S.I. Immigrant Center Settles Into New Home
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
A new immigration info center on Staten Island is looking to make the sometimes difficult transition to life in the U.S. a little bit easier. NY1's Amanda Farinacci filed the following report.Hundreds of West African immigrants have settled in Staten Island's Park Hill and Fox Hill sections -- a reason why organizers say Fox Hill is the perfect place for the Immigrant Information Center. It's open to all immigrants, but it attracts a large number of West African refugees, providing them with a place for advocacy, education and culture.
"They should know the country, the local law, they should know the national law, they should know how to do things by themselves, they should be very independent, they should know that they are in different country; they are not in their own country. There should be an informal education," said Immigration Information Center President Moses Jensen.
The IIC has been up and running since 2006 but has been working out of church basements until now.
Jensen came from war-torn Liberia just six years ago. He did advocacy work there and hoped to continue that here in the United States. He says he could have used a place like the IIC when he was making the transition to American culture. He says it's especially beneficial to parents of small children, who wind up teaching their parents the culture as well.
"We are giving them how to treat them culturally. Sometimes we say, when you go home, please tell you mommy good morning in the morning time. When you come from school, please greet your mommy and daddy. I mean gradually, they are picking that message," Jensen said.
Computers are available to adults and children at the center. Immigrants can also get help with legal concerns, reading and writing english, and how to budget their money. After school programs even offer help with homework and social interaction.
"One of the problems they have is like I said reading, and math, and behavior problems like controlling themselves and being obedient," said IIC Youth Coordinator Nathaniel Dalieh.
Now that the center has a new home, organizers are seeking financial donations from the public, as well as books to expand its library.
For more information about making a donation, send an email to iic.org2008@yahoo.com.