by changer | Apr 13, 2015 | Family Resources, feature, fundraising, Home and More News, Immigration, Legal Services, More News, News
On Wednesday, April 8th, Joe Crowley, Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, and NYS Assembly Member Francisco Moya hosted an immigration forum in Jackson Heights, Queens. During this meeting leaders and experts on immigration discussed the status of President Obama’s executive action on immigration, the future of the NY DREAM Act, fraud prevention, the Central American Minors program, and different benefits and services available to immigrants in New York. This meeting provided members of the local community an opportunity to receive information and ask questions on the various programs that effect immigrants. CMS Immigration Counselor Marisol Canales was a member of the panel, she discussed CMS’ role in empowering immigrant communities and providing valuable resources and services. Other participating organizations included the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Legal Aid Society, SCO Family of Services, International Rescue Committee, Make the Road New York, Emerald Isle Immigration Center, FWD.us, Queens Community House, and CUNY Citizenship Now. New York State Senator Jose Peralta also joined the meeting held by Crowley and Moya.
by changer | Oct 2, 2014 | More News, Uncategorized
Julissa Ferreras, council member of the 21st district in Queens, spoke at the Queens Tenant Monthly Meeting.
CMS held our first Queens Tenant Monthly Meeting of fall 2014 on Wednesday September 24.Over 80 community members attended the meeting at St. Sebastian Parish Center. We were joined by council member Julissa Ferreras of the 21st district in Queens. She spoke about current housing issues in the Elmhurst, Corona, and Jackson Heights area and a new development for affordable housing that is opening in Corona. Ariel Salazar of the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs gave a presentation on the new paid sick leave law that was enacted in the city of New York on April 1st 2014. This law grants new rights for employees to receive compensation for days that they or a loved one are sick and cannot work.
CMS housing attorney Kenny Minaya ended our meeting with announcements that effect tenants throughout the 5 boroughs. He explained the rent increases that are beginning on October 1st and he reminded tenants about the legal temperature in New York City apartments. He also spoke regarding the expiration of the rent stabilization law in June 2015 and a renewal that further protects the rights of tenants. CMS staff Jennifer Park, Alexina Delvecchio, Alice Davis, and Quetzalli Rocha were present to speak with community member about our Immigration Legal Services and Immigrant Workers Rights Program. Members of CMS partner organizations JASA, Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens, and Fidelis Health Care were available to speak with community members about the various services they each provide. CMS will be holding the Queens Tenant Monthly Meetings now through June.
For more information about the CMS monthly meetings, please contact Kenny Minaya at kminaya@catholicmigration.org.
Location: St. Sebastian Parish Center
39-60 57th St., Woodside, NY 11377
Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Dates:
October 28, 2014
November 26, 2014
December 17, 2014
January 28, 2015
February 25, 2015
March 25, 2015
April 30, 2015
May 27, 2015
June 24, 2015
For a full list of CMS events, please see our Events Calendar!
by changer | Jun 2, 2014 | More News
On Saturday May 31st Outreach Assistant Rebecca Rybaltowksi spoke to parishioners during and after the Spanish language Mass supporting immigration reform. This event was organized by El Senor de los Milagros prayer group. Approximately 100 people who attended the Mass were able to hear about CMS’ free legal services and programs . After the Mass parishioners made inquires about the processes that they could use to bring family members to the United States. Family reunification was a major theme in parishioners’ questions a theme that is also present in the call for immigration reform.
by changer | May 28, 2014 | More News
CMS’ Staff Attorney Kenny Minaya engages with a community member.
This Memorial Day weekend CMS’ Staff Attorney Kenny Minaya informed parishioners at St. Anselm in Brooklyn about the Senior Citizen Rent increase Exemption Program (SCRIE). In total over 150 parishioners were informed about the qualifications for SCRIE and they were given the opportunity to meet one on one for a free and private consultation with Kenny. During the Mass Kenny spoke about the changes coming to the household requirement for SCRIE eligibility. Currently eligible SCRIE candidates must have an annual income of $29,000 or less. On July 1st the new state provision will raise the income maximum to $50,000. This announcement generated a lot of interests from parishioners who were eager to take advantage of the new maximum annual household income for SCRIE eligibility.
For more information about SCRIE click here.
To apply for SCRIE call our Queens office at 347-472-3500 for an appointment.
by changer | Apr 29, 2014 | More News
Immigration Operations Manager, Frederik Stefani helps community members file for DACA.
On Saturday, April 26th Immigration Operation Manger, Frederik Stefani and Outreach Assistant, Rebecca Rybaltowski provided eligible candidates in the Sunset Park, Brooklyn community with application assistance for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process (DACA). Individuals who have deferred action status can apply for employment authorization and are in the U.S under color law. The Arab American Association of New York hosted this event in Sunset Park High School in communion with The Door, Fifth Avenue Committee and La Union. CMS’ staff provided assistance to many community members as as result reintroduced ourselves to the Sunset Park community.
by changer | Apr 15, 2014 | More News
Rebecca and Intern David Vascones inform community members about CMS’ services.
On Saturday April 12th CMS Outreach Assistant Rebecca Rybaltowski and Intern David Vascones tabled at the grand opening of the new Fidelis Care office in Ridgewood, NY. A longtime partner of CMS’ work Fidelis Care has opened a new location on 1674 Putnam Avenue in Ridgewood, NY. To promote the grand opening of the new office Fidelis Care invited CMS and other local organizations to inform community members about their respective services. Throughout the day community members who stopped by were informed about CMS’ free legal services, free housing clinics and community members received information about their labor rights.
To learn about our legal services click here.
For more information about Fidelis Care click here.
