TESTIMONY
Abigail Dorcin, Organizing Manager at La Colmena, on Support Services for Immigrants and Workers on Staten Island
4:19:17
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128 sec
Abigail Dorcin outlines the support services provided by La Colmena for immigrants and workers on Staten Island.
- La Colmena focuses on empowering immigrants through education, culture, and organizing, specifically supporting day laborers and domestic workers.
- The organization provides critical support during emergencies such as COVID-19 and severe weather conditions.
- Services offered include consultation classes, training in safety and specific skills, childcare, cleaning services training, legal advice, and ESL classes.
- La Colmena plays a key role in fostering a strong sense of community among new arrivals and long-term immigrants on Staten Island.
- Dorcin emphasizes the importance of continued council support to sustain these services and address challenges faced by immigrants.
Abigail Dorcin
4:19:17
My name is Abigail Dorison, and I am the organizing manager of La Commina.
4:19:22
La Commina is an immigrant and workers rights center based on Staten Island that focuses on empowering the immigrant worker through education, culture, and organizing.
4:19:33
We form part of the Daily World And Domestic Worker Initiative.
4:19:37
Through these 2 initiatives, we provide support to day laborers and domestic workers.
4:19:43
We have been in the forefront for many emergencies such as when COVID 19 hit our cities our city or when the city needs support when there are severe weather condition.
4:19:54
But in general, our work allows us to be there for the community when we are needed the most.
4:20:01
Recently, our work has allowed us to be on the forefront to support our new neighbors.
4:20:07
For example, our centers have seen thousands of new arrival this last year, meanwhile supporting long long term immigrants who have been here for years.
4:20:18
We support new arrivals by providing them with consultation classes, OSHA SSC, scaffolding, Flagler training.
4:20:27
Furthermore, we provide childcare and cleaning services, training, and also provide new know your right workshops.
4:20:34
To let them know about their rights at the job site plus provide legal services in ESL classes.
4:20:42
However, one of the most important things that we we provide is a community.
4:20:47
It is beautiful to hear directly from new arrivals that they feel supported, that they feel part of a community, that they feel like a sideline lender.
4:20:58
We do this work despite the challenges that we face each time on Staten Island by NT immigrants group.
4:21:04
However, through this council support, we have been able to keep moving forward and provide these services to both new arrivals and long term immigrants.
4:21:14
It is important for this council to continue supporting Saipun Island is supported.
4:21:20
Thank you to your woman for this opportunity to testify on behalf of Staten Island today.