understanding the newly arriving central american children
TRANSCRIPT
Understanding the Newly Arriving Central American Children
• Why the children make the journey– Violence – Sexual violence– Poverty– Reunite with family
• Where they come fromNationally Long Island
Honduras (28%) El SalvadorGuatemala (25%) HondurasEl Salvador (23%) Guatemala
• How they get here: coyote or “the beast”
Background
Who Are These Children• Gender
65% are boys77% increase in girls
• Age On LI - 18 months – 17 years2013 – 9% were 12 years and younger2014 – 16% area 12 years and younger
Impact on Long Island• Long Island – 2600 children
New York State – 5000NYC – 1660
• Nassau – 1250 childrenHempstead (town & village is receiving the most children)
• Suffolk – 1360 childrenBrentwood, Central Islip, and Bay Shore combined are receiving more than HempsteadHuntington and Huntington StationRiverhead and the Hamptons
• Long Island – 5th largest Central American community in the country
Support for the Children• MercyFirst
Temporary shelter before reuniting with familyHouses up to 50 children at a timeChildren have been characterized as grateful and polite
• Catholic Charities Long Islandworked with 800 families this calendar year
• North Fork Spanish Apostolate
• Long Island Health and Welfare Council
What Do The Children Need• Compassion, Respect, Support
The children are turning to us for protection and safety We must treat them in a way that reflects our American values of fairness and justice
• Mental Heath CareTrauma experienced in their homeland and journey to the U.S.
• Educational SupportESL instructionGrade level assessmentEnrollment process
• Legal AssistanceUndocumented immigrants are not provided legal assistance
Easing the Transition for the Children and Long Island
• Federal and State FundingSchools enrolling these children need additional resources
• Local Government Support County and community officials need to address the needs of the childrenSupport organizations and schools that are already caring for them
• Support form the Faith CommunityMust be a bold public voice for the compassionate and just treatment of the children
Negative Community Reactions
• CommackCommunity uproar over church proposal to temporarily house 30 to 40 children
• School DistrictsEnrollment practices in question
• MediaTone
Messaging
Long Island WinsLocated at SUNY Old Westbury
Staff Maryann Sinclair SlutskyExecutive [email protected]
Christian BonawandtOnline [email protected]
Hendel LeivaWelcoming Long Island [email protected]
Laura LemusSpecial Projects [email protected]
www.longislandwins.com