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New Asylum Seekers in East Flatbush Receive Winter Coats, Toiletries as Electeds Ask for Federal Aid

Council Member Farah Louis worked with The Bridge Multicultural Advocacy Project and local volunteers to distribute winter necessities to people in need.
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Farah Louis at the giveaway event. Photo: Provided/ Office of Farah Louis.

Council Member Farah Louis worked with advocacy organization The Bridge Multicultural Advocacy Project and local volunteers to hand out essential winter items to asylum seekers that are staying at the Highland Park Shelter in East Flatbush.

Among the items that were distributed included winter coats, other various warm clothing and hygiene products.

Louis said these items were given out because many asylum seekers do not own the necessary clothing to stay warm amidst the frigid winter temperatures.

There has been a recent influx of asylees that have arrived in New York City. Louis said this is because of a months-long bussing campaign started by Republican governors, sending South American migrants to New York City from southern border states.

As a result, local shelters in District 45 — which includes parts of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands and Kensington — have accounted for a significant share of asylum seekers, housing over 1,300 individuals.

With many asylees in need of warm clothing, Louis said local officials have been working with nonprofits and faith-based organizations to provide these necessities to those that need it.

To be able to continue addressing these needs and providing care for the growing amount of migrants arriving in Brooklyn shelters, Louis said that Federal aid is desperately needed.

"I am proud to stand in solidarity with members of my community to support asylees — our new New Yorkers that now reside in Council District 45. As a proud daughter of immigrants, I understand how challenging it can be to navigate life in a new country, an unknown place, with no resources but the clothes on your back and your will to fight for a better life for yourself and your children," Louis said.

"As New Yorkers, we have a moral obligation to support asylum seekers, especially the innocent children who have dealt with the anxiety and trauma of fleeing their homes and making such a difficult journey. Our goal today, working with the Department of Social Services and local nonprofit organizations, is to make this transition as smooth and stress-free as it can be for these asylees and their children. But we’re also well aware that we cannot tackle this crisis through charity alone. That’s why I’m calling on the Biden administration to allocate federal funds toward humanitarian aid for asylees here in New York.”




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