EXPANDING IMMIGRANT SERVICES AND CREATING PATHS TO JOB

OPPORTUNITIES

Flushing

NEWSLETTER FALL | 2013

New Americans Welcome Center

The The The The Flushing YMCA New Americans Welcome Center is Flushing YMCA New Americans Welcome Center is Flushing YMCA New Americans Welcome Center is Flushing YMCA New Americans Welcome Center is now also an Office for New Americans Opportunity now also an Office for New Americans Opportunity now also an Office for New Americans Opportunity now also an Office for New Americans Opportunity Center. We have added legal services to the list of Center. We have added legal services to the list of Center. We have added legal services to the list of Center. We have added legal services to the list of servicservicservicservices wes wes wes we offer to Ne offer to Ne offer to Ne offer to New Americans in New York City. ew Americans in New York City. ew Americans in New York City. ew Americans in New York City. We are excited to expand our program through NYS We are excited to expand our program through NYS We are excited to expand our program through NYS We are excited to expand our program through NYS

Office forOffice forOffice forOffice for New Americans’ funding. We New Americans’ funding. We New Americans’ funding. We New Americans’ funding. We also added one to also added one to also added one to also added one to one job counseling and job preparation to our program one job counseling and job preparation to our program one job counseling and job preparation to our program one job counseling and job preparation to our program through the generous donation from the Southpolethrough the generous donation from the Southpolethrough the generous donation from the Southpolethrough the generous donation from the Southpole Foundation. Foundation. Foundation. Foundation.

- Kathy LiuKathy LiuKathy LiuKathy Liu (Program Director)(Program Director)(Program Director)(Program Director)

According to the 2010 US Census, Queens is home to over a million foreign-born residents – the most of any of New York’s five boroughs – and many of them live right here in Flushing. These new Americans immigrated to the United States for much the same reason that immigrants have come to this country for generations – the opportunity to make a better life. For many, that opportunity starts with finding a job. Of course, finding a job is never as easy as we would like it to be. It is a challenging and stressful process, especially in this economy, which is why I believe that it is so important that the Flushing NAWC has begun to provide more services to help those who have recently immigrated to this country find employment. This past cycle, a workforce class was offered for the first time that was designed to teach students how to put together a resume and prepare for an interview. I was also recently brought onboard as an employment counselor to provide one-on-one assistance to new Americans who are looking for jobs. My hope is that I can provide a resource that these individuals can turn to at any point in their job search. For those just starting their job search, I can show them where to turn to find job postings. For those who are ready to start

Job Preparation

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JOB COUNSELING

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AMERICAN DREAMS

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applying for jobs, I can help them write or revise their resumes and cover letters. And for those who have been invited to interview with a potential employer, I can help them practice by asking some common interview questions. In the weeks and months ahead, I intend to reach out to more local businesses in order to more effectively connect those looking for jobs with those looking to hire. Searching for a job can be a daunting prospect. I can only imagine how much more daunting it is when there are language and cultural barriers standing in the way. That being said, the most important piece of advice that I hope to pass along to the new Americans who come to see me is that they should be confident in themselves and in their own potential. The United States is a country built by immigrants, and today's new Americans, with their diversity of perspectives and experiences and their entrepreneurial spirit, remain one of this country's enduring strengths. - By Ben Elconin

(Program Job Counselor)

“Joe gets the work done without wasting time, energy, or materials,” reads one student as the Power Point presentation reveals the image of a confident, octo-armed man in a suit and three possible personal qualities to describe the job candidate. “Joe is a) efficient, b) hard working, or c) dynamic?” A chorus of “A! Letter a! Efficient!” fills Room 6 as the animated adjective grows on the screen to signal that, Joe, is in fact, efficient. A handful of students eagerly jot down the term on their own personal qualities worksheet alongside the others they have chosen to best illustrate themselves in both cover letters and interviews. The first cycle of the Advanced ESL Workforce class was rather experimental and catered to a classroom composed of students in variety of stages in their careers. Some were looking for their first paid job, others had owned their own businesses for years, some students were looking to change fields or find their first job in the U.S. after decades of experience in their native country, while others had retired years ago but refused to rest and instead seek out volunteer opportunities in the community. Throughout our time together, all walks of job hunter explored the

Flushing Y

NAWC: Job Preparation

The Hidden Talents By Jackie Heltz (ESOL Instructor)

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world of employment in America including finding and decoding job posting in newspaper and online, writing emails to prospective employers, preparing for and acing interviews, making great first impressions, filling out job applications, putting together resumes, creating cover letters, reading employee manuals, interacting with coworkers, and deciding if the job is right for them. Students shared what they knew and embraced updated and very American approaches to the world of job searching and work. What was perhaps the most rewarding part of the process was giving notoriously humble students the opportunity to recognize the amazing accomplishments, abilities, and admirable attributes in themselves. New Americans pupils are incredibly studious but also excruciatingly self-effacing. The seventy year old woman who owned her own restaurant and can cook any variety of fare under the sun, the middle aged engineer who has led an entire department while making

invaluable contributions to the field of technology, and the newly graduated twenty something who has spent countless hours volunteering his time tutoring elementary aged children at his church spend years in NAWC program hiding behind a grateful smile and a textbook without ever bringing a moment’s attention to themselves or expecting an ounce of commendation. Classroom activities such as the one described above prompted students to identify the job-worthy qualities they possessed, their indispensible skill sets, relevant job experience, impressive catalog of former job duties, and extract them from layers of modesty.

As I have learned so much about my students in this interesting cycle, I too hope they learned how much they have to offer any employer lucky enough to hire them.

Class graduation. Instructor Jackie Heltz (first in the front row from the right).

Job Counseling by Ben Elconin (Program Job Counselor)

This past fall I started work as the Flushing NAWC’s first employment counselor. One of the aspects of the job that I enjoy the most is the diversity of the individuals I get to meet. Some have advanced degrees and years of professional experience. Others are looking to find their very first jobs. So far, I have met with about twenty job-seekers, and I am happy to say that a number of them are now employed. The first success story that I would like to share is XuWen’s. At her first appointment with me, XuWen and I discussed her previous work experience and what sort of jobs she was interested in. After working with her to revise her resume, I encouraged XuWen to apply for a job at Macy’s. A few weeks later, Macy’s invited her to interview for a sales associate position. XuWen scheduled a second appointment with me to prepare for her interview. She assured me that even though she had never interviewed for a job before she wasn’t nervous because if nothing else the interview would be an excellent learning experience. As it turned out, it was more than just a learning experience; I recently received an email from XuWen letting me know

that Macy’s had offered her the job. Another gentleman who came to see me had experience working with IBM mainframe computers. He had already put together a resume and had an interview scheduled with CIGNA, a healthcare company based in Connecticut. To prepare him for his interview, we discussed everything from wardrobe, to the sort of questions he could expect to be asked, to the importance of shaking hands. He was later offered the position and it was my pleasure to help him draft the letter in which he accepted CIGNA’s offer. He has since moved to Connecticut and started work with the company. The individuals whose stories I have shared deserve the bulk of the credit themselves. It was because their own determination, hard work, and qualifications that they succeeded in finding jobs. That being said, I hope that they found my counseling and advice helpful, and that theirs are the first of many success stories to come.

ASK YOUR NAWC

Anticipation and uncertainties are the hallmark of relocation. That done, there are still the

Uncertainties are the hallmark of relocation. That done, there are still the anticipation and more done,

How do I sign up for the How do I sign up for the How do I sign up for the How do I sign up for the classes?classes?classes?classes? You can sign up for the classes during registration period or after the registration period if there is still space available, you can put your name on the waiting list if the class you want to register is full. We will contact you once a space opens up. Waiting list doesn’t carry over to the next cycle. Student has to register every cycle. Registration is on a first come first serve basis. We don’t register over the phone.

What do I need to bring to What do I need to bring to What do I need to bring to What do I need to bring to register?register?register?register? Please bring proof of income, proof of address and a picture I.D when you come in to sign up for free classes. Others can’t register for you.

When are the registration When are the registration When are the registration When are the registration periods?periods?periods?periods? Registration is open Monday through Friday from 12noon to 5pm and by appointment if you can’t come to our office during the following periods for the upcoming cycles: - March 17 – April 4, 2014

(Spring 2014 Cycle) - June 15 – July 3 (Summer

2014 Cycle) - Sept 14 – Oct 3, 2014 (Fall

2014 Cycle) - December 14 - 31, 2014

(Winter 2014 Cycle)

We are closed for the We are closed for the We are closed for the We are closed for the following holidays:following holidays:following holidays:following holidays: - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Monday, January 20, 2014 - Presidents’ Day

Monday, February 17, 2014 - Memorial Day

Monday, May 26, 2014 - Independence Day Friday,

July 4, 2014 - Labor Day

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

- Thanksgiving Day Thurs & Fri, Nov 27-28, 2014

- Christmas Day Thurs, December 25, 2014

Anticipation and uncertainties are the hallmark of relocation. That done, there are still the

Uncertainties are the hallmark of relocation. That done, there are still the anticipation and more done,

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The Goals and Vision of the New Americans Welcome Centers by Dio Gica

Flushing YMCA New Americans Welcome Center 138-46 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354 (718) 551-9353

AAAAn American Dreamn American Dreamn American Dreamn American Dream By By By By Michelle Lam (Program CounselorMichelle Lam (Program CounselorMichelle Lam (Program CounselorMichelle Lam (Program Counselor))))

The Flushing YMCA NAWC is here to help New Immigrant assimilate to the American culture to the best of their abilities. Though the road to great success and a better future may be challenging we all must remember that after every storm, comes a rainbow and our student Jasmine Hu is a great example. Jasmine, our nominated speaker for the Flushing YMCA’s annual dinner shared with us the rough journey she had coming from China to the United States. Jasmine came to America in hopes of finding a better life for her and her family. However, Jasmine knew that in order to do so she must first adapt to this New American Culture and to do so, it was important to her that she learned the language. The thirst for learning and thriving led Jasmine to the Flushing YMCA NAWC where

she learned English. While here in America, Jasmine’s husband and daughter were back in China. During this time of separation, Jasmine worked hard to reunite with her family. Through Jasmine’s hard work and determination, Jasmine improved her English, obtained green cards for her family and found a job as a bank teller at Cathy Bank. However, Jasmine’s hard work and determination did not just stop there. Jasmine wanted more; she wanted to reach for the stars and beyond. Jasmine decided that she wanted to go to college in hopes that it will open more doors of opportunities. After studying for her GED, Jasmine PASSED! Jasmine proceeded to apply for college and the New American

Welcome Center is proud to announce that Jasmine has been accepted to college and will be attending this coming year. We are all happy and excited for her and wish her and her family the best from the bottom of our hearts. CONGRATULATIONS Jasmine! Any questions or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kathy Liu at kliu@ymcanyc.org or 718-551-9353.

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Bronx YMCA New Americans Welcome

Center at Glebe Senior Center

2125 Glebe Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462

Ruben Arce, NAWC Program Coordinator

rarce@ymcanyc.org 917-673-8688

Tania Alor, NAWC Counselor

talor@ymcanyc.org 917-721-0748

Chinatown YMCA New Americans

Welcome Center at the Chinatown YMCA

Beacon Center

100 Hester Street, New York, NY 10002

Jie Ling Chen, NAWC Program Coordinator

jchen@ymcanyc.org 212-219-8393

Stephanie Chan, NAWC Counselor

schan@ymcanyc.org 212-219-8393

Flushing YMCA New Americans Welcome

Center at the Flushing YMCA Branch

138-46 Northern Blvd., Flushing, NY 11354

Kathy Liu, NAWC Program Director

kliu@ymcanyc.org 718-551-9353

Michelle Lam, NAWC Counselor,

ykim@ymcanyc.org 718-551-9352

Jenny Choi, NAWC/ONA Edu Manager

jchoi@ymcanyc.org 718-551-9351

Harlem YMCA New Americans Welcome

Center at the Harlem YMCA Outreach Center

2627 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., New York,

NY 10039

Harlem YMCA New Americans Welcome

Center at the Harlem YMCA Branch

180 West 135 St., New York, NY 10030 Thalia Kwok, NAWC Program Coordinator tkwok@ymcanyc.org 212-690-4024 690-4024 Thalia Kwok, NAWC Program Coordinator tkwok@ymcanyc.org 212-690-4024 Jordan Steiner, NAWC Counselor 212-690-4024 Prospect Park YMCA New Americans Welcome Center at the Prospect Park YMCA Branch 357 9th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215 Nabila Khan, NAWC Program

Coordinator nkhan@ymcanyc.org

212-912-2375

Ruben Arce, NAWC Counselor

212-912-2378

Staten Island YMCA New Americans

Welcome Center at the Staten Island

YMCA Counseling Center

285 Vanderbilt Ave., Staten Island,

NY 10304

Rachael Rinaldo, NAWC Program

Coordinator 718-981-4382

ELESAIR Project at the

Association Office

5 West 63rd St., New York, NY 10023

Dio Gica, Program Manager

dgica@ymcanyc.org

Terita Givens, NAWC/Lit Zone Partnership

Coordinator Terita tgivens@ymcanyc.org

212-690-4024

Abraham Magana, NAWC/Lit Zone Ed.

Case Manager, amagana@ymcanyc.org

212-690-4024

Prospect Park NWAC New Americans

Welcome Center at the Prospect Park

YMCA Brach

357 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Nabila Khan, NAWC Program Coordinator

nkhan@ymcanyc.org 212-912-2375

Joanna Zant, NAWC Counselor jzant@ymcanyc.org 212-912-2378