Immigration Advocacy Matters

Genelle Cox X02172148 Genelle.Cox09@stjohns .edu Social Justice 3740 Zachary Davis Spring 2013 For my Academic Service Learning I had the opportunity to do service with Immigration

Advocacy Matters (IAM). This is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support to the Immigrant community through educational, legal and personal advancement programs that encourage integration into American Society. The main focus of the organization is to provide resources such as education which will allow Immigrants to survive and contribute to society.

During my service I worked with the Immigrant community in Flushing Queens who were learning to speak English and have had little to no formal educational training in English. During my service I observed individuals who were seeking a better life and equal opportunities for not only themselves but their families as well. I observed how difficult it can be to come to a new country and not understand the language. They were all passionate about learning English and were dedicated to improving their skills. Many of these individuals spoke very little English so I listened while they struggled with their pronunciation. It was amazing how willing they were to put themselves out there and not be ashamed or embarrassed. Not only was I a part of their learning process but I was able to contribute to the organization in a major way. I was able to do prospecting which is looking for different types of funding available in the form of grants.

Although many foundations contribute to organizations whose focus is education many do not donate to organizations whose mission is the advancement of Immigrants. I discovered that the difficulty for many Immigrants to integrate into society is due to the lack of resources available.

I am currently enrolled in a Social Justice course in which we discuss many social justice theories. We also discuss what it means to have equal opportunity for all and how to implement systems that contribute to the betterment of all individuals. My experience with IAM related to my Social Justice class insofar that the main objective of IAM is to provide Immigrants with equal opportunity through education. In my social justice class it was brought to my attention that illegal Immigrants no matter if they have completed high school and received a diploma, they cannot enroll into any academic institution to further their education. IAM tries to solve problems such as this one by providing immigrants with access to the education they deserve.

Before my service with IAM I had some preconceived notions about Immigrants in general. I did not understand why they just didn’t apply to become a citizen the ‘right’ way, assuming that they were all illegal. Also I did not understand why they never took the time to learn the language on their own. Service with IAM made me take a critical look at myself while allowing to me to realize my own faults and biases. I thought about my own struggles learning a different language and how frustrating and time consuming it was. I began to reflect on my own insecurities and realized that I did not even possess the courage and dedication that these individuals had to have in order to leave their homes. This service allowed me to identify with a group of people that I once judged without knowing their personal stories. I now have a new outlook on the immigrant community, realizing that they are fighting for the same rights and opportunities that my ancestors once fought for.

The service I completed connected to the Vincentian mission of the university in many ways.

IAM directly tackles the issue of social injustice specifically for Immigrants. IAM saw the need within their community and they developed a strategy to help those affected by this need. Just as the Vincentian Mission of the University is to search for causes of poverty and social injustice that is what this organization does. They are not biased in who they help, helping many different types of Immigrants from many different parts of the world. They have developed solutions that directly contribute to the success of these Immigrants in their every day’s lives. I believe that is an outstanding organization for the simple fact that they are standing up against injustices for a particular group of people that are outcasts in our society. It is my belief that IAM is the

Vincentian Mission.

My overall view of social justice issues has changed insofar that social justice issues incorporate many aspects of one’s life and surpass just our basic necessities of life. Social justice is equal opportunity for all no matter ones social class, race, age or gender. Social justice issues are issues that impact our lives in significant ways, education being one of them. Previous to serving with IAM I myself did not believe that education was a social justice issue because it was outside of our basic needs. As I served with IAM the importance of education became apparent, not only for children and young adults but for all people from all different walks of life. Education is a pathway to achieving any goal you set your mind to. These adults are trying to better themselves so that they can create opportunities for their children and grandchildren.

Denying a person the right to an education is the same as denying someone the right to clean water and shelter. In today’s society the only way to advance and to become successful is through education. For these adults that education comes in the form of learning English.

I have been working with IAM now for over 5 weeks which is far more than the mandatory hours for Academic Service Learning. This service has enabled me to become an advocate for all immigrants demanding that they too should have equal rights and opportunities. This service has opened my eyes in allowing me to see that social justice issues are everywhere we turn. If someone is being denied an opportunity over circumstances that are out of their control they are a victim of injustice. I will continue my fight for social justice by volunteering contributing my time to many different volunteer services, the main one being Peace Corps. My service with

IAM has only reiterated why I want to join the Peace Corps and act as a voice for those who are victims of injustices worldwide.