Alan van Capelle's Statement on DACA
New York, NY – September 5, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Educational Alliance President & CEO Alan van Capelle Releases Statement on DACA
Lower East Side, NY – For over 128 years, Educational Alliance (EA) has worked alongside new Americans and helped them to thrive in New York City. There are around 30,000 Dreamers in New York City alone, most who came to the US around the age of 6. In the wake of the Trump Administration’s decision on Tuesday to end DACA, which protects young American immigrants from persecution and harassment, EA released the following statement:
“Educational Alliance has helped millions of immigrants in New York City to realize their American Dream,” said Alan van Capelle, President & CEO of Educational Alliance. “For over a century, we have welcomed people with open arms and ensured that everyone had the chance to pursue happiness and prosperity. We are not about to stop now. Today’s action against America’s Dreamers is mean-spirited and does nothing to make our country stronger. In response, EA will increase investment in our We the People initiative, which claims Lower Manhattan as a place where all people are welcome and diversity is celebrated.”
About EA’s “We the People” Initiative
Pre-empting repeated federal attacks against immigrant families, the organization launched their “We the People” initiative in early 2017 to combat hate in New York City, celebrate the diversity that makes us strong, and enable people of all backgrounds to participate in civic engagement. The initiative continues tonight at Manny Cantor Center, EA’s flagship community center, with a Candidate Forum where residents of City Council District 1 will have the opportunity to speak with local office candidates in preparation for voting on September 12th. Also at Manny Cantor Center through November 11th is a new exhibition called “Know Your Rights: The Red Card” to raise awareness for immigrants’ rights and inform and empower members of the community. The organization will continue to provide resources for vulnerable New Yorkers and those that wish to help, including a Muslim Jewish Solidarity Upstander Training at the 14th Street Y on September 27th at 6:30pm. For more information on these resources, visit www.EdAlliance.org/WeThePeople
About Educational Alliance
Educational Alliance (www.edalliance.org) is a 128-year-old community based organization that serves more than 50,000 New Yorkers every year. Providing services to people of all ages and backgrounds, their programs include an incredibly successful College Prep program where 100% of participants graduate, go on to college and receive financial aid. EA also administers Head Start, Early Head Start, and Afterschool programs across Lower Manhattan. Millions have been helped by EA’s programs including Karen Canella, a first generation immigrant who became the focus of a campaign EA led to restore NYC’s funding for teen programs.
Contact
Educational Alliance
Jake Link, Director of Communications
646-395-4092 JLink@EdAlliance.org
Educational Alliance President & CEO Alan van Capelle
