Experienced immigrants will teach newcomers the intricacies of life in New York

On March 4, Mayor Manuel Castro of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) announced $600 in funding for the Immigrant Peer Navigator Program. It aims to directly help newly arrived immigrants in New York.

“We are very pleased to introduce the Immigrant Peer Navigator Program. This is an innovative approach to meeting the needs of newly arrived migrants and will strengthen bonds within New York's immigrant community,” Castro said. “Our long-standing partnerships with community organizations have played a critical role in providing essential services to immigrants throughout the city. We welcome the opportunity to tap into these networks to build connections between longtime immigrants and newcomers.”

The Immigrant Peer Navigator Program is a first-of-its-kind program that will pair 250 long-time immigrants in New York with 250 newly arrived asylum seekers. Their communication will take place through 6 special sessions. Longtime immigrants will mentor new arrivals and give them advice on how to survive in New York. These include finding work, housing and building community connections.

The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs works with nine immigration community organizations. They will screen newcomers and select mentors. Each participant will receive a $599 scholarship. And to get it, you need to participate in the program from beginning to end.

Organizations participating in the program:

• African Communities Together
• African Services Committee
• Aid for Life
• Catholic Charities
• Fundavenyc
• La Colmena
• Mexican Coalition
• Mixteca
• New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE)

Mentor Requirements: New York City resident, affiliation with a listed charity (membership, current or former client). A mentor can be an immigrant who understands the challenges that newly arrived migrants face and is willing to share personal experiences in overcoming these challenges. In addition, the mentor must communicate in the same language as the assigned mentee.

Requirement for wards: Asylum seekers who have recently arrived in New York (including those living in a shelter) can participate in the program.