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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Emily D., Youth Leader from Circle Keepers
8:02:31
ยท
142 sec
Emily D., a Colombian immigrant and youth leader from Circle Keepers, testifies about the need for increased investment in education for New York City students. She emphasizes the importance of resources, counseling, and support for immigrant students, drawing from her personal experiences.
- Calls for $80 million to place restorative justice coordinators in 500 schools
- Advocates for $4 million baseline funding for immigrant family communication
- Highlights the disparity between funding for police versus students in schools
Emily D.
8:02:31
Good afternoon.
8:02:33
My name is Emily Duenas, and I go to school right here in Downtown Manhattan.
8:02:37
I'm a youth leader for a nonprofit organization called the Circle Keepers.
8:02:42
And I would like to thank Sher Joseph and the members to Education Committee for convening this hearing.
8:02:50
We are here demanding that the city invest more money into education of millions students in New York City.
8:02:57
And I have a question for everyone.
8:03:00
Would you imagine a day where every youth is able to understand and really love school and being able to find new paths in their life?
8:03:09
Well, I imagine a war where counselors and teachers are more considerate in work areas.
8:03:15
By tutoring kids and allow them to have more resources and programs to higher education, will create the part the best part of them, just like me in seventh grade.
8:03:25
I'm a Colombian immigrant, and I couldn't reach out for help to learn more about the topics that I was passionate about.
8:03:32
School resources were limited and not available for me.
8:03:36
I had a hard time trying to figure out the things that were taught to me.
8:03:40
With more research and orientation, I will probably have gotten a better grade on my algebra regions and got into a specialized high school.
8:03:49
But unfortunately, they're to explain the process of learning any of that.
8:03:54
Without math and English, I felt I couldn't access to it, and it could be winds of my future.
8:04:00
But I saw how much money was given out to the police instead students.
8:04:04
That makes schools a place where learning was not important.
8:04:07
It made me feel like a bear trap without a way to look forward in the sky.
8:04:12
In partnership with the Silk Keepers and Dignity and Schools Coalition, were demanded that we have $80,000,000 to place restorative justice coordinators in 500 schools.
8:04:25
We also called for protection of immigrant students and family baseline $4,000,000 in immigrant family communication.
8:04:33
As an immigrant in the public school system, I see how crucial and valuable this will be to all immigrants.
8:04:42
We need to speak up for our students and demand the resource for them to receive help.
8:04:48
We need to invest in students' education instead of focusing only on the privileged kids.
8:04:53
Thank you.