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Q&A
Contingency plans for WeSpeak NYC participants from closed migrant shelters
2:35:36
·
97 sec
Council Member Justin Brannan asks about contingency plans for WeSpeak NYC participants from closed migrant shelters. MOIA officials explain the program structure and alternatives available to affected participants.
- Classes in shelters were run by OWASO, focusing on intermediate-level English
- Participants can join intermediate-level classes at participating New York Public Library sites
- WeSpeak NYC materials are available online for self-study
- MOIA funded New York City Public Library branches to provide English classes across their system
- The partnership with New York Public Libraries will continue with available funding
Justin Brannan
2:35:36
So what about the folks who attended classes at shelters that are now closed?
Lorena Lucero
2:35:42
Can you repeat the question?
2:35:43
I'm sorry I missed that.
Justin Brannan
2:35:44
Sure.
2:35:45
What was the backup plan to continue serving those who were attending classes at shelters that are now closed, migrant shelters?
Monique Francis
2:35:51
So
Lorena Lucero
2:35:51
the classes that are being held at shelters are run by our colleagues over at Owasso.
2:35:58
The focus of the classes that they were providing were intermediate level.
2:36:04
Folks who have completed those classes are open to join an intermediate level class at any NY New York Public Library site that's participating in a program.
2:36:14
So referral pathway is existing.
2:36:17
The beautiful thing about WeSpeak is also that individuals have the ability to take classes on their own and use the material that's existing on our website which is also available to all the learners.
Manuel Castro
2:36:28
And, Sheriff, if I can, just to give you more sort of awareness about the program.
2:36:33
About two years ago we decided to fund the New York City Public Library branches so that they can provide these English classes across their system so that we can connect newly arrived immigrants both in the shelter system and in our immigrant communities with access to these classes.
2:36:51
Prior to that, classes were provided by community based organizations on a voluntary basis, And we thought that this would be a good way for us to spread across, better spread across these classes.
2:37:05
Now, you know, with the available funding, we will continue this partnership with the New York Public Libraries, and we hope to continue to add resources to that.