A Riverside Encounter

I was at PJ Clarke's, having a snack with my partner after a film screening at Lincoln Center. Our waiter spoke with thoughtful deliberation. He was probably not a native English speaker, but he took great care with his words. He double checked with us to ensure that he had gotten the order correctly.

Later he presented me and my partner with the check. When I asked him if he was from Russia the waiter said, yes. I mentioned that I recognized his accent because I was volunteering as a group conversation leader at an immigrant services community center called the Riverside Language Program. His face lit up. He told us that he had studied at that school and had gained so much English language proficiency that they guided him to a more advanced course. I asked the gentleman what he did in Russia. He replied that he was a lawyer. My partner, who is not a reticent sort, then told the waiter that I was a retired judge. After expressing his admiration, the gentleman told us that he had been accepted at Fordham Law School and at that moment we were all looking in marvel at that very school building right across the street.

As my partner and I were leaving the restaurant the waiter called out to us, "Thank you for volunteering at Riverside, thank you for Riverside."


Eleanor MacDonald
Riverside Volunteer

Buunni Coffee Visit

Riverside students recently had the exciting opportunity to tour Buunni Coffee’s roasting facility in the Bronx, warmly welcomed by founders Sarina and Elias, an inspiring husband-and-wife team. Since founding Buunni Coffee in 2012 after moving from Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, Sarina and Elias have brought Ethiopian hospitality and rich coffee flavors to the U.S. During the visit, they shared their entrepreneurial journey, offering our students valuable insights into resilience, business ownership, and the craft of coffee roasting.

Exciting Staffing Changes at Riverside

Riverside is pleased to announce two strategic staffing changes that will significantly enhance Riverside's ability to grow and develop its programs and services.

We are thrilled to introduce Vivian Soto as Riverside's Workforce Development Program Manager, a new position at Riverside. Vivian brings extensive experience in public affairs, business outreach, and economic development. In her previous work, she has collaborated with government agencies and community stakeholders to support small business initiatives. She has led impactful workforce development programs, including the Regional Workforce Alliance in Los Angeles. Vivian's expertise and passion will be instrumental in expanding our workforce development initiatives and creating new opportunities for our community members.

We are also excited to announce Elizabeth Sprenger's well-deserved promotion to Lead Instructor. Elizabeth has been integral to the Riverside family for over 20 years, teaching participants across all levels. In her new role, Elizabeth will coordinate and advance innovation in our language program, ensure Riverside's representation at field conferences and presentations, and align the language program with Riverside's other programs and services. This promotion recognizes Elizabeth's dedication, expertise, and invaluable contributions to our organization.

We're excited about the positive impact these changes will have on our organization and the community we serve. Please join us in welcoming Vivian Soto to the Riverside team and congratulating Elizabeth Sprenger on her promotion.

Empowering Voices: Riverside Joins NYC Participatory Budgeting Initiative

As part of our commitment to civic and community engagement work, Riverside will hold a special training session on Participatory Budgeting for participants on November 7th in partnership with the League of Women Voters of New York City (LWVNYC).

Participatory Budgeting is a unique opportunity for all New Yorkers to propose creative solutions to address city problems regardless of background or status. These ideas are developed into ballot proposals and voted on by residents in each borough. Winning projects receive funding and will be implemented starting in July 2025.

This program, now in its third year and managed by the Civic Engagement Committee (CEC), is particularly significant for our community. It provides new immigrants and refugees with a concrete way to actively participate in the allocation of City funding and engage as community stakeholders. It's a powerful tool for civic integration and empowerment. 

For more information about the Citywide Participatory Budgeting process, visit the CEC's online platform at participate.nyc.gov, where you can find translated materials and informative videos. Let's make our voices heard and help shape the future of New York City!

Honoring Brian Kohn: A Dedicated Mentor

Some people leave an indelible mark on the lives they touch. Brian Kohn was one such individual. Brian was a dedicated mentor at Riverside whose impact continues to resonate with those he guided.

Brian became a mentor in December 2021. During that time, he generously shared his time and wisdom with four mentees, working with them on career and educational advancement needs.

His impact is evident in the heartfelt testimonials from his mentees:

  • Feruza Kassimova described Brian as having "a beautiful heart," praising his caring and empathetic nature. She highlighted how Brian went above and beyond, not only helping her build a resume building and offering career advice but also sharing valuable insights about life in the city.

  • Marta Buktyuk fondly remembered Brian as "a very intelligent person," recounting their wide-ranging conversations on numerous topics. She appreciated his unique perspective on American culture and life.

  • Nastassia Zharnouskaya credited Brian with helping her navigate job interviews, noting the significant difference his assistance made in her preparation and practice.

His mentorship extended beyond professional guidance. Brian shared personal stories, offered useful ‘life hacks,’ and even introduced one mentee to his grandfather via Zoom, creating connections that transcended the typical mentor-mentee relationship.

Sadly, on August 20, 2022, Brian passed away. His all-too-brief but profound impact on our mentoring program exemplifies the power of volunteerism and the far-reaching effects of genuine care and dedication. His approach—personal, empathetic, and holistic—brought immeasurable value to our community and organization.

To honor Brian’s commitment and dedication, Brian’s family is making a contribution to Riverside that will support ongoing programs and services for new immigrants and refugees. They have given us permission to share this story with our community so that his memory can continue to inspire our volunteers, encouraging them to approach each interaction with the same level of care, wisdom, and openness that Brian so naturally embodied.

We are so grateful for Brian Kohn's service and express our condolences to his family.

Beyond the Elections: Riverside’s Commitment to the Immigrant Community

Over the last few weeks, I've found myself in a state of denial, avoiding stressful "what if" conversations and apocalyptic predictions. My mind has been resisting the possibility of going back to 2016.

However, in an effort to be proactive and prepared, Riverside has embarked on election scenario planning. This process has forced me to confront the stark possibility that we might soon face an even more hostile anti-immigrant climate than before. So, how does one prepare for next week’s election?

Most importantly, Riverside will remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting and empowering our immigrant community regardless of the election outcome. We recognize that while the candidates differ dramatically in their policy plans for immigrants in the United States, substantial work remains to be done in reforming immigration policies and creating pathways to citizenship.

Our approach will be to develop robust, comprehensive strategies ensuring we can continue effectively serving and advocating for our community, no matter the political landscape.

These strategies focus on six key areas:
 

1. Amplifying Immigrant Voices: Creating more platforms for participants to share their stories, ensuring their experiences are heard and understood.

2. Empowering Through Knowledge: Equipping our community with resources and critical information about policy changes, their rights, and available support systems.

3. Adaptability and Responsiveness: Our programs are designed to swiftly adapt to changing needs, responding to policy shifts and embracing new integration opportunities.

4. Comprehensive Support Services: Strengthening community engagement, legal partnerships, and mental health services to provide holistic support.

5. Advocacy and Collaboration: Doubling down on our efforts to advocate for fair policies and collaborate with local agencies to improve service delivery.

6. Fostering Integration and Success: Scaling up our capacity to serve immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, focusing on education, job training, and civic engagement programs.

Riverside is committed to providing a safe, supportive environment where all individuals can thrive, regardless of their immigration status. We will work with all stakeholders to fight for justice and create opportunities for our immigrant population's success and growth.

Berta Colón
Executive Director

Eduardo Salazar TED Talk

We are proud to share that Riverside's Alumni Leadership Council member, Eduardo Salazar is having a TED Talk on April 12, at 10 am.  Eduardo is from Venezuela and attended Riverside in 2019. He recently graduated from CUNY’s Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. While at CUNY, Eduardo interned with CNN International and Atlanta, and has since worked as a freelancer for the New York Times.  His TED Talk is part of a CUNY series called Unravel, and will focus on the mental health, wellbeing, and resilience of the immigrant community; particularly asylum seekers. We encourage our community to attend and show support for our wonderful alum! Tickets are on sale here.

You can learn more about Eduardo's upcoming TED Talk here! 

Riverside Food Program

Riverside volunteers consistently impress us with their dedication and care. About six months ago, as we discussed the growing food access issues many of our program participants face, one volunteer took action. In coordination with Riverside staff, she launched the Riverside Food Program. This initiative is designed to ensure that everyone in the Riverside community has access to nutritious, wholesome food. A crucial aspect of this program is mobilizing other volunteers in a multi-pronged approach to secure food.

Activities include:

  • Identifying potential vendors with surplus food to donate.

  • Conducting outreach to food pantries and other non-profit organizations focused on food security and nutrition.

  • Preparing donated food for participant lunches.

  • Making substantial food donations to those in need within the community.

The program has already made a huge difference, allowing Riverside to introduce fresh foods in the lunches it provides and expand the number of participants who benefit. We are grateful for this committed and hardworking group of volunteers!

Know Your Rights Workshop

As part of our Community and Civic Engagement program, Riverside partnered with Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC to conduct a Know Your Rights training session for our Cycle 4 participants. This comprehensive training was translated into several languages, including Spanish, French, Ukrainian, Russian, and Chinese.

The training provided a general overview of participants' basic rights under the U.S. Constitution, the types of policing forces they might encounter, their capabilities and limitations, and the role of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). It also covered common tactics used by ICE and how to respond to them, as well as how to develop an emergency plan for legal assistance.

The training provided by the Cabrini team not only equipped participants with practical skills but also instilled confidence and a sense of agency. This training was a crucial and empowering step towards improving their ability to navigate life in New York City.

Get To Know: Yasemin

We recently sat down with a Riversider, Yasemin Kinis to discuss her passion for Riverside, learning English and working towards her goal of going to college! Yasemin is a proud member and leader of our Alumni Network.  She shared that she truly values getting together with other alumni, hearing their stories & remembering that she has a network of friends she can rely on here at Riverside.

Alumni Network

On Thursday, March 7th, 2024, Riverside relaunched its Alumni Network. Over fifty former participants attended the event. The gathering gave us and our alums a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, learn more about what they are currently doing and collect feedback on what they need in terms of ongoing support.

Many great stories were shared that evening, but one in particular underscored the importance of building a community at Riverside. Five former participants who attended back in 2019 came together. They met each other in our Level 1 class and have been friends ever since. In fact, two of them fell in love and got married - a Riverside love story!  

The Alumni Network is a key part of Riverside's ongoing efforts to foster a sense of continuity and connection among our graduates. Our goal is for the network to evolve into a vibrant, engaged community that helps our alums stay connected, share experiences, and inspire and support each other. The network will also provide continued learning and growth opportunities for alums by offering workshops, training sessions, and networking events.