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Resources
This page lists some resources available to New Arrivals in New York City.

Below is a list of resources organized by category. For details about a service, including how to access the service, please contact the relevant agency or consult the calendar of Events and Support.
For a comprehensive guide detailing various information you may need to settle in New York City, explore the Make the Road “Casita” Resource Guide.
To be alerted immediately to new resources that are made available, join our WhatsApp Community.
Clothing
Crisis Services
- Coalition for the Homeless Crisis Services
- Has a crisis hotline. Call 1-888-358-2384 Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Afrikana
- Provides assistance with various issues including accessing public benefits, enrollment in medical insurance and/or Medicaid, and advising eligibility for work authorization.
English Language Classes
- Institute for Immigrant Concerns
- Provides English language courses regardless of immigration status and free in-person classes for granted refugees and political asylees
- Have instructors who speak French, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Albanian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese
- WeSpeakNYC
- Directory of English language classes in all five boroughs
- Laguardia Community College
- Free English language classes and job training for immigrants and families in Queens
- A map of free resources for new arrivals here
- Bridge to LEAD
- A free program for immigrant women who are beginner English learners, currently facilitated with the use of both English and Spanish.
Drop in/Warming Center
- EARTHCHXRCH (corner of 3RD & Avenue C, Monday –Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
- A map of free resources for new arrivals here
Food
- Afrikana
Vegan, Kocher, Halal
- East Village Neighbors Who Care
- Tompkins Square Park; Tuesday & Thursday @ 4PM
- City Harvest Food Map
- Directory map of food pantries, soup kitchens, mobile markets, and community partner distribution points
- A map of free resources for new arrivals here
Interpretation
- Make the Road
- Brooklyn: 301 Grove St, Brooklyn, NY 11237
- Queens: 92-10 Roosevelt Ave, Queens, NY 11372
- Staten Island: 161 Port Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10302
- VOCAL NY
- Brooklyn: 300 Douglass St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
- Refugee Translation Project
- Provides free interpretation assistance to new arrivals
Legal Services
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- Currently ONLY for the issues detailed below; no immigration cases at this time
- Contact the Homeless Rights Helpline (212-298-3160 Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) if you have been
- denied shelter,
- have a disability and not receiving a reasonable accommodation,
- an immigrant who has been mischaracterized as New Arrivals,
- experiencing issues with CityFHEPS
- Contact Access to Benefits Helpline (888-663-6880 Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) for the following issues:
- Benefits and public assistance
- Employment matters
- Family Law matters (check here for the appropriate place to call)
Immigration Law
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- African Communities Together
- Make the Road
- HIAS
- For pro-bono legal immigration services, call 212-613-1341 the first Friday of every month between 9am-3pm for a free consultation
- City Bar Justice Center
- Call 212-382-6710 anytime
- Catholic Migration Services
- For asylum legal services
- Call (718) 236-3000 Brooklyn office
- Call (347) 472-3500 for the Queens office.
- They also assist in deportation defense and temporary protected status (TPS) from select countries.
- For asylum legal services
- Human Rights First
- For assistance with asylum call (212) 845-5200 and leave a voicemail
- Neighborhood Defender Service
- For immigrants living in Northern Manhattan (above 96th St) with prior contact with the criminal justice system.
- Call (212) 876-5500
- Catholic Charities of Long Island
Mail services
- Coalition for the Homeless Emergency Mail Program
- Provides a safe and secure place for homeless individuals to receive their mail