Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York Launch IDNYC "Pop-Up" Enrollment Site at Bayside

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2017
CONTACT: mediabox@moia.nyc.gov, 646-343-7164

QUEENS—The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs' Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Eileen Reyes Arias and the IDNYC team today joined community leaders to launch a "pop-up" IDNYC enrollment site with Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York (KCS) at their main office in Bayside. This pop-up enrollment site will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. until Monday, October 30, 2017. Applications will be available in more than 25 languages at the enrollment site, including Korean and Chinese.

Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York's mission is to be a bridge for Korean immigrants and the wider Asian community to fully integrate into society and overcome any economic, health, and social barriers, so that they become independent and thriving members of the community. KCS provides culturally competent programming to community members on Aging, Education, Immigration, Workforce Development, Public Health, and Mental Health.

"With this new IDNYC pop-up enrollment site at Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York's main office, we are excited that more Bayside residents will have easier access to City resources and all IDNYC has to offer," said Eileen Reyes Arias, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. "IDNYC opens doors to the city, including free one-year memberships to cultural institutions in Queens and throughout the great city, and discounts for generic prescription drugs. We are grateful for our partnership with Korean Community Services and their commitment to serving immigrant New Yorkers across the city, including New Yorkers in Bayside."

"This pop-up enrollment site will provide an easy and convenient way for Bayside-area residents to obtain an IDNYC card," said U.S. Representative Grace Meng. "Having an official form of identification is essential in today's society. But IDNYC is more than just an I.D. The card provides many benefits and services to those who have one, including access to programs and discounts to various attractions. I encourage those who reside in the Bayside area to take advantage of this IDNYC pop-up site at KCS."

"This new pop-up location for the IDNYC program will go a long way to serve the residents of Northeast Queens," said Council Member Paul Vallone. "I urge everyone to sign up and take advantage of the benefits offered with an IDNYC. Whether you are visiting a cultural institution or opening a bank account, the card's perks are endless."

"We are very grateful and excited to be working with the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs to bring IDNYC to the Bayside community to make the application process more accessible for all Northeast Queens residents and the greater community," said Linda Lee, Executive Director of Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York. "We encourage everyone to apply and take advantage of the benefits offered with an IDNYC card."

IDNYC is the key to the city for more than 1.1 million New Yorkers. Under the leadership of Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the City Council, the City's municipal ID program is committed to increasing access to IDNYC for all New Yorkers. IDNYC has many permanent enrollment centers across the city as well as a series of temporary "pop-up" enrollment sites.

All City residents age 14 and above are eligible to get a municipal ID card, and enrollment is free for anyone who applies in 2017. IDNYC has a wide array of benefit partners across the city that make entertainment options, sporting events, zoos and museums, among others, cheaper and more accessible to New Yorkers. A full list of benefit partners is available on IDNYC's website. All IDNYC applicants must have documentation that proves identity and residency in New York City. The City is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all IDNYC card applications. For more information on eligibility criteria, benefits, enrollment centers across the five boroughs and more, applicants can visit nyc.gov/IDNYC or call 311.