Impact
In The Community
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on December 10, 2024, to include new information about the closure of the Floyd Bennett Field shelter, announced shortly after the original publication.
In a significant move to protect vulnerable migrant families, New York City officials announced the closure of the Floyd Bennett Field shelter in Brooklyn, which houses approximately 2,000 asylum-seeking families. This decision, driven by concerns about potential federal enforcement under the incoming Trump administration, signals a response to advocates' urgent calls for action.
A Highly Vulnerable Shelter
Established in late 2023 in response to an overwhelming influx of migrants arriving at the southern border, Floyd Bennett Field (FBF)was meant to be a temporary solution. Located within the Gateway National Recreation Area, it’s unique among other New York City emergency shelters for its location on a former naval air station on federal property, managed by the National Park Service.
The site currently houses families in large tents. Residents come from a variety of backgrounds, including Venezuela, Ecuador, Haiti, Guinea, and China, most of them fleeing economic and political turmoil. The conditions, however, have been widely criticized. Families share communal bathrooms and showers, while the tents, subdivided into individual spaces, offer limited protection against the elements. Additionally, the area is secluded, miles away from services like schools, and it’s prone to flooding, storms, and winds.
New Developments: Timeline for Closure and Relocation
City officials have laid out a timeline for the shelter’s closure. Families will be moved out by January 15, just before the new administration takes office. The broader plan includes shutting down 25 shelters across the city by March, including hotels and other temporary facilities, as the number of new migrant arrivals has steadily declined over the past five months.
Mayor Eric Adams stated, “We’re going to continue looking for more sites to consolidate and close, and more opportunities to save taxpayer money, as we continue to successfully manage this response,” as reported by The New York Times. The closure of the shelter marks a turning point in New York City’s handling of the migrant crisis. For the asylum-seeking families that have been living there, this decision offers both relief and uncertainty. While relocation promises improved conditions, the lack of affordable housing and comprehensive support remains a hurdle.
Advocacy Efforts Leading Up to Positive Change
Concerns about the fate of the Floyd Bennett Field shelter reached a tipping point as advocacy groups warned of the risks associated with its location on federal land. Advocates, including Venezuelan-American Susie Jaramillo, a Brooklyn resident and a founding member of Floyd Bennett Field Neighbors (FBFN), played a pivotal role in pressuring city officials to act. FBFN has been at the forefront of efforts to protect the nearly 2,000 asylum-seeking families housed at the shelter, highlighting the urgent need for relocation to safer accommodations.
Luz Media reached out to FBFN via email and connected with Jaramillo to discuss the efforts they make for these asylum-seeking families. “Mayor Adams must urgently close Floyd Bennett Field, a federal land shelter housing 2,000 asylum-seeking families in NYC, before January 20 to protect vulnerable residents from potential federal raids and relocate them to safer accommodations, upholding the city's legacy as a refuge or risk devastating trauma on hundreds of families, betraying our roots as a sanctuary city and detonating a powder keg of conflicts in NYC,” she stated.
This call to action from FBFN and other advocacy groups resonated with community leaders and city officials, contributing to the decision to close the shelter.
How the Community Took Action
Leading up to the decision to close the FBF shelter, community organizations stepped up to address the critical needs of families living there, effectively creating a lifeline for residents in a precarious situation. FBFN is one such group providing on-the-ground support. This mutual aid group mobilizes an extensive network of volunteers and resources to address immediate needs and improve living conditions for the nearly 2,000 residents at the shelter.
Since November 2023, FBFN has provided essential supplies to over 700 families. These include warm winter clothing, shoes, strollers, backpacks, toys, and other necessities through donations and their continually updated Target and Amazon wish lists. FBFN has also played a pivotal role in fostering communication within the shelter. The group has established the largest internal communication network at the facility, enabling residents to share vital information and connect with one another.
FBFN's efforts are not limited to direct aid. They also collaborate with the Mayor's Office, NYC Health & Hospitals—the agency overseeing the shelter—and other local NGOs and mutual aid groups as well to help families access essential services and support. Equally as important, they’re pushing for systemic change along with other groups by urging Mayor Eric Adams to relocate families to safer, more permanent shelters across the city.
“The number of arriving asylum seekers has also been dropping for months, and there is more capacity to move Floyd Bennett families into other shelters and hotels. Most of the families at FBF have applied for asylum, and many parents have received their work permits. They are eager to find apartments or rooms to rent and to leave the shelter system,” Jaramillo shared with Luz Media. By facilitating their relocation, the city can not only provide immediate relief but also support families in achieving long-term stability.What Lies Ahead
As the city winds down its emergency shelter operations, advocates and policymakers are calling for sustained efforts to support migrant families. From improving asylum processes to expanding employment opportunities, the next steps will be critical in ensuring New York maintains its legacy as a sanctuary city.
“Beyond relocation, the City and State can pass a number of policies to make sure Floyd Bennett families and all immigrants in New York feel welcome and have the support they need to thrive in their new home. These could include expanding English classes and legal services to help new immigrants quickly gain the freedom to work, allowing more asylum seekers to fill unfilled positions in City and State government, and making health insurance accessible to undocumented New Yorkers,” Jaramillo added.
With just over a month until the transition of federal power, the spotlight remains on Mayor Adams and his administration to execute the relocation plan efficiently while preparing for the challenges ahead. For the families at Floyd Bennett Field, the move marks a new chapter in their journey toward stability and hope.
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The Latino Donor Collaborative launched the LDC Latina Initiative in New York City on November 19th, 2024. The history-making initiative aims to empower Latinas through cutting-edge reports, impactful events, and transformative programs. It also serves to uplift Latina voices and pave the way for a new era of leadership and innovation. The initiative comes at a crucial time, as recent economic data highlights the immense and growing impact of Latinas on the U.S. economy and culture.
The Economic Powerhouse of Latinas
The Latina GDP 2024 Report reveals a staggering economic contribution by Latinas, with their GDP reaching $1.3 trillion in 2021. To put this into perspective, if U.S. Latinas were their own country, their economic output would surpass that of major economies like Italy or Canada. This figure is part of the broader U.S. Latino GDP, which the 2023 LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report values at $3.2 trillion, ranking it as the fifth largest GDP in the world if it were an independent nation.
The growth rate of the Latina GDP is particularly impressive, expanding by 51.1% from 2010 to 2021, more than doubling the growth rate of the non-Hispanic GDP. This rapid expansion demonstrates that Latinas aren’t just participating in the economy; they are actively driving its growth and resilience.
Some highlights of the ways Latinas continue to make significant strides in the labor market and education include:
- The workforce participation rate for Latinas stands at 60.5%, surpassing that of non-Hispanic women.
- Latinas account for 30.2% of the total labor force growth since 2010.
- The number of Latinas with bachelor's degrees increased by 103% from 2010 to 2021, three times the growth rate of non-Hispanic women.
- Latinos (representing 19% of the U.S. population) were responsible for 39% of GDP growth in the U.S. during 2020 and 2021.
These achievements are particularly noteworthy given the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Need for the LDC Latina Initiative
Despite these impressive achievements, challenges remain. The persistent wage gap and underrepresentation in leadership roles indicate that there's still work to be done to ensure equal opportunities for Latinas. This is where the LDC Latina Initiative becomes crucial.
The initiative aims to address several key areas:
- Addressing Gender Disparities: By focusing on the unique challenges Latinas face in the workplace and entrepreneurship, the initiative can help break down barriers to success.
- Empowering Future Leaders: Nurturing the next generation of Latina leaders in business, politics, and other fields will further enhance the community's impact on the U.S. economy and society.
- Leveraging Untapped Potential: Empowering Latinas can unlock additional economic potential within the already thriving Latino community, potentially accelerating overall economic growth.
- Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: Supporting Latinas contributes to broader efforts of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and society at large.
The Broader Impact on U.S. Prosperity
Supporting Latinas through initiatives like the LDC Latina Initiative isn’t just beneficial for Latinas themselves but is crucial for the overall prosperity of the United States. As Sonia M. Pérez, Chief Operating Officer at UnidosUS, stated in an interview with Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative, "Latinos are significant contributors to our country’s history, are integral to strengthening our democracy, and it is crucial to make sure that Latinos have a voice.”
The economic data presented in both the Latina GDP 2024 Report and the 2023 LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report underscores this point. With Latinas driving a significant portion of U.S. economic growth, initiatives that support and empower this community are investments in the nation's economic future.
As the data clearly shows, Latina success is American success.
Sol Trujillo, co-founder and chairman of the Latino Donor Collaborative, emphasizes the importance of Latino contributions in the 2023 LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report: "Essentially, in many regions of the U.S., a Latino worker is more often than not filling a new job vacancy. At a time when our nation is experiencing tight labor markets and employment gaps, Latinos have provided the human capital needed to keep the economy running".
By extension, initiatives supporting Latinas are providing the support needed to keep this vital economic engine not just running, but accelerating into the future. The LDC Latina Initiative isn’t just about addressing disparities; it's about unleashing the full potential of a demographic that is already driving significant economic growth.
Ana Valdez, President and CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative emphasized, “Latinas are transforming the fabric of society—leading businesses, reshaping industries, driving innovation in media, and raising the next generation of Latino leaders [...].” As we look to the future, it's clear that empowering Latinas through initiatives like the LDC Latina Initiative isn’t just the right thing to do—it's an economic imperative. By supporting Latinas, we're investing in a stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous America for all.
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Originally published in The Latino Newsletter–reprinted with permission.
Opinion for The Latino Newsletter
Editor’s Note: Part of The Latino Newsletter’s mission is to feature the work of as many Latino and Latina voices as we can. One of our subscribers, Alberto O. Cappas, the publisher of the Buffalo Latino Village, sent us one of his recent opinion pieces. Alberto’s outlet is known as “The Latino Voice of Buffalo and Western New York.” Here is Alberto’s piece.
Gatekeeping is a significant issue within Black and Latino communities. As a writer, I have scrutinized the allocation of discretionary funds and noted a persistent pattern: the same community groups are repeatedly favored with support and funds from politicians, while other worthy groups are persistently neglected. This partiality calls for an inquiry due to its inequity and the intentional exclusion of organizations that could otherwise foster community growth and development.
The practice of controlling and often limiting access to resources, media, networks, or government funding is increasingly problematic. This is gatekeeping. It allows access in some instances while denying it in others, affecting all groups. Fostering growth and development requires community leaders to collaborate and ensure equitable service to all communities.
Nonprofit groups with minimal political connections often face challenges due to gatekeeping. Elected officials must thoroughly assess community leaders to curb gatekeeping practices, as overlooking this duty can negatively impact their political futures. This prevalent practice warrants public discourse and objective analysis.
Often, the standard response to this topic is defensive, framing it as a personal affront rather than acknowledging it as a legitimate concern. Gatekeeping is a tangible and persistent issue. It hinders opportunities, suppresses innovation, and excludes people from the political sphere of influence. Attempts to dismiss the “problem” cast dissenters as irrational, troublesome, and divisive within the community.
A healthy community hinges on harnessing the finest minds it has to offer. The legacy cannot be effectively handed down to the succeeding generation if it is hindered by gatekeeping, which has negative effects, including:
- Reduced Diversity and Inclusivity: Gatekeeping fosters homogeneous environments by granting access to resources, opportunities, or decision-making roles. This exclusion limits the diversity of perspectives and experiences, which is crucial for fostering innovation and addressing complex challenges.
- Stifled Growth and Development: By limiting access to resources and opportunities, gatekeeping can stifle the growth and development of individuals and organizations. This can result in missed potential and hinder the overall progress of the community.
- Perpetuation of Inequality: It reinforces existing power structures and inequalities by favoring those who already have access to resources and opportunities. This creates a cycle of disenfranchisement, where marginalized groups continue to be excluded from important decision-making processes and opportunities for advancement.
- Erosion of Trust and Community Cohesion: When certain groups or individuals are consistently excluded, it can lead to a breakdown of trust and cohesion within the community. This can result in divisions and conflicts, making it harder for the community to work together towards common goals.
- Limited Representation: Gatekeeping can prevent diverse voices from being heard and represented in various spheres, such as politics, media, and education. This lack of representation can lead to policies and decisions that do not adequately address the needs and concerns of marginalized communities.
During these uncertain times, we must do all we can to expand opportunities in our communities.
Enough gatekeeping.
It’s time to open the gate for everyone.
About the Author
Alberto O. Cappas is the Publisher of the Buffalo Latino Village, “The Latino Voice of Buffalo and Western New York.”
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