Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Bringing Christ's love to the world

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Honoring Immigrant Heritage Month

In celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month, Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC (CIS-NYC) welcomed 20 participants for a wonderful community potluck. Clients brought traditional dishes from their home countries, giving everyone the opportunity to share and enjoy a variety of cultural foods.

The afternoon was filled with great conversation, music, and a delicious multi-cultural meal. We ended the celebration with an energetic salsa dance class led by a professional instructor, Ximena Salgado, creating a fun and memorable experience that honored the rich cultures and traditions of our community.

Carrying the Cross of the Unknown

In May, Ivonne Moreno-Rodriguez, Social Work Supervisor at Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC, joined humanitarian workers, faith leaders, and advocates in the 23rd – Annual Migrant Trail Walk through the Sonoran Desert. The seven-day, 75-mile pilgrimage honors migrants who have lost their lives while seeking safety, reunification with loved ones, and opportunities for a better future in the United States.

Despite increasingly restrictive immigration policies intended to deter migration, people continue to flee violence, persecution, poverty, and instability in search of safety and hope. Between May 2025 and May 2026, the remains of 109 migrants were recovered in the Sonoran Desert alone. Of those, only 17 have been identified.

Ivonne carried a cross bearing the word Desconocido (“Unknown”), representing one of the many individuals whose identity remains unknown and whose family members—a spouse, mother, father, children, or siblings—may still be searching for answers.

During the walk, Ivonne became ill and required medical attention. The experience led her to reflect deeply on the migrant whose cross she carried. “When I became sick, there were people around me who cared for me and made sure I received help,” she shared. “I couldn’t stop thinking about the migrant I was carrying. He may have also become sick in that same desert, but there was no one there to help him.”

After being discharged from the hospital, Ivonne was welcomed into the home of a local family who offered her a warm meal, a comfortable bed, and a place to recover. “I experienced the nurturing power of community,” Ivonne noted. “I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if we welcomed every migrant with kindness, compassion, and respect for their dignity, rather than responding with persecution and discrimination.”

As a ministry of faith inspired by Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, the patron saint of immigrants, Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC remains committed to serving immigrant families with compassion while advocating for the humanity, inherent worth, and rights of every person. We honor the lives of those lost and affirm the dignity of those who continue their journey today.

Creative Mindfulness

On Wednesday, May 27th, CIS-NYC Social Services Department hosted our first workshop focused on art appreciation and creative expression, led by Sister Yolanda as the instructor. Twelve participants attended the session, and the feedback was very positive. Students sketched and painted while learning the importance of mindfulness and creative expression.

Rooted in Dignity – Cabrini Immigrant Services – NYC

Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC invites you to our annual fundraiser on Saturday, June 13th! Join us for evening uplifting the courage of immigrants in our community, celebrating those who walk alongside them, and reaffirming the roots of our mission. We will honor the many contributions of our “Heart of Cabrini” award recipients, Rev. Donald C. Baker and Brigid K. Sullivan (in loving memory), and enjoy live performances by the Ivalas Quartet and La Cumbiamba eNeYe! Tickets are now available at www.cis-nyc.org/celebrate-2026

Helpful Workshops and a Graduation!

Towards the end of February, on Sunday the 22nd, the Justice For Immigrants Program held a Bystander Training Workshop at the St. F. X. Cabrini Shrine in New York City. Neighborhood locals gathered to learn how to support and defend their immigrant neighbors by getting some basic Know Your Rights information, tips on identifying federal immigration officers, how to accurately record and report ICE presence, and much more. We are grateful to all those who came with a willingness to learn!
Graduation Day!

On Friday, March 13th, the graduation ceremony for the Cabrini Nutrition Workshop took place. Thirteen participants from various countries, including Honduras, Venezuela, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, completed nine nutrition workshops in collaboration with Cornell University’s Cooperative Extension. Story continues on following page.
Throughout the program, participants learned to read food labels, teach their children to eat healthier, practice food safety, and take proper care when washing fruits and
vegetables. Each participant received a diploma and a gift from Cabrini and Cornell as a token of appreciation for their dedication and perseverance throughout the program.

The graduation was a joyful event where everyone shared a pleasant time together and prepared healthy recipes such as fruit salad, green salad, rice, and guacamole.

The nutrition group began on January 16, 2026, with an orientation session and concluded on March 13, 2026.

CIS-NYC Advocating in Multiple Dimensions

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!

Bringing JOY at Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC

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On December 20th, Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC held our annual gift distribution and Christmas celebration. We enjoyed delicious food, lively games, and abundant laughter with our beautiful community. The event helped ease financial and emotional stress for participating families while creating positive holiday memories for children. We were able to distribute toys, coats, and gift cards to 69 families (119 children) in need. Many of the parents in attendance expressed deep gratitude for the support in a year where purchasing gifts would have been particularly difficult.

We are deeply grateful to our generous donors, volunteers, and staff who made this event possible. Thank you for the opportunity to demonstrate the joy, strength, and unity of our community in these challenging times.~

Honoring Cabrini-Cornell Nutrition Workshop Grads

On Friday, December 5th, Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC held a graduation ceremony for the latest cohort of our Nutrition Workshop. Over the past two months, sixteen participants from various countries, including El Salvador, Ecuador, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, completed nine nutrition workshops in collaboration with Cornell University’s Cooperative Extension.

Throughout the program, participants learned to read food labels; teach their children to eat in healthier ways; to practice food safety and take proper care when washing fruits and vegetables.

Each participant received a diploma and a gift from Cabrini and Cornell as a token of appreciation for their dedication and perseverance throughout the program. The graduation was a joyful event where everyone shared a pleasant time together and prepared healthy recipes such as fruit salad, green salad, rice, and guacamole.

 

10th Annual NYC Chili Bowl!

Last weekend, the 10th Annual NYC Chili Bowl brought neighbors together for an afternoon of good food and community. All proceeds from the event supported the CIS-NYC Food Pantry, helping us continue to provide fresh, healthy food to families across Upper Manhattan.

We’re so grateful to everyone who made the event possible and to all who came out to support our work. Community efforts like this help ensure that our pantry can keep serving our neighbors during a time of rising food costs and reduced federal assistance.

CIS-NYC Trying Its Very Best to Serve Those in Need

An estimated 2.9 million New Yorkers, including 1 million children, did not receive their food benefits on November 1st. While partial SNAP payments have been ordered to resume, it’s still unclear when families will get their full benefits. In the meantime, community food pantries, like ours, across the city are trying filling the gap and feed our communities.

At Cabrini Immigrant Services-NYC (CIS-NYC), our pantry already serves around 400 families every Saturday morning, and we expect that number to grow in the weeks ahead. To meet this need, we’ve extended our distribution hours from 7–9AM to 7–10AM.

This week, our pantry was highlighted in a NYT article about how faith-based and community programs are stepping up to meet this moment, often stretching limited resources to continue serving families. ~ submitted by Amelia Scdoris, Justice for Immigrants Coordinator

You can read the article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/nyregion/church-pantries-food-aid.html?unlocked_article_code=1.yU8.SFKW.c50lgOcL8tjM&smid=url-share

1260 Upper Gulph Road, Wayne, PA 19087
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info@mothercabrini.org