NYC celebrates Immigrant Heritage Week

Article Index
NYC celebrates Immigrant Heritage Week
Page 2
Page 3
All Pages

Page 3 of 3

"There is a need for a clearly articulated pathway for the immigrants either through re-training or re-credentialing. They should be given the opportunity to transition to a comparable career," Dr. Kurien said.

Celebrating diversity

"Immigrant Heritage Week started with a handful of community events and now with 180 events citywide, its success is a testament to the incredible strength of our diverse immigrant population," said Mayor Bloomberg in a statement. "We are going to make sure that we continue to serve all immigrant communities in our city. Our Language Access Executive Order is just one more way to make New York even more accessible to the communities that contribute to our wonderful diversity."

"Immigrant Heritage Week celebrates our shared immigrant histories, diverse cultures and religions, and the role these play in enriching our City," said Deputy Mayor for Legal Affairs Robles-Román.

"It is my great honor to be a part of the 6th Annual Immigrant Heritage Week celebration," said Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Linares. "I am grateful for the numerous event partners from across New York City whose contributions make this community-building celebration possible. Working with our numerous City agencies on Executive Order 120, we are making it easier for all immigrant communities to receive City services."

In July 2008, Mayor Bloomberg signed Executive Order 120 creating a centralized language access policy for New York City. Executive Order 120 mandates that all City agencies that provide direct public services create a language access implementation plan to provide language assistance to limited-English proficient New Yorkers.

Each agency has now designated a Language Access Coordinator who has developed a Language Access policy and implementation plan, which are now posted on www.nyc.gov. Plans include strategies and implementation timelines for interpretation, translation and multi-lingual signage, as well as training of front-line staff and quality assurance measurements.

Immigrant Heritage Week explores that diversity though a rich collection of community events and cultural activities created to highlight the immigrant experience in New York.

Established by Mayor Bloomberg in 2004 as a citywide celebration, Immigrant Heritage Week is celebrated around April 17th, the day in 1907 when more immigrants entered through Ellis Island than any other date in the City’s history.

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published on May 1, 2005 in Asian Journal New York p. A1 )

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites