Preparedness: The Key to Empowerment in Uncertain Times

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][us_single_image image=”2771″ align=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Francisco has lived in New Jersey with his wife, Margarita, for a long time. They are distressed by recent news on immigration policy, and are afraid of what the future may look like for their family. They have made a solid life for themselves here and now they are worried that they could lose it all, by being “deported.” They have seen ads saying that if they pay $25000 they can “fix their documents” to avoid deportation. Is this truly the case? Since they are paying a mortgage in the US, how can they keep paying if they leave? Can they access their money if they move to Mexico?

Many members of the Hispanic community are asking themselves these sort of questions. In uncertain times, not having clear information on their financial rights makes it increasingly difficult for them to make informed decisions, to form a concrete plan of action for their families and it also puts them at an elevated risk of migratory scams.

What are we doing about it?

Beginning in November, QoLF recognized the threat of the new President’s agenda concerning immigration and the need for reliable information related to the financial and rights-based implications that members of our community would need to consider in the face of an unexpected immigration proceeding. For the next three months, we worked tirelessly with experts in the legal and financial fields driven by the notion that “there is no better way to fight for your rights, than being the most prepared you can be.”

We launched our new workshop “Get Prepared: Migratory Processes and your Money” in February and have since been able to deliver 18 workshops throughout the tristate area, reaching 273 families with tangible cases they can relate to, illuminating possible options to protect their financial assets, prevent migratory fraud, and highlighting the importance of saving and having an emergency plan.

We would like to publicly thank the collaborators on this project and the organizations who have received us in their community centers: Building One Community (Stamford, CT); Mi Casa Es Puebla (Passaic, NJ); Little Sisters of Assumption Health Family Services in (East Harlem, NY); St Jerome HANDS Community Center (South Bronx, NY); The Open Door (West Harlem, NY); Carroll Garden Association (South Brooklyn, NY); and Centro de Recursos Educativos para Adultos in (East Harlem, NY); Consulate General of Mexico (NY, NY); Asociación de Mexicanos en Connecticut (New Haven, CT); Mercy Center (Mott Haven, Bronx); and Mecenas (Corona, Queens).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][us_iconbox icon=”pencil” title=”Are you interested in taking this workshop? ” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fforms%2Fd%2Fe%2F1FAIpQLSfWPu3scBW9oP5DtO-KpW4rN1vQWs05FH9IqeGXTutILCs7Hw%2Fviewform|title:D%C3%A9janos%20tus%20datos%20aqu%C3%AD|target:%20_blank|”]Please, sign up here and we will contact you. [/us_iconbox][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][us_iconbox icon=”users” title=”Are you an organization interested in providing this workshop for your community?”]Please contact Nilbia Coyote, the Education Coordinator at Qualitas at academy@qualitasoflife.org[/us_iconbox][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_cta title=”Are you an individual or organization that wants to make this workshop available to more Hispanics? ” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nycharities.org%2Fgive%2Fdonate.aspx%3Fcc%3D2443%20|||” btn_label=”Donar”]Consider donating. While any and all donations are welcome:
$10,000 will allow us to directly impact 350 families
$6,000 will allow us to directly impact 200 families
$1,000 will allow us to directly impact 35 families
$500 will allow us to directly impact 15 families
$100 will allow us to directly impact 3 families
$30 will allow us to directly impact 1 family [/us_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row]