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Q&A
Impact of immigration issues on service usage and organizational adaptations
1:29:04
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124 sec
Council Member Schulman inquires about the impact of current immigration issues on service usage and outreach strategies. Representatives from various organizations share their experiences, revealing a mixed picture of increased demand in some areas and decreased visible attendance in others.
- KFSC reports an increase in calls to their 24-hour hotline
- Council of People's Organization notes a 20% decrease in food pantry line attendance, but continued need through alternative distribution methods
- Homecrest Community Services sees an increase in naturalization form requests
- Asian American Federation reports adaptations like online trainings and fluctuating demand based on current events
Lynn C. Schulman
1:29:04
Hi.
1:29:05
Thank you all for testifying, and I know many of you.
1:29:08
So I have a question, which is, do you find, given the immigration issues that are going on, that people are coming less for the services?
1:29:17
And if so, how are you reaching out to them?
1:29:20
And the reason I'm asking is because, obviously, the numbers are gonna show that we need to give you money.
1:29:25
And if they fall off, then somebody's going to say, oh, well, they don't have enough peep you know what I'm saying?
Jeehae Fischer
1:29:30
Yeah.
Gale A. Brewer
1:29:30
Yeah.
Jeehae Fischer
1:29:30
So, actually, at KFSC, we hear this from other organizations.
1:29:34
But because our, location is confidential Mhmm.
1:29:39
Due to the work, we have a twenty four hour hotline.
1:29:43
We're actually getting more calls.
Mohammad Razvi
1:29:45
Mhmm.
1:29:45
Okay.
Lynn C. Schulman
1:29:46
How about the rest?
Mohammad Razvi
1:29:47
Mhmm.
1:29:48
Yeah.
1:29:48
So our food pantry line, actually, 20% we lost.
1:29:52
However, but the friends who are coming, say, my friend's not gonna come.
1:29:55
Can I take the bag?
1:29:57
So the food is still needed Right.
1:29:59
Other words for them, but they're not showing up on the line.
1:30:02
And what we have implemented, was something I wish all organizations do this, all of our storefront says, you know, members only or by appointment only, so no one can enter from public into the And then, lastly, what we are doing is we're actually delivering the food to the people's home,
Christopher Leon Johnson
1:30:21
especially our seniors.
Lynn C. Schulman
1:30:22
Just keep make sure you keep track
UNKNOWN
1:30:23
of Yeah.
Mohammad Razvi
1:30:24
Yeah.
1:30:24
That's what we're doing.
1:30:25
Okay.
Alice Mo
1:30:26
At Homecrest, at our Sunset Park Center, which has a high immigrant population, we have recently seen just more people coming in trying to get naturalization forms because of the fears.
Hailey Nolasco
1:30:40
Yeah.
1:30:41
Okay.
Andrew Sta. Ana
1:30:43
What we hear from members and partners is, of course, that they have to adapt.
1:30:46
So maybe trainings or education things that they've done in person, they've been taking place online.
1:30:51
And I think what we've heard from members and partners is it ebbs and flows.
1:30:54
Right?
1:30:54
Depending on what's happening in the news, there might be more or less demand or fear.
1:30:59
So I think, you know, that trifecta of increased ICE or immigration activity to other things of food in insecurity, I think folks are modulating based on what's happening in the news.