Weekly Community Events
"Jornadas"
Since July 2022, AFL has been organizing weekly community days in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, serving between 250 and 300 asylum seekers every Saturday. During these events, we distribute clothing, shoes, and other essential items in good condition, along with culturally appropriate hot meals. We also offer haircuts and provide information on housing, healthcare, legal matters, and other key resources for newly arrived migrants and asylum seekers. These Community Days serve as an entry point to our internal programs and facilitate referrals to partner organizations. In addition, we conduct follow-ups every two months with participants to assess their progress and adjust their support plan based on their needs.
At each event, we carry out thorough interviews to better understand participants’ needs. We collect key information such as contact details, preferred language, family size, age, country of origin, gender, education level, and occupation. This allows us to tailor our support in a holistic way. Our approach focuses on building direct relationships with newcomers and providing consistent humanitarian support to ease their integration. Individual assessments help us address immediate needs and specific circumstances, equipping participants with the tools necessary for integration.
Hot Meals
Case Management
Legal Consultations
Donated Items Handout
Some highlight moments from our weekly events!
Volunteers
A key aspect of our Community Days is the active participation of asylum seekers as volunteers. This model allows them to become part of the solidarity process, strengthening their sense of belonging within the community. Peer support fosters their adaptation to life in New York beyond shelters and promotes an environment of integration and empowerment. Both AFL staff and volunteers—most of whom are immigrants and asylum seekers themselves—work together to build connections and mutual support, creating a community of solidarity that benefits everyone. We provide social services while cultivating a space where migrants can support one another and thrive.