July 21, 2023
Sunnyside – On Friday, July 21st, Council Member Julie Won hosted a sit-down, family-style dinner, and resource event at Sunnyside Community Services for migrants and asylum seekers living in District 26 shelters. The Council Member funded the event and worked with community partners to fill a growing need and provide targeted resources for employment, housing assistance, legal services, and more. Council Member Won has welcomed asylum seekers living in over 30 shelters in her district.
Queens Together worked with restaurants La Adelita and Arepa Lady to provide every guest with a nourishing, culturally competent dinner. The Council Member’s office also received hundreds of clothing donations from the community, available for guests to take for free.
Community Partners:
- Sunnyside Community Services
- Queens Together
- La Adelita
- Arepa Lady
- New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE)
- Voces Latinas
- The Legal Aid Society
- Catholic Migration Services
- MetroPlusHealth
- Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement
“Our new neighbors have traveled thousands of miles by foot risking their lives for hopes of a better future,” said Council Member Julie Won. “To welcome them, we hosted a dinner to build community with our new neighbors.
Since taking office, we have continued to advocate for critical resources including long-term housing, access to health and mental health services, as well as wraparound services to support our neighbors. Our state and federal government must do more to ensure we are providing pathways to permanent residency, expedited work authorizations, legal services, and more. Thank you to Sunnyside Shines, Queens Together, our community partners, and our neighbors who donated clothing, for helping us to support our neighbors.”
“This evening’s event provided a comforting meal with an extra helping of compassion and hospitality to guests from a neighboring migrant shelter,” said Jonathan Forgash, Executive Director of Queens Together. “We partnered with Sunnyside Community Services, restaurants La Adelita and Arepa Lady, and Councilwoman Julie Won who generously funded and spearheaded this event. Together, we demonstrated the power of community”
“We were delighted to collaborate with Council Member Julie Won and Queens Together to meet the newest members of our community. Joined by other community-based organizations, we provided a warm meal, clothing, and vital information on our programs and services. We hope our neighbors feel more welcomed, supported, and empowered with the information they need to adjust to life in Queens,” said Judy Zangwill, Executive Director, Sunnyside Community Services.