Queens residents call on Mayor to fund English classes

Queens – With anti-immigrant sentiment and hate crimes on the rise throughout the country, New York City has been at the forefront of cities declaring themselves to be “sanctuaries” for immigrants of all statuses. From soaring rhetoric, to a promise of increased legal services, Mayor de Blasio in particular has been leading the charge of cities pushing back on President Trump’s so-called “travel ban” and other discriminatory measures. Some however, are charging that while the Mayor is making many of the right moves for New York City’s 3 million strong immigrant population, his administration is also jeopardizing their chance of success.

According to the New York City Coalition for Adult Literacy (NYCCAL) – a collection of nonprofit community based organizations, libraries and CUNY branches that provide English language and other adult literacy programs – the Mayor’s FY2018 Executive Budget contains a $12m funding cut that will eliminate literacy classes for over 5,500 students throughout the City, including 1,300 in Queens alone. Advocates say that without these classes, immigrants are unable to get better jobs, attend college, or participate in their children’s education.

In response, the coalition organized a press conference outside of Queens Borough Hall on Wednesday morning, attended by over 300 students from ten different nonprofits across the borough. Their message to the Mayor was simple: their communities need English classes to succeed. They say the Mayor must restore the funding for their classes and baseline them in the budget so they don’t have to go through this again. Joining them in support were Queens Councilman Barry Grodenchik, and representatives from the office of Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.

Elected Official Remarks:

“Literacy programs are important to the families and future of New York, including 1,300 residents of Queens. During budget negotiations we urge the restoration of funding for these programs that helps enhance access to opportunities for thousands of New Yorkers.” – Queens Borough President Melinda Katz

“Adult literacy programs are lifelines for our immigrant families,” said NYC Council Education Committee Chairperson Daniel Dromm. “Thanks to these programs, thousands of New Yorkers are equipped with the knowledge they need to land better jobs and educate their children. We cannot eliminate these pathways to success. Therefore I join the New York City Coalition for Adult Literacy in calling upon the administration to fully fund these valuable programs in the upcoming fiscal year.”

“New residents who call New York City home work hard to contribute to the wellbeing of our communities, and we should be doing everything possible to ensure they are able to succeed and create the life they are seeking for their families” said Councilman I. Daneek Miller. “Being able to speak English is critical in these efforts and I am pleased to stand with my colleagues in government in support of the funding that will help them learn a language which will help them earn higher wages, advanced education, and access to social services.”

Assemblyman Ron Kim said, “It has been clear for several years now that there is a critical gap in adult literacy services provided by New York. In our communities, countless recent immigrants are constrained in the jobs or opportunities they can pursue by limited language proficiency. As the former Chair of the State Assembly’s Task Force on New Americans, I know that these underfunded but crucial ALE programs have been a lifeline for many of them, and am disheartened by this cut in the Mayor’s budget. It will affect thousands of students who rely on this vital resource as they seek to become successful, contributing members of society.”

Coalition Member Remarks:

“The current FY2018 Executive Budget eliminates literacy classes for thousands of adult learners throughout New York City. During these times of uncertainty, we cannot abandon those seeking to secure a better future for themselves and their families. Immigrant families are anxious to learn and improve their educational and economic status. We must support their efforts and call on the Mayor to restore funding for these essential resources.” – Christopher Hanway, Executive Director, Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement

“Queens is the most diverse county in the country and our immigrant communities depend on a robust adult education system to assist them in meeting their college, employment, and parent engagement goals. At a time when hundreds of Queens residents are already waiting for space in English language and high school equivalency classes, the borough cannot afford to be losing 1,300 seats in classes on June 30th due to budget cuts,” said John Hunt, Executive Director for Adult Community Learning, LaGuardia Community College. “Increasing access to adult literacy and educational opportunities is a public investment that generates long-term benefits to both students and society at large. If we want a society where individuals have a chance to obtain the type of living-wage employment necessary to provide for themselves and their families, there is an urgent need for appropriately funded adult literacy services for students with justice system involvement. Such services recognize the value for us all when individuals have the tools to succeed on their journey of change towards reduced recidivism and brighter futures.” – David Nidus, Vice President of Programs, The Fortune Society

“Adult literacy programs are critical to helping new Americans acquire the education, skills and resources necessary to build self-sufficient, prosperous lives in the United States. The YMCA is proud to support our immigrant communities as they seek services critical to their success including language and education classes. Diversity and inclusion are a hallmark of the Y’s historic legacy. Without appropriate funding, our communities cannot thrive. We support the New York City Coalition for Adult Literacy and request the restoration of funding in the Mayor’s budget.” Rachael Rinaldo, Director of the YMCA New Americans Initiative

“The Chinese-American Planning Council promotes the economic self-sufficiency among the Chinese American, immigrant, and low-income communities of New York City. Given the rhetoric throughout last year’s presidential campaign and the incidents since the election, CPC’s values of equity and compassion are needed more than ever. We worry that the anti-immigrant fear that permeates new federal policies will translate into a wider distrust of government at all levels—including our communities’ own allies in city government. To fulfill the city’s commitment of being a sanctuary city, CPC stands with our students to ask the Mayor to restore $12 million to Adult Literacy in order to demonstrate his continued support for the 5,700 students citywide and 1,300 in Queens who would otherwise lose their seat in class without this funding. An investment in Adult Literacy today ensures that our students, our families, and our communities have the skills and resources to effectively communicate, exercise, and navigate their rights tomorrow, for the next four years, and for future generations.” – Wayne Ho, President & CEO, Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc.