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429 West 127th Street, New York, NY 10027 phone: 212-222-3882 fax: 212-222-7067 online: www.africanservices.org
In This Issue
WNYC, Harper's Feature ASC's Work to Help Trafficking Victim
ASC Awarded Service Organization of the Year
African Services Committee Thanks You
ASC Rallies with Congressman Rangel on Immigration Reform
Executive Action Immigration Update
Clinic on Ebola-Related TPS
AIDS Walk
ASC & Partners Announce Staten Island Health Fair
Mojito Seattle Launches ASC Ethiopia Campaign
New NYC ID Available
Focus On African Literature
Rock Collective Tal National
2013 Annual Report
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Thank you to WNYC, Harper's Magazine and NPR's Alexandra Starr for revealing the horrors of human trafficking in "Trafficked to Play, Then Forgotten." The story, which reveals how the demand for college basketball talent has led to human trafficking in countries like Nigeria, was also heard on NPR All Things Considered and The Brian Lehrer Show, with the print version "American Hustle: How elite youth basketball exploits African athletes" by Alexandra Starr appearing in Harper's Magazine April edition (click here to read the full story). 

 

African Services' dedicated legal team, led by ASC supervising attorney Kate Webster along with ASC staff attorney Jessica Greenberg, worked tirelessly to help secure a bright future for Alley Ene.  

 

"It's an important story of exploitation of young African athletes and the many faces of human trafficking," Webster said.    

 

"Alley, is a remarkable young man. He's working overtime to make ends meet, and dreams of someday being able to go back to school.   

 

Alley has set up an Indiegogo campaign to help him pay for college. Check it out here .


 
Behind the scenes: ASC supervising attorney Kate Webster and ASC staff attorney Jessica Greenberg speak with NPR's Alexandra Starr about 
Alley Ene at the WNYC  recording  studio. 
News and Activities

ASC Awarded Service Organization of the Year

African Services Committee was honored to be awarded 2015 Service Organization of the Year recently at WomenWerk's Gala. ASC's Case Manager and Policy Advocate Bakary Tandia accepted the award on behalf of Founder and Co- executive Director Asfaha Hadera, who could not attend.  

 

"The profile of the event was greatly heightened by the exceptional achievements of the honorees and the remarkable presence of Letitia James, NYC Public Advocate and Councilman Mark Levine. The City Council Proclamation presented to WomenWerk by the latter was in appreciation of its creative leadership and its noble mission," Tandia said.  

 

The gala was a black-tie dinner with entertainment and other distinguished honorees including New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, City College University President Dr. Lisa. S. Coicio, NY Women's Chamber of Commerce President Quenia Abreu and Jimmie Briggs of Barnard College and Founder of The ManUp Campaign.  

 

WomenWerk is a non-profit founded by Nekpen Osuan and Demi Ajayi in honor of International Women's Day. The organization brings women and men together for a modern take on International Women's Day, celebrated annually in March. For more information, click here to visit the WomenWerk website.  

 

African Services Committee Thanks You! 

Editors note: ASC is grateful for every donation and we'd like to take a moment in this new series to highlight a few of our recent donors who have made our critical work possible.  


Julie Mehretu, right, at ASC's "From Harlem to Addis" celebration at the WNYC Jerome L. Greene Space
on Oct. 29, 2013.

 

All of us at African Services Committee are so very thankful for recent generous donations from H. van Ameringen Foundation, Julie Mehretu and BGI Ethiopia and Castel Wineries who continue to believe in us and the work we do.  Whether in our Harlem programs or in one of our five clinics in Ethiopia, we continue to empower the most vulnerable with our donors' support. Merci Beaucoup!
Immigration Reform

ASC Rallies with Congressman Rangel on Immigration Reform

  

African Services' staff and clients joined Congressman Charles Rangel, other elected officials and partner organizations in a rally for immigration reform.

 

Congressman Rangel hosted the event on May 12 in the Bronx to push for reform and provide information about recent executive action on immigration, also known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA). Attendees heard from community leaders on how the immigrant community can urge Congress and the administration to move forward with much-needed reform. 

 

"Immigrants remain integral to the success and strength of our nation," said Congressman Rangel.

 

"I am proud that President Obama took executive actions toward immigration reform, however, we must keep fighting to enact comprehensive immigration reform. We must not give up hope of securing a fair and sensible solution that protects those who contribute to our nation and eliminate the pervasive fear of persecution and racial prejudice."

 

Executive Action Immigration Update

 

TEXAS V. UNITED STATES

The Federal District Court Decision Regarding the DACA and DAPA Initiatives

  

A judge issued a decision on Feb. 16, 2015 that may delay the timeline for submitting new DAPA and DACA applications. The judge's decision is temporary and is being challenged by the Department of Justice in a higher court. It is still important to continue gathering documentation and preparing to apply for DAPA and DACA so you can be ready to apply as soon as immigration authorities are ready to accept applications.

 

"If you've been in America for more than five years; if you have children who are American citizens or legal residents; if you register, pass a criminal background check, and you're willing to pay your fair share of taxes -- you'll be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily, without fear of deportation. You can come out of the shadows and get right with the law," President Obama announced.     

 

 

In a narrow ruling that did not address the constitutionality of these initiatives, the district court temporarily blocked the implementation of the DAPA and the expanded DACA initiative by issuing an injunction. The court based the decision on an argument that the federal government did not comply with rulemaking procedures under federal law, according to the National Immigration Law Center. This decision temporarily halts implementation of the DAPA and expanded DACA initiatives, which means these initiatives will not go into effect unless this decision is overturned by a higher court, or by the district court itself.

 

On March 24th the Fifth Circuit Court of appeals issued an order setting out key dates both for the Department of Justice's request to overturn the injunction pending a full appeal and with respect to the briefing schedule for the full appeal, according to the Law Center. This sort of emergency request could be decided potentially in a matter of days or weeks, but until a further ruling from the district court, appellate court, or the U.S. Supreme Court, the new initiatives will temporarily be blocked.  

It is important to note that the original 2012 DACA program is not affected by the decision, nor are the federal government's new "enforcement priorities," which were announced on November 20, 2014. Also, people may still request deferred action under longstanding procedures that require the person to send a deferred action request to his or her local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office, according to the NILC.  

 

African Services Committee's legal team is gearing up to help clients apply for the announced deferred action program if and when the reforms are no longer blocked. It is very important for immigrants to protect themselves from immigration fraud during this time.  

Click here for updates.
 

 Ebola-Related TPS

 

 

ASC, Partners Hold Legal Clinic on Ebola-Related

Temporary Protected Status   

Next Free TPS Clinic Set for May 2

 

On Feb. 7, 2015 African Services Committee's legal team partnered with the United States Sierra Leonean Association, the City Bar Justice Center, volunteer attorneys from around the city, Staten Island Liberian Community Association, and the Guinean Association of Staten Island to conduct a free Ebola-related temporary protected status (TPS) legal clinic for nationals of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The clinic took place at the United States Sierra Leonean Association in Park Hill, Staten Island. 

 

Attorneys explained what TPS grants, helped attendees complete the TPS application, explained fees and the fee waiver process, work permit application and answered questions. TPS is a temporary status for nationals of designated countries, usually those that have experienced a conflict, natural disaster, or some other extraordinary event. TPS gives these nationals a safe haven from being legally compelled to return to their country, while their country experiences one of these extreme events. Haiti was designated as eligible for TPS following the earthquake in 2010.   

 

The next free Ebola-related TPS clinic is set for May 2, 2015 from 11 am to 4 pm at the United States Sierra Leonean Association, Lobby AB, 141 Park Hill, Staten Island. 

 

Click here to view and download the TPS checklist in English and here for the French version.

 

For more information or questions about the clinic call 212.222.3882 or email  immigration@africanservices.org.

 

 

AIDS Walk!


"In the future, we and your own children will join hands to celebrate an old but new world filled with justice, plenty of food to eat, clothes to cover our body, clean drinking water, safe streets and good schools, hospitals and clinics for all." - from children in our pediatric HIV program

 

Support African Services' Pediatric HIV Programs by joining or donating to our

2015 New York AIDS Walk Team  

 

100% of proceeds will directly support the nutrition needs of children receiving treatment and care at our HIV clinics in Ethiopia.        

 

Just $25 can provide food for a child for one month.

 

Donate to the ASC Ethiopia Pediatric HIV Programs here.

Health Fair

 

 

ASC, Partners Announce Staten Island Health Fair 

 

African Services is thrilled to be partnering once again with Staten Island's International Christian Center (ICC), along with the Korean Community Services, for a health fair from 4 to 8 pm on April 26, 2015, at ICC, 1501 Richmond Ave, Staten Island.  The fair will include free testing for hepatitis B and C, blood glucose, blood pressure, among other tests.  Healthcare navigators will also be on hand.

 

Click here for updates.  

   

    

   

Raising Critical Support to Help the Most Vulnerable 
  

Help us reach 50K! 

 

SAVE THE DATE: We are so excited to announce Mojito owners Luam Wersom and Juan Carlos Ganz will be holding a fundraising event for ASC's Ethiopia clinics on Sept. 9, 2015 at Seattle's largest indoor and outdoor music venue Nectar: www.nectarlounge.com.  Details to follow! 

 

The exceedingly generous folks at Seattle's landmark restaurant MOJITO aren't just about serving the finest Latin American cuisine; they are also dedicated to extending a helping hand to some of the most vulnerable and at risk populations around the globe. Thanks to owners Luam Wersom and Juan Carlos Ganz, this year Mojito is helping African Services Committee raise critical financial support for their five grassroots health clinics in Ethiopia, which are providing comprehensive HIV/ TB prevention, testing and care services for the most vulnerable children and families-many of whom have been orphaned by AIDS or come from families living on less than $1 a day.  A donation of as little as $15 to African Services Committee can provide one week of nutrition and food supplies for a family in Ethiopia. Donations go directly to those in need.


Mojito's delicious steak parilla and tostones featured on Food Network's "One Last Bite."

 

MOJITO was recently featured on the Food Network's "One Last Bite." Click here to learn why American Idol Blake Lewis' last meal would be Mojito's delicious steak parilla and tostones.    

 

Please click here to donate. Simply select "ASC Ethiopia (general)" to designate the donation to ASC's Ethiopia program and write "Mojito Seattle" under the section "I want my donation to be dedicated" to dedicate the donation to Mojito Seattle. Click here to learn more.

 

    

#IDNYC

New NYC ID Available Regardless of Immigration Status

Mayor Bill de Blasio recently launched New York City's free identification card initiative for all New York City residents-regardless of immigration status! Learn more here
 
 

Fun in the City
Eirik Omlie, Communications Director recommends...

   

Focus On African Literature: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Co-Curates PEN World Voices Festival In NYC

   

The PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature returns to New York City this May for a week-long celebration of contemporary literary movements from across Africa and the diaspora. Grammy-nominated Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was tapped to serve as co-curator of the festival's African program, and will be delivering the festival's closing address.

 

The festival features a spectacular roster of 100 writers from 30 countries, including Ghanaian-born Jamaican poet Kwame Dawes, Nigerian essayist Teju Cole, Senegalese screenwriter Boubacar Boris Diop, South African visual activist Zanele Muholi, Cameroonian publisher Ntone Edjabe, Haitan novelist Edwige Danticat, and Kenyan writers Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Billy Kahora, Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor and Binyavanga Wainaina.  

 

Click here to learn more.  



  

Rock Collective Tal National  

WHEN: April 2 

WHERE: The Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University  

3 Spruce St, New York, NY 10038

 

Click here for ticket info.  

 

Rockers Tal National hail from the nation of Niger. The band's hugely popular and entrancing sound is based on guitar and percussion-driven grooves that are bursting with fiery energy and vocalist/band leader Almeida's powerful voice (he works as a teacher and a judge while still playing five-hour sets with his band most nights of the week). This concert celebrates the release of the group's first album "Kaani" on top rock label Fat Cat.

 

Tal National mix energy and precision with an engagingly hybrid style. There are echoes of sped-up desert blues and reminders of the Fuji tradition of Nigeria, to the south, in some of the percussion. But what makes this band special is their full-tilt approach, and a hypnotic intensity, according to The Guardian

 

Check out a new video from their new album here and their website here.  

 

Looking Back at a Great Year for ASC


Check out ASC's 2013 Annual Report

From a spotlight on an amazing ASC client, to a feature on ASC's navigation to care, to celebrating 10 years of services in Ethiopia, 2013 was an outstanding year for African Services Committee.  

  

Click here to download a printable PDF of the 2013 Annual Report. 

 



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