NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Celebrates Women’s History Month

Funding Opportunities for Immigrant-Serving Nonprofits

* Contracting with the City of New York: Is your organization interested in becoming a City vendor? The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) provides a variety of free online resources and trainings to learn about the process.
– Visit NYC’s procurement training page 
– Want to request a training? Complete the MOCS Training Request Form
– PassPort is the city’s end-to-end digital procurement platform. Visit MOCS’ page PassPort, to learn more about PassPort. To access PassPort training sessions hosted by MOCS, click here. There is also additional information available about financials and how to navigate PassPort.
– See information on requirements contracts.
-Browse MOCS’ publicly available funding opportunities

* Citizenship: Visit our dedicated page on becoming a U.S. Citizen at nyc.gov/immigrants/legal-resources/citizenship

* Legal support for asylum seekers: The Asylum Seeker Legal Assistance Network (ASLAN) helps with legal screenings, change of address, and assistance with immigration applications such as asylum. If your client requires asylum-related legal services, refer them to our list of ASLAN legal providers for information on locations and further assistance.

* Immigration Legal Services Fraud Prevention: NYC has seen many cases of immigration legal services fraud, severely impacting NYC families, their finances, & livelihoods. Help your clients stay informed on how to identify and avoid immigration services fraud/scams that target the immigrant community by visiting our website. New Yorkers can learn more or report fraud by calling New York State’s New Americans Hotline at 1-800-566-7636.

* ICARE Legal Services for immigrant youth: Is your client under 18, currently residing in NYC, and in immigration court proceedings or was in an ORR shelter? ICARE (Immigrant Children Advocates’ Relief Effort)’s immigration legal referral program offers an additional avenue for referring potential clients to ICARE’s five-member organizations, making the legal referral process smoother for young people and community partners. To learn more and determine eligibility, refer your clients to the ICARE website and referral form.

Immigrants and Workforce Development/Financial Empowerment

* [NEW] Upcoming NYC Symposium on Wellness & Leadership for Women Entrepreneurs: In celebration of Women’s History Month and in an effort to support NYC entrepreneurs, the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and WeNYC will host a FREE in-person symposium on March 25 from 1-4 PM for women entrepreneurs. In this event, city officials and industry experts will share strategies for managing time and taking care of oneself, navigating society’s expectations, and redefining leadership through care. This event will be held at 1 Liberty Street New York, NY 10006 and interested attendees may sign up on Eventbrite to register.

* Career Fair NYC HRA DSS: Do you work with clients seeking employment? On Wednesday, March 19, at 10 am, the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) will host a Business Link Career Fair at Bronx Borough Hall, 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY, 10451. NYC job seekers can attend to meet potential employers and find out about current vacancies including Outreach Crisis Coordinator, Peer Coordinator, Crisis Coordinator, Housing Specialist, Case Manager, Receptionist, Maintenance, Porter, Security, and more. New Yorkers can register by sending their resume to BusinessLinkRecruitment@hra.nyc.gov.

* Small Business Owner Opportunity at the Queens Night Market: The Queens Night Market is back in April 2025 and is one of NYC’s most iconic family-friendly fun night markets. Participating vendors showcase the city’s cultural diversity by selling merchandise, food, and art. Interested small business owners and aspiring business owners are encouraged to visit the Queens Night Market application website to apply to become a vendor.

* Grants for Community-Based Development Organizations(CBDOs) are NOW Open: NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) has recently opened Applications For Grants To Promote Commercial Corridor and Neighborhood Revitalization Projects. These grants include Merchant Organizing, Business Improvement District (BID) Formation, and Small BID Support grants. Interested NYC Chambers of Commerce, local development corporations, merchants associations, and other organizations operating in the five boroughs of NYC are encouraged to learn more and apply here for grants up to $100,000.

* FREE Virtual Tax Prep for Self-Employed New Yorkers: It’s tax season 2025! Is your client self-employed and wants to learn more about the basics of tax filing and recordkeeping best practices? NYC Department of Consumer and Workers Protection (DCWP) is hosting FREE virtual workshops and group sessions to help self-employed New Yorkers including small business owners, freelancers, and gig workers from October to December 2024. Click HERE to view their event calendar and register for an upcoming workshop.

* MTA Reduced Congestion Pricing for eligible New Yorkers: Do you work with low-income clients who frequently need to travel by vehicle within the congestion relief zone of NYC? On January 5, 2025, congestion pricing began implementation to enter NYC’s Central Business District (CBD). MTA has launched its Low-Income Discount Plan (LIDP) to allow eligible NYC drivers who are enrolled to receive a 50% discount on the Congestion Relief Zone peak toll. New Yorkers can visit MTA’s webpage on LIDP here to learn more and apply.

* NYC Funds Finder: Are your clients current or aspiring business owners and looking for funding opportunities? NYC Small Business Services (SBS) has partnered with Next Street to offer NYC entrepreneurs a no-cost online platform to find information about and sources of funding opportunities. New Yorkers can sign up and create an account HERE to start searching for funding opportunities such as loans, grants, and crowdfunding and sign up for a FREE appointment with a financial advisor within their business industry.

* SIGN UP to join Jobs NYC’s Hiring Hall to search for candidates or share community resources: Is your organization hiring and looking for candidates? Your organization can sign up for Jobs NYC monthly hiring halls run by the City of New York. Hiring halls take place in each borough and invite diverse partners from different industries within the private, public, & civic sectors to help connect New Yorkers to jobs, training opportunities, and resources. Interested community partners who want to attend and table may fill out this interest form to see if they qualify to participate.

* Money In Your Pocket Guide: The Mayor and The Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) have created a new comprehensive guide to help New Yorkers save money and possibly qualify for over 70 city, state, and federal programs. Many of these programs may be available to individuals/families regardless of their immigration status, employment status, or whether they are already receiving benefits. Click here to see the guide.

* Get Free Financial Counseling: Does your client want to learn more about how to manage their finances, establish or improve credit, reduce debt, access emergency government resources, and many other financial wellness-related topics? New Yorkers can visit DCWP’s Financial Empowerment Center to receive FREE one-on-one professional financial counseling to reach their goals. Click here to book an appointment.

* NYC’s resources for immigrant entrepreneurs and small business owners: Immigrant-owned small businesses play an essential role in New York City’s economy. Visit the city’s guide for immigrant entrepreneurs. SBS team members are also available by phone at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692) to share resources with New Yorkers on starting or maintaining their business. If your client needs financial assistance for their business, they can find more information on various financial assistance sources here.

* Career preparation: Workforce1 prepares and connects qualified candidates to job opportunities and career workshops in New York City. To access services, visit nyc.gov/sbs/careers/virtual-wf1cc

* Credentialing: If your client is looking for work in the construction, home health, cosmetology, or food handling industry, they must be certified. Click on each of the industries to access site-specific training and credentialing.

Immigrants and Childcare

* [NEW] FREE supplies and resources for eligible NYC parents with newborns: Do you work with expecting parents? To support new parents in NYC, NYC Health + Hospitals and United Way New York City (UWNYC) have launched «Baby Boxes», which include supplies such as diapers, wipes, clothing, bathing, and feeding supplies, a «Made in NYC» onesie, and a resource guide containing links to maternity and baby health resources in the city and neighborhood. Additionally, the box will include a first book from UWNYC’s “Books from Birth” program. NYC Baby Boxes will soon be distributed to every family delivering their baby at the following NYC Health + Hospitals: Jacobi, Lincoln, and Kings County.

*[NEW] FREE crib or car seats available for eligible NYC parents: Do you have clients who are expecting and/or current parents in need of a car seat or crib? The Office of New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is currently collaborating with local community-based partners in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan to distribute free cribs and car seats to community members. New Yorkers may visit DOHMH’s Neighborhood Health Services page to find a community organization in their neighborhood and learn more about this service and how to sign up.

* Promise NYC: The Adams administration and the City Council will continue to support undocumented children and their families whose immigration status makes them ineligible for other federally-funded childcare assistance by expanding Promise NYC, from $16 million in FY24 to $25 million in FY25. The additional funds will allow approximately 1,000 children to enroll in child care through Promise NYC. To determine if your client is eligible, visit nyc.gov/acs/early-care/apply-child-care

* Free or Low-Cost Child Care: Low-income families with children aged 6 weeks to 12 years old can get free or low-cost child care. If your client has questions about childcare, have them visit nyc.gov/acs/early-care/families or call 311 to learn more.

Immigrants and Language Access

* NYC City Agency Language Access Feedback/Complaint Portal: All New York City agencies, offices, and customer service are required to provide free interpretation to assist customers who do not speak English or who are more comfortable communicating in another language. All agencies must also translate their most commonly distributed materials into 10 designated citywide languages (Local Law 30). Visit the 311 City Agency Language Access Feedback page to file a complaint about the lack of interpretation or translation at a City agency or about the quality of language access. You may also request that a City agency or office provide additional language access services to the public.

* NYC’s HOPE hotline: The City is here to help New Yorkers who are experiencing abuse. New Yorkers experiencing dating, domestic, or gender-based violence can now access NYC’s Hope Hotline 7 days a week. Call 800-621-HOPE to learn more about services and supportive resources such as immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, and other vital services. New Yorkers can also learn more about services on the NYC Hope webpage.

* Protection against forced labor and support for victims: Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to make someone engage in labor or services, such as labor and sex trafficking. If your client is a victim of human or sex trafficking, they have rights. To learn more visit MOIA’s dedicated page on crime victim support, VAWA, U and T Visas, and more. Human Trafficking victims who need direct support can also call the NYC Hope Hotline for help at 800-621-HOPE(4673).

* Contacting the NYPD: If you have been the victim of a crime, or are not sure, please contact the New York City Police Department. Police officers do not ask about the immigration status of crime victims, witnesses, or other people who ask for help. For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, call 311 and ask to connect with your local precinct.

* Report harassment and discrimination: Discrimination, retaliation, and harassment against anyone based on their race, religion, or immigration status are not tolerated in New York City. Please have your client call the NYC Commission on Human Rights to report these incidents and for more information at 212-416-0197.

* NYC’s hate crimes task force: Anyone who has been the victim of a hate crime, or is not sure, should contact the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force directly at 646-610-5267.

Immigrants and Healthcare

* Affordable Care Act enrollment support: In NYC, access to health care is a right. NYC is here to help New Yorkers understand their healthcare options and enroll in health insurance, including low- or no-cost options, under the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare). If your client has questions, please click HERE or call 311 and say “Get Covered NYC” to learn more and get support.

* NYC Health + Hospitals Street Health Outreach and Wellness mobile unit:  Is your client experiencing homelessness and needs medical and or social services? NYC Health + Hospitals’s Street Health Outreach and Wellness (SHOW) program deploys mobile health units across NYC to meet and invite unhoused individuals for care without appointments, cost, or other barriers. The SHOW mobile is available in all five boroughs. Click here to see locations.

* Medicaid for undocumented New Yorkers over 65: Undocumented immigrants 65 and older who meet income and other eligibility requirements can now enroll in Medicaid. Visit nyc.gov/ExpandedMedicaid.

* Medical care regardless of immigration status: All immigrants can get medical care in New York City, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. H+H health care facilities and its NYC Care program do not collect information about your immigration status. For all NYC Health + Hospitals please call (718) 387-6407 or 311 to be directed to the center nearest to you.

* HEAT Season regulations for Housing in NYC: In NYC, «Heat Season» occurs from October 1 to May 31, during this time building owners must provide tenants with heat and hot water. This law requires that between the hours of 6:00 am and 10:00 pm if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit for their tenants. In addition, the inside temperature must be at least 62 degrees Fahrenheit between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am. To learn more about these laws or to file a complaint against a building owner, click here or call 311.

* NYC Housing Preservation & Development (HDP) Housing Guide: NYC Housing Preservation & Development (HDP) created a multilingual housing guide to help New Yorkers understand housing rules in NYC. Please share this with clients who might be tenants, homeowners, or landlords to understand housing rights and responsibilities, safety tips, new affordable housing or rental assistance resources, and useful contact information for other housing-related issues.

* Rent Freeze Program for eligible New Yorkers: Do you have clients over the age of 62 and/or living with a disability? Aging New Yorkers & New Yorkers with disabilities might qualify for New York City’s Rent Freeze Program. The NYC Public Engagement Unit (PEU) is available to answer questions on this program and help New Yorkers see if they qualify by calling 929-252-7242.

* NYC’s housing support for families: The PATH office is an intake center for families with children in New York City who require emergency shelter. PATH determines eligibility and provides those families with placement in temporary shelters. The office is open 24/7. For information on PATH, including how to apply and what to expect, call 718-503-6400 or visit nyc.gov/site/dhs/shelter/families/families-with-children-applying

* Homelessness prevention: If your client is experiencing housing instability or is at risk of becoming homeless, they are eligible for support from Homebase. Refer them to nyc.gov/site/hra/help/homebase for further assistance.

* NYC’s tenant helpline: If your client is at risk of eviction or experiencing a housing-related issue, please call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline. Tenant Helpline is a one-stop shop to inform New York City tenants about their rights and connect them to housing-related resources, including free legal services. Visit nyc.gov/tenantprotection and nyc.gov/housing for additional information.

Immigrants and Education 

* [NEW] Summer Rising 2025: Are your clients interested in an educational and enrichment program for their children this summer? NYC Public Schools and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) each year host Summer Rising, a FREE program available to all NYC students in grades K-8, pending seat availability, regardless of immigration status. Students at Summer Rising participate in academic and enrichment activities throughout the day, including field trips, art activities, and outdoor recreation. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be served. NYC parents can visit the Summer Rising webpage to learn more and apply now.

* NYC Schools Anti-Hate Hotline: NYC Public Schools has created an Anti-Hate Hotline, designed as another measure to protect students against discrimination and bullying. The Anti-Hate Hotline is staffed with New York City Public Schools employees and can be reached at 718-935-2889 and will be available Monday-Friday from 8 am to 6 pm. Incidents can be reported anonymously at the caller’s request.

* NYC Public Schools Family Welcome Centers: The best place for immigrant youth and parents to get help enrolling in school and accessing educational resources is the NYC Public Schools Family Welcome Center. Various family welcome centers can be found in every borough and serve NYC families all year round with enrollment and admissions. Walk-ins are not accepted, parents/caregivers can call 718-935-2828 or click here for more information and to find a nearby center.

* Every child in New York City has a right to public school education, regardless of immigration status or language: EarlyLearn, 3K, and Pre-K programs are available for children aged 6 weeks to 4 years. All NYC residents have the right to attend public school from age 5 until graduation or until the end of the school year when they turn 21. If a client has questions about enrolling in any NYC Public Schools programs, have them visit schools.nyc.gov/enrollment or call 311.

* Afterschool programs: The NYC Department of Youth and Community Development has a variety of afterschool and recreational opportunities. For a list of current programs, visit nyc.gov/dycd/services/after-school

Immigrants and Wellness 

* Pop-Up Café Program for aging New Yorkers: The Department of Aging (NYC Aging) has opened Pop-up Cafés throughout the city that offer nutritious and culturally aligned FREE hot or cold meals to New Yorkers 60 years and older who are experiencing food insecurity. To find a Pop-UP Cafe, click here to search for a NYC Aging’s Older Adult Center near you.