Empowering New Americans
Care Cafe 2-28.
By Michelle Bialeck
We were delighted to bring Angelo Cabrera, founder of the Mexican American Student Alliance, and Antelma Espejel, community mentor to Bronx parents, to The Center for Family Life in the heart of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, one of New York City’s most densely populated immigrant communities. The “Navigating the School System for Immigrant Families: Pre-k to College” Care Cafe—which was presented in English, Spanish and Mandarin—attracted people who recently immigrated from China and Central America.
Cabrera and Espejel shared their personal stories of struggle and the process of learning how to navigate in America for themselves. Espejel moved her children successfully from elementary schools to high schools that served them best, and Cabrera reached his personal goals in higher education. They both shared practical advice for fulfilling goals and moving forward in a system that often seems to exclude the immigrant voice. Espejel answered questions about finding the best high school, school transportation, and services for students with special needs. Cabrera focused on higher education and staying positive amidst the uncertainty of DACA. He urged parents of young children to let go of intimidation:
“Get involved, know your children’s teachers, show up. With strong dreams and hard work, you can do anything, and so can your kids.”
At the end of the evening participants were able to speak to the presenters one-on-one. All attendees took home with them a large packet of community and DOE resources, as well as a message of hope and empowerment.
– Michelle Bialeck has been working with at-risk youth and immigrant families for well over a decade and is looking forward to attaining a PhD in social welfar
-
Categories
-
Articles
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- December 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- October 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- March 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- February 2013
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
-
Meta