At Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC, our staff, through the program Justice for Immigrants (JFI), has participated in a number of mobilizations in the city and in our state’s capital to show our support for protecting immigrant rights!
We joined the New York Immigration Coalition’s Annual Member Congress in Albany, lobbying our assembly members for the New York for All Act, which would prohibit state and local collusion with federal immigration enforcement; as well as the Access to Representation Act, which would establish a right to universal representation, meaning anyone at risk of deportation who cannot afford a lawyer will be provided one; and finally, demanding that the budget for immigration legal services be increased to at least $175 million.
We also paid our respects at the vigil for Alex Pretti, who was murdered by ICE officers in Minnesota, as well as attended the ICE Out of NYC rally on the designated nationwide shutdown against ICE.
At our office on Friday, January 30th, our Social Services team hosted a Nutrition Workshop for clients, where they learned how to incorporate more vegetables and fruits into their meals. The participants also completed ten minutes of exercise and prepared a healthy recipe—a salad. We hope to continue our work serving the immigrant community whether it be in our office, in the state capital, or in the streets!
Cabrini Immigrant Services – Dobbs Ferry (CIS-DF), held a workshop entitled: “Hipertensión: ¿Qué la causa? ¿Cómo se trata?” (Hypertension: What causes it/How to treat it). Amy Della Rocca, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, and Sarah Townley, a Family Nurse Practitioner, presented the workshop.
I eventually made it through the doors,” Pat said. “I was very ill, and even though there was nothing appealing to me about the thought of staying in a mental health hospital, I realised it was the right thing to do. I had to hold onto something, so I thought if they're going to send me to a facility, at least I knew that being in a women’s-only place I would be safe.”
That 95 per cent of the almost 1000 patients who we surveyed said they felt safe in our hospital’s care, and that 93 per cent of those surveyed said the quality of care was excellent and they would refer someone who needed psychiatric care, shows that this model really does work.”
Known as the patron saint of human trafficking victims, St. Josephine Bakhita’s journey from slavery to sainthood inspires Catholics and many others worldwide. Born in Sudan, sold into slavery, and later becoming a Canossian sister, her legacy reminds us of God’s power to bring good out of any suffering. (2 Cor. 12:8-10; Rom. 8:28).
Whoever said January was dreary clearly hasn’t spent time at Cabrini High School. This month has been filled with celebration, faith, and momentum as our community moves through one of the busiest and most meaningful seasons of the school year.
Cabrini University alumni and friends, in collaboration with the MSC Cabrini Immigration Commission, rallied before Christmas to donate winter clothing essentials – hats, gloves, scarves - for children in need in our partner school districts in Southeast Pennsylvania. These items were delivered just in the nick of time before Christmas to bring smiles and warmth.
The Cabrini University (CAVS) Social Justice Ambassadors, under the leadership of Dr. Jerry Zurek, former Chair of the Communications Department, welcomed former Cabrini University faculty member Vonya Womack to speak on refugees and the power of story and community as tools of seeking justice and freedom.
In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.