Riverside Language Community Resource Fair joined by Libertas Social Worker and Social Work Intern

On December 8th, Social Worker Jason Yu and Social Work Intern Malli Kamimura attended the Riverside Language Program Community Resource Fair! 130 Riverside students joined dozens of other community members to gather at the B’nai Jeshurun Community House in Manhattan. They connected with local resources, enrolled in training programs, and learned more about available social & workforce services. 

Jason and Malli enjoyed presenting on Libertas services and meeting so many dedicated, immigrant-focused programs in NYC! Thank you Riverside Language!

Fast Facts from Fiscal Year 2022

The Libertas Center is proud to have served survivors of torture for over 1.5 decades. As our program continues to grow, we're happy to share some #fastfacts on our clients and services from the past fiscal year. In FY22:

  • 368 clients were served by the Libertas Center, including 69 new clients

  • 91% of clients were seeking asylum at Libertas intake

  • 204 clients (55%) received Mental Health Services

  • 144 clients (39%) were primarily Spanish speaking 

  • >9,000 pro bono hours were contributed to the Libertas Center

We look forward to continuing to provide holistic, strengths-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate, dedicated, and compassionate medical, mental health, social, and legal services to our clients.

Community Connections: QBPO Immigrant Resource Fair

Libertas Center’s bilingual Social Worker, Cybele Martinez, talked with Queens residents about our services.

On a wonderful autumn Saturday in the Park of the Americas in Corona, Libertas connected with more than 50 community members and over a dozen organizations at the Queens Immigrant Resource Fair. The event was hosted and facilitated by the Queens Borough President Donovan Richard’s Office.

Community members received free medical supplies, helpful tips for recently arrived immigrants, and important contact information for other services and city agencies. At the Libertas table, we made stress balls with those who stopped by to connect over an activity and as a way to remember our program! We enjoyed adding smiley faces and other designs to them as we explained our medical, mental health, social, and legal services.

By the end of the day, Libertas Social Worker, Cybele Martinez, and Libertas Program Assistant, Flint Christian, were masters at making stress balls to help alleviate tension.

We're excited about any opportunity to connect with potential clients and partner organizations as we return to in-person events in a safe and cautious manner. We look forward to future events where we represent our work and broaden our community connections.

Thank you to the Queens Borough President's Office and Donovan Richards for hosting the Resource Fair and for their outreach!

Libertas OB/GYN Physician Organizes Doula Resource Fair and Libertas Staff Attend

On August 3rd, the Libertas Center attended the HoPE Doula Resource Fair! The HoPE Community Doula Program is a new initiative that provides doula support to any pregnant person seeking care at Elmhurst or Queens Hospitals. We were thrilled to participate in the resource fair and learn more about the amazing benefits that doulas provide. Thank you to Dr. Sheela Maru who leads the HoPE program and is a dedicated Libertas physician!

You can read more here: https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/pressrelease/elmhurst-and-queens-launch-hope-doula-program/ 

A Wonderful World Refugee Day Festival!

Libertas staff and clients had an amazing experience at the World Refugee Day Community Arts Festival in Brooklyn.

Artists, performers, community members, and a host of community-based organizations gathered on Sunday for the 6th Annual World Refugee Day Community Arts Festival. It was a wonderful celebration filled with music, theater, song, dance, paintings, and more.

Libertas clients gave incredible performances. One client opened the Festival with energy and passion on conga drums. Another sang beautifully and inspired the whole crowd to dance. Another helped bring the Festival to a close with a stoic, powerful reading of their memoir about their time in exile.

Executive Director Dr. Dinali Fernando spoke on behalf of Libertas and advocated for services. Libertas clients were a key part of the Festival as they showcased their talents and connected with the community.

You can read more about performers and their performances here! You can also check out photos from the World Refugee Day Festival on the Conservatory’s website here.

Thank you to all who attended the Festival and stopped by the Libertas Center table! We are grateful for your support.

In celebration of World Refugee Day, the Libertas Center is hoping to raise $4,000 for Libertas clients' emergency needs. Thank you for your support!