Educational Alliance and Immigrants
Educational Alliance was founded to support the wave of Jewish immigrants who arrived decades ago to the Lower East Side. As a Jewish organization committed to the core value of welcoming the stranger, we remain dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate their new lives in New York City. For over 135 years, we have been carrying this mission forward.
Our Approach:
We recognize the importance of a holistic response that addresses the complex and multi-faceted needs of new arrivals to our community. Our goal is to provide individuals and families with a blueprint for long-term success in New York. To achieve financial stability and independence, people need steady work but often come up against significant barriers in their search for gainful employment. We recognize the urgent need for more English instruction, help with government forms, mental health services, and resource coordination, all of which are essential components of obtaining and securing a job.
Our approach is rooted in the following three tenets:
- We treat them like neighbors, not intruders. Immigrants need partners who will allow them to feel safe and comfortable accepting assistance, so that they can leverage resources to become independent and empowered. Human connection is vital to that goal.
- We are a hub of activity, support, and opportunity.We marshal a broad array of social services to address New York City-specific needs. We believe that isolating the issues makes it harder for immigrants to receive the full range of supports that they need in order to be set up for success in their new lives.
- We equip migrants to work. We place a heavy emphasis on learning English, obtaining work authorizations, and getting a job.
Our Services:
At our Askwith Kenner Family Resource Center (FRC), we provide support services to those who come through our doors. We offer a wide array of classes, counseling, and other forms of crucial aid, in partnership with expert mental health and education professionals.
Our extensive list of services is constantly evolving, based on the needs of our community. At present, we offer the following support:
- Assistance filling out Employment Authorization applications.
- Essentials such as pantry staples, hot meals, and clothing .
- Housing Advocacy.
- Practical English language instruction.
- Mental health counseling in English and Spanish from bilingual social workers.
- Enrollment in our 3K and UPK programs.
- Referrals for legal aid.
- Assistance registering for benefits at our Benefits Clinics.
- Assistance identifying and growing skills for entering the workforce.
- Vaccination clinics with medical professionals .
- Substance abuse treatment.
- Community outreach and peer support.
How You Can Help:
- Drop off clothes and other provisions at the Manny Cantor Center to be donated to our Reloved Boutique at the Family Resource Center. Many immigrants come to NYC from warm climates, so their whole families are in urgent need of appropriate attire for our cold winter weather.
- Volunteer to personally assist by helping families complete forms to receive work permits (Spanish language proficiency is preferred but not necessary) or washing and sorting donated clothes.
- Donate to support the Educational Alliance’s assistance to immigrants. We are doing as much as we can with our current resources, but additional funds are crucial for the success of our ongoing efforts.
We encourage you to bring us your questions, ideas, and needs. And we want everyone in our community to know: You Belong Here.
