Advocacy and Outreach

We understand that a community organization's strength and the impact of its services depend greatly upon the trust and respect built with those for whom our services are intended and who we hope will lead these efforts in years to come. Understanding the various levels at which the issues we address operate, CARECEN's advocacy and outreach efforts are designed to empower community members, a pipeline of local leadership, and educate legislative and enforcement bodies about the needs of immigrant communities on Long Island.

In practice, these efforts have translated to discussions with police department chiefs about the need for dissociating immigration enforcement, particularly in cases where there are minor offenses involved, from their responsibilities as local law enforcement, discussions with county judges about the changing needs of immigrant communities in Nassau and Suffolk counties, through regularly scheduled immigration clinics, partnerships with immigrant youth organizations as well as universities in Long Island, and direct outreach to community members. CARECEN also provides workshops at schools, churches, and other community gatherings.

Through these various efforts, we seek to uphold the rights, respect, and dignity of immigrant communities on Long Island.