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Understanding the Newly Arriving Central American Children: Background, Impact, and Support on Long Island

Gain insights into the reasons behind the journey of Central American children to Long Island, their experiences, and the impact on the local community. Discover the support needed to ease their transition and help them thrive.

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Understanding the Newly Arriving Central American Children: Background, Impact, and Support on Long Island

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  1. Understanding the Newly Arriving Central American Children

  2. Background • Why the children make the journey • Violence • Sexual violence • Poverty • Reunite with family • Where they come from NationallyLong Island Honduras (28%) El Salvador Guatemala (25%) Honduras El Salvador (23%) Guatemala • How they get here: coyote or “the beast”

  3. Who Are These Children • Gender 65% are boys 77% increase in girls • Age On LI - 18 months – 17 years 2013 – 9% were 12 years and younger 2014 – 16% area 12 years and younger

  4. Impact on Long Island • Long Island – 2600 children New York State – 5000 NYC – 1660 • Nassau – 1250 children Hempstead (town & village is receiving the most children) • Suffolk – 1360 children Brentwood, Central Islip, and Bay Shore combined are receiving more than Hempstead Huntington and Huntington Station Riverhead and the Hamptons • Long Island – 5th largest Central American community in the country

  5. Support for the Children • MercyFirst Temporary shelter before reuniting with family Houses up to 50 children at a time Children have been characterized as grateful and polite • Catholic Charities Long Island worked with 800 families this calendar year • North Fork Spanish Apostolate • Long Island Health and Welfare Council

  6. What Do The Children Need • Compassion, Respect, Support The children are turning to us for protection and safety We must treat them in a way that reflects our American values of fairness and justice • Mental Heath Care Trauma experienced in their homeland and journey to the U.S. • Educational Support ESL instruction Grade level assessment Enrollment process • Legal Assistance Undocumented immigrants are not provided legal assistance

  7. Easing the Transition for the Children and Long Island • Federal and State Funding Schools enrolling these children need additional resources • Local Government Support County and community officials need to address the needs of the children Support organizations and schools that are already caring for them • Support form the Faith Community Must be a bold public voice for the compassionate and just treatment of the children

  8. Negative Community Reactions • CommackCommunity uproar over church proposal to temporarily house 30 to 40 children • School DistrictsEnrollment practices in question • MediaTone Messaging

  9. Long Island WinsLocated at SUNY Old Westbury Staff Maryann Sinclair Slutsky Executive Director mslutsky@longislandwins.com 516-333-7004 Christian Bonawandt Online Editor cbonawandt@longislandwins.com 516-333-7495 Hendel Leiva Welcoming Long Island Organizer hleiva@longislandwins.com 516-506-3516 Laura Lemus Special Projects Coordinator llemus@longislandwins.com 515-333-7331 www.longislandwins.com

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