also proudly participate in HSC’s #JustPay advocacy efforts and join them in their fight to end government-sanctioned poverty wages for human services workers and look forward to our work together this upcoming year.
NMIC in the News
- Last month, Spectrum Noticias wrote an article on NMIC’s November food pantry. María Lizardo, LMSW, director of NMIC, says she has seen an increase in people signing up to receive food pantries in recent months, which is why our delivery was so important last month. “Today we are going to deliver a turkey, despite the normality, which includes carrots, spaghetti, rice, but turkey is so expensive, and we know that many families might not have turkeys next Thursday and we are very proud to that through our volunteers,” explained Lizardo. Click here to read more.
- New York City is increasing access to subsidized childcare for hundreds of undocumented children. Mayor Adams announced on Wednesday a $10 million childcare assistance program for families who are otherwise ineligible for federal subsidies because of their immigration status. The Administration for Children Services is contracting with four local organizations with ties to immigrant communities in each borough — who will connect families with monthly subsidy payments, and help parents identify child-care providers and enroll their children. The organizations include the Center for Family Life in Brooklyn, NMIC in the Bronx and Manhattan, La Colmena on Staten Island, and the Chinese American Planning Council in Queens. Click here to read more.
Observances
- Month of Giving
- December 10, Human Rights Day
- December 18, International Migrants Day
- December 31, New Year’s Eve
