MOIA launches $2 million initiative to support newly arrived Ukrainian New Yorkers

The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) has launched $2 million initiative to support newly arrived Ukrainian New Yorkers.

Commissioner Manuel Castro announced this in a statement on Thursday June 16, 2022.

According to the statement, MOIA launched New York City’s Ukrainian Response Initiative and announced the non-profit organizations that will be contracted to help currently residing and newly arrived Ukrainian New Yorkers access immigration legal assistance, translation services, social services, and other resources.

“From accessing immigration legal services to connecting families to health services and school enrollment, we will continue to respond to the immediate needs of New York City’s Ukrainian community,” said Manuel Castro, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA).

“As more Ukrainians continue to arrive, we look to achieve this critical work by working hand in hand with community groups that have a demonstrated ability to connect immigrants and refugees to legal resources and city services in a culturally and linguistically responsive way.”

“As a city of immigrants, New York City is home to the largest Ukrainian population in America, and that is why we stand ready, with open arms, to provide all the support we can to Ukrainian New Yorkers,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

“These non-profit organizations will ensure critical resources are available to both currently residing and newly arrived Ukrainians, and we are eager to help,” he added.

“As Ukraine experiences an ongoing war there is increasing urgency to provide support where possible to our growing New York City Ukrainian community,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom.

“I am proud to stand with MOIA in their continued efforts to ensure services, including legal support, are available to those in need and welcome all new neighbors to our city with open arms.”

“I know firsthand the pain of having to leave your home as a refugee and I applaud Mayor Eric Adams’ commitment to supporting the Ukrainian community in New York City and those people who will arrive in our City due to the continued hardships they face as a result of this unjust war,” said Edward Mermelstein, Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs.

“My office ensures New Yorkers, including foreign-born nationals, have access to New York City services and resources through strong collaborations with sister agencies and Consulates.

“I look forward to working closely with members of the Adams Administration, including Commissioner Castro, the representatives of non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure these services and resources reach all the people that need them.”

Initially announced in April 2022, the Ukrainian Response Initiative will include community outreach, immigration legal assistance, comprehensive case management, direct emergency cash assistance,
language access, benefits navigation, and community-based organization capacity building.