We are so proud to have Riverside's Executive Director, Berta Colón, highlighted as one of the exceptional women leading organizations that are supported by Columbia University's Columbia Community Service. Read the full article here.
What’s your inspiration for serving in your current role?
"My parents. Like many children of parents who did not speak English when they came to the U.S., I often served as their translator and witnessed firsthand how they were treated with disrespect and disdain simply because they did not know the language. My parents did not have the benefit of an organization like Riverside. They pieced together bits of English and worked in factories under terrible conditions to build a new life in New York City. They had hopes and dreams that slowly disappeared with time. Riverside provides immigrants and refugees with the programs, training, and access to services they need to stay focused and accomplish their personal and professional goals."
Workforce Development
Riverside Language Program's Workforce Development Program provides participants with the essential tools for success in the competitive job market of New York City. These small, focused classes help participants hone their interview skills, craft American-style resumes (CVs), and learn the art of effective networking.
Here are some key updates:
Over 60 students have participated
With just 10 concentrated hours of training, more than a third of participating students have landed jobs
Another 30% have been placed in sector-specific training programs
Success Stories:
A former nurse from El Salvador secured a job as a nurse assistant making $500 a week.
A Ukrainian student who wanted to switch careers and become a baker, landed a job as a production baker at Russ & Daughters.
A Brazilian student who was formerly a special education teacher was hired as a Home Health Aide.
A Russian Level 2 student landed a job as a dental assistant.
We're also excited to announce the upcoming launch of a dedicated Riverside alumni group on LinkedIn, fostering a vibrant community where past and present students can connect, share insights, and support one another's professional journeys throughout the city. At Riverside, we're not just teaching language; we're empowering futures.
Graduation Highlights!
Our latest Instagram reel captures the impact of our graduation ceremonies, showcasing the immense significance these moments hold for our community of participants. Beyond teaching English, our mission is to cultivate a tight-knit community that fosters connections among people from diverse backgrounds while nurturing unshakeable confidence in each participant. Check out the video now and get inspired!
Lessons Learned in Seneca Village
Instructor Kate Gill loves sharing the history of Seneca Village with her students each cycle. A bit from Kate: "Do you know about the village reduced to rubble to make way for Central Park? Some students have been to the park, and for others, it was their first time to Central Park-- but for all, the story of Seneca Village was new-- and at the same time the story of getting pushed out-- not unfamiliar.
For many, the story of the Government coming in and saying "You need to move" lines up with their experience. The thriving diverse village with the largest number of middle-class African American homeowners in NYC who welcomed Irish and German immigrant homes owners; the only truly integrated community in NYC where people lived, intermarried, had children, baptized & educated their children in churches and school-- that village was all destroyed to make way for Central Park."
5th Annual International Food Festival
Oh, what a night! Our 5th annual International Food Festival was a resounding success, as it celebrated the diverse talents of our current Riverside participants who delighted our taste buds with an array of international cuisines. Beyond the gastronomic delights, our audience was moved by the inspiring stories shared by past students, showcasing the tools Riverside can provide immigrants, asylums, and refugees in NYC as they find success in America. We are profoundly grateful to our dedicated community whose support has been key to keeping Riverside running. It's your commitment that has allowed us to see a 60% increase in ticket sales to our Food Festival compared to last year – a testament to your unwavering belief in our mission. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!
20 Years of Jennafer!
After 20 years, our extraordinary TESOL instructor, Jennafer D'Alvia, has embarked on an exciting new teaching adventure. Jennafer has been the guiding light in our participants' language-learning journey, igniting passion and transforming lives.
Her unwavering dedication will leave an indelible mark on our staff, current participants, and past students. Jennafer's commitment to the positive environment she has cultivated here will be sorely missed. Jennafer, as you embark on this new chapter, we wholeheartedly wish you the very best of luck. May this next journey bring you endless opportunities to inspire, teach, and uplift. Thank you, Jennafer, for being an exceptional educator.
Changing Demographics: Riverside Welcomes A Growing Community of West African Participants
The demographics of Riverside's participants continue to change, paralleling world trends. While a significant number of applicants continue to be Russian and Ukrainian, we also saw a sharp increase in the number of asylum seekers from West African countries, specifically the Republic of Guinea, Mali, and Senegal. These three countries have been experiencing violent armed conflict, human rights violations, and displacement.
Despite the crisis in these countries, no mass call for Temporary Protective Status has been issued. These asylum seekers face significant challenges. They lack work authorizations, have unstable housing, and have no guarantee of securing permanent status in the United States. And yet, their tenacity and hard work is undeniable. Riverside is committed to supporting all immigrants and ensuring that anyone fleeing war and humanitarian crises is supported and provided with basic necessities and opportunities to build a new life.
Riverside in Forbes
Forbes Magazine recently published two Riverside articles emphasizing the importance of hiring immigrants in New York City and across the United States. The articles, written by Riverside's Executive Director Berta Colón for Forbes EQ Program, focus on the need for culturally sensitive hiring managers and encourage employers to look beyond resumes that may not fully reflect an applicant's abilities. Another key takeaway is the importance of fostering a workplace environment that genuinely supports immigrants.
Read her Forbes article to discover the transformative potential of embracing immigrants, asylees, and refugees in the workplace. You can read more here about how Riverside prepares participants for interviews, the workplace, and beyond. We are thrilled to report that over 114,000 people have viewed these articles, bringing awareness of Riverside students' capabilities to an audience of hiring managers, HR representatives, and C-Suite executives nationwide.
NYC's New Immigrants and the Right to Shelter
In the last year, over 140,000 immigrants, asylees, and refugees have arrived in New York City. Their need for social services and support has been significant, as many have come fleeing war and persecution.
New York City has long been a beacon for new immigrants, but unfortunately, as the impact of the recent waves has become more visible and inconvenient, the welcoming sentiment has dissipated. The administration and even some long-time community supporters have moved away from broadly welcoming new immigrants.
It is important to acknowledge that the surge in new immigrants has put a significant strain on the City and its resources. Even before the first waves arrived, city agencies and non-profits struggled to meet service demand. However, punitive short-term solutions that put new immigrants in harm's way are not the solution. We encourage our community to continue supporting front-line organizations delivering critical services to new arrivals and to advocate for better policies and increased investments. At the federal level, it means reaching out to our state senators so that more federal funds are provided to the City to help offset the costs of increased services. At the City level, urging the administration to move away from dangerous policies and work with business and non-profit leaders to coordinate and strategize on long-term, viable solutions.
Chipping away at safeguards such as the right to shelter, which offers anyone the right to shelter and food, will only lead to thousands of vulnerable people being forced to live on the streets. Evicting families after a 60-day stay in a shelter will only ensure that children, who often rely on school meals and the protective space of a classroom, will be shuffled from school to school, go hungry, miss critical learning time, and be exposed to potentially dangerous congregate settings.
Riverside Language Program continues its unwavering commitment to supporting newly arrived immigrants and will continue to work with field allies, city agencies, and advocates to provide as many safeguards as possible and advocate for policies that uphold our City's constitutional commitment to support those in need.