Celebration in the Streets: Staten Island Residents Rejoice as Immigrant Shelter Closes

With music and socializing in the streets, a group of Staten Island residents celebrated the closing of an immigrant shelter that they had opposed for more than two months.

They pointed out that the Saint John Villa Academy school does not have enough sprinklers and fire alarms.

After the last families left the shelter, about 100 neighbors gathered and held an improvised celebration in the streets.

“We win, no matter how we win,” said Arnaldo Salinas, of the Guardian Angels organization who oppose the opening of these shelters in Staten Island and Queens.

“Most of us Guardian Angels are Latino, it’s nothing against them, we feel for them, but I also have children who are here and this is getting dangerous,” he added.

The neighbors pointed out that the immigrants themselves are the ones who have to pay their expenses and not the City of New York.

Of those, more than 64,000 are in City shelters, which costs approximately $10 million a day.

It may interest you:

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Soccer for Immigrants The International Soccer Club is an amateur soccer team that trains in Harlem River Park and is made up of asylum seekers. The call is open and you can contact your coach directly at this link. Or, contact them through the Fundavenyc organization.

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Sports training for adults Fridays from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Learn basics of sports such as basketball, soccer, flag football, and lacrosse. They are held at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center in the Bronx. More information.

Credit: iStock

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If dancing is your thing, you can attend the free salsa classes offered every Thursday in Manhattan. Classes are held in the afternoons at Pier 76 in Hudson River Park. To see the class schedule and more information, you can check the following link.

Credit: Belchonock

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Every Saturday and Sunday during the summer, the City offers free Yoga classes at Socrates Sculpture Park. There are classes for all levels, including beginners. Classes run from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. You can review more information here.

Credit: Getty Images

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“It is the best thing there is to combat loneliness and depression,” says María Pérez, who participates in the dance classes offered by Sunnyside Community Services. Javier Osorio is part of the organization and assures that doing this activity for one or two hours can help these people forget about their problems for a moment. He explains that there is no charge and that there is only a contribution of two dollars for lunch, but it is not mandatory. More information here.

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The Teaching Kitchen program is offered in the kitchen of St. Barnabas Hospital weekly, with the goal that you learn to cook the dishes you like the most, but in a healthy way. There you know how to replace some ingredients that can be harmful to your health and you can take this food home. Classes are offered at different times and are also available on weekends. Plus, you don’t have to bring anything and the cost for ingredients is $5. More information here.

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Depression can decrease life expectancy, so the New York City Administration on Aging set out to work to prevent this mental illness. Hanac offers activities to keep seniors emotionally and physically active. “The more active and social they are, the slower they age,” explained Andrea Jerves, director of the organization. We tell you what you need to access the workshops here.

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After an $18 million investment to improve its structure, the ‘Grand Street Settlement’ community center on the Lower East Side reopened its doors to seniors. For some participants, dance has given life to their years, because “when I stop dancing my tension goes down,” said Carmen Sotomayor, a member of the community center. Also, the center offers dance, computer and yoga classes for youth and children. Check the details here.

Kate Glicksberg/Kate Glicksberg / NYC & Company

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Governors Island is a pedestrian island where you can also ride your bike and enjoy the Food Trucks. Additionally, from May to October there are free events and workshops on the third Saturday of each month.

Crédito: Kate Glicksberg/Kate Glicksberg / NYC & Company

2023-10-17 11:44:00
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