City Encourages Brooklyn residents to Visit Bay Ridge Community Resource Fair on Saturday, December 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 29, 2018
CONTACT: mediabox@moia.nyc.gov, 212-676-3013

BROOKLYN—Today, the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs joined the Office of Council Member Justin Brannan, the Brooklyn Public Library, and community partners to promote the upcoming Bay Ridge Community Resource Fair. It will take place on Saturday, December 1 at the Bay Ridge branch of the Brooklyn Public Library—7223 Ridge Blvd (73rd St), Brooklyn, NY 11209—from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Brooklyn residents will be able to speak with City officials about their concerns, learn information about their rights regarding affordable health care, employment, and immigration law, among other opportunities. It's critical that these resources are known and available to all residents, regardless of immigration status – immigrant residents alone represent about 40 percent of Council District 43 (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach). Interpretation will be available in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic.

"It's our job to ensure that City services are accessible to the communities we serve," said Bitta Mostofi, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. "On Saturday, we're setting up a one-stop shop, responding to the needs of Bay Ridge's residents. From immigration legal services, to IDNYC, and much more, I'm proud of our continued partnerships with Council Member Brannan and the Brooklyn Public Library to make our great city even more welcoming and inclusive."

"I am thrilled to be working with MOIA and bringing this Community Resource Fair to Brooklyn Public Library," said Council Member Justin Brannan. "It's all about providing essential tools and outreach to ensure that all New Yorkers have equal access to public services. This is a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about the resources available in our city."

"Libraries are often the first stop for new immigrants. At BPL, we help thousands of people each year learn English, apply for citizenship, find jobs, and learn about resources in their communities," said Linda E. Johnson, Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO. "We are delighted to join with Council Member Brannan and the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs to host the Bay Ridge Community Resource Fair."

"Asian Americans are the fastest growing community in New York City," said Alice Wong, Chief of Staff at the Chinese-American Planning Council. "Linguistically appropriate services such as those at this resource fair are critical for immigrants to thrive. CPC is excited to support the efforts of MOIA, Council Member Brannan, and the Brooklyn Public Library to provide needed City resources to our community."

Alongside the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and the Office of Council Member Justin Brannan, City agencies and initiatives represented at the resource fair will be: NYC Commission on Human Rights, Department of Consumer Affairs, GetCovered NYC, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Human Resources Administration, Department of Sanitation, Department of Small Business Services, ThriveNYC.

The City will be joined by the following local community groups and business associations seeking to engage Bay Ridge community members: Arab American Association of New York, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, Chinese-American Planning Council, WomanKind.