Between April 2022 and April 2024, some 180,000 migrants arrived in New York City, mostly from Latin America, with a predominance of Venezuelans. Many of them have suffered needs and suffering that are difficult to imagine. The overwhelming majority experienced true odysseys to reach the United States because their situation in their places of origin was unsustainable. Our city must, by law, provide shelter and other basic forms of help to those who need it. But beyond that, our Hispanic Federation and our member organizations also provide vital assistance to these migrants and asylum seekers. One of those organizations is Voces Latinas, headquartered at 37-63C 83rd Street, in Jackson Heights, Queens.
“As part of that help,” explains Nathaly Rubio-Torio, President of the Board of Directors of Voces Latinas, “we explain to them how to look for employment in the United States. For example, they learn to prepare their resumes or resumes; how to search for work on the Internet; how to prepare for job interviews, and how to obtain the ITIN, the tax identification number for those who do not yet have a Social Security number.”
In Voces Latinas, migrants also learn about the different forms of exploitation to which they are exposed, the laws that exist to prevent and punish this crime and how to ask for legal help.
On the other hand, Voces Latinas has extensive experience in physical and mental health services, and that experience is especially useful when dealing with new migrants.
“These are almost always people who are very positive, with a great desire to work and get ahead,” details Nathaly Rubio-Torio. “But at the same time, they are people and families of all ages who have gone through terrible and traumatizing situations since they began their long journeys, and even here. Many have been scammed and deceived. That’s why we immediately explained to them that at Voces all help is free.”
One of the first steps taken in terms of emotional support is to provide migrants with the ability to understand and identify what they are feeling and experiencing, such as fear, depression, anguish and anxiety.
In terms of physical health, one of the services that some of the newcomers most urgently need is treatment for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.
“Many migrants arrive with HIV, but without medication or treatment and without knowing how to connect with the services and medications they need, which here in New York are free,” explains the President of Voces Latinas.
The agency’s staff not only explains all this to the affected migrants but also helps them arrange medical services and appointments, accompany them to see specialists and even go with them to purchase medications.
In addition to providing all this help to migrants and asylum seekers, since its founding in 2003, Voces Latinas has provided various services to the general population, such as HIV prevention, reduction and elimination of domestic violence, and location of resources. of physical and mental health care.
Those interested in receiving more information can call (718) 593-4528 or visittrabajoslatinas.org.
And if you want to learn more about our Hispanic Federation and its many other organizations, visit our website or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Celebrate our 34th anniversary with us, and see you in the next column!
Frankie Miranda is the president of the Hispanic Federation