Innovative partnerships are a signature of the New Americans Campaign. Across the nation, organizations are coming together to promote the importance of citizenship and facilitate the naturalization process. The New York NAC site is exemplifying these inventive partnerships through its pairing with the Brooklyn Public Library.
As part of its 2013 launch of the Shelby White and Leon Levy Information Commons, the Brooklyn Public Library joined NAC partner Immigration Advocates Network (IAN) to host an event for legal permanent residents (LPRs) to apply for citizenship. Through the use of IAN’s CitizenshipWorks tool and the library’s physical space and technology, the event became a success and has established itself as a permanent fixture in the Library’s Central Branch.
The citizenship series now takes place on the third Friday of every month and other New York NAC partners have joined and contribute to the ongoing success of this partnership. While IAN supports the series through CitizenshipWorks, it rotates facilitation responsibilities with NAC partners CUNY Citizenship Now!, Catholic Migration Services, NALEO Educational Fund, International Rescue Committee, Church World Service, and Make the Road New York.
“The Brooklyn Public Library workshop series is an innovative way to leverage the space and technology available at the library and the legal expertise of NAC-NY partners, while empowering applicants to take control of their applications with CitizenshipWorks,” says Sandra Sandoval, Field Support Coordinator for IAN. “The Immigration Advocates Network is thrilled to support this monthly feature at the Brooklyn Public Library.”
Sign up online for a citizenship workshop at the Brooklyn Public Library. Walk-ins are also welcomed. Please contact Sandra Sandoval at 212-760-2554 extension 475 with any questions.