8 Highlights from 2022
Marching at NYC Pride, 2022
As 2022 comes to a close, we want to highlight and celebrate some of our favorite moments of the year.
This year, the NYSYLC leaned heavily into healing and art as ways to cope with the collective trauma our community has endured during the pandemic. We worked to rebuild the sense of community that was lost, create pockets of joy in the midst of political turmoil, and energize ourselves for the work that lies ahead.
@nysylc Our first episode of #UndoCulture <3 where we’ll highlight udocu folks and culture in different fields like the arts, film, business, music, fashion, & beauty:-) #nyc #undocumented #culture #fyp ♬ original sound - NYSYLC
1. Uplifting Undocu Culture
In our TikTok series “Undocu Culture,” Shaina highlights undocu folks and culture in the arts, film, business, music, fashion, and beauty, and connects art exhibits and pop culture to the immigrant experience.
All Episodes of Undocu Culture:
Don’t forget to check out our other TikTok series like Immigrant Men Talk, Video Diaries by Immigrant Women, Returning Home: My Experience with Advanced Parole, and Immigrant Book Recommendations. Tiktok: @nysylc
@nysylc thank you to everyone who came and our collab partners @ undocunature. make nature accessible to all! #nyc #free #undocutok ♬ FOLLOW Cpski Prod.by Loudz - CPski
2. We Went Hiking!
On August 20th, we teamed up with Undocu Nature to host an Undocu Hike at Twin Islands Loop in Pelham Bay Park. Founded by NYSYLC members, Undocu Nature is “a group of undocu and formerly undocu folks who are reclaiming nature through outdoor exploration, reconnecting with ourselves and the world around us.”
More community-building events:
3. Launching Our Immigrant Daughters’ Support Group
In February we launched our Immigrant Daughters’ Support Group, a monthly virtual space for immigrant women to share and support each other through grounding and intentional conversations. Our members range from high school students to mothers and adults. Swipe through to read some of the topics that have come up in our meetings.
4. Our First Undocu Photography Workshop
On May 27, our members learned the principles of photography, reflected on the significance of photography, and practiced with cameras supplied by NYSYLC. This event was organized by Aldo (@alditosphoto), who is also our Undocu Academy Coordinator and president of John Jay Dreamers.
5. Undocu Student Meet Up at John Jay College
On October 28, our Community Organizer Maria — formerly our Dream Team Network Coordinator and president of BMCC Dream Team — organized our first in-person Undocu Student Meetup since the pandemic started. Undocumented high school and college students across NYC met for the first time after so many virtual meetings. Students bonded through crafts, games, and icebreakers, laying the groundwork for future collaboration.
This event was organized in partnership with the Immigrant Student Success Center at John Jay College.
6. Our First Virtual IYECon
Before the pandemic, we gathered 300 members in-person every year for IYECon, our Immigrant Youth Empowerment Conference. At IYECon, youth, parents, educators, and allies attend workshops to discuss resources, immigrants’ rights, history, systems of oppression, and strategies for change.
This year we revived IYECon in a virtual format to keep our community safe. Weekend 1 workshops focused on self-expression and healing, while Weekend 2 discussed options after high school, accessing college, and finding work.
Maggie, Madai and Leni of @otros_dreams_en_accion joined us for our workshop “Collage Making / Immigrant Women Talk” to share more about activism, feminism, art, and immigrant justice in Mexico as women who were forced to return.
7. Launching Our Organizing Team
We expanded our organizing strategy this year by launching an Organizing Team, a team of undocumented youth seeking to organize in their communities and build campaigns for immigrant justice. The Organizing Team includes students and non-students alike, and is an expansion of our Dream Team Network. In March and April, we held Get Active trainings where Organizing Team members learned about community organizing, systems of oppression, advocacy strategies, and ongoing campaigns.
s@nysylc TODAYY🥲🤍 we had our second annual Undocu networking event for our senior academy students!!!! Applications for the academy are still open until June 25th! #undocu #nyc #immigrant #netoworking #PerfectPrideMovement ♬ You Found Me - Instrumental Pop Songs
8. Welcoming Undocu Academy’s Class of 2023
NYC schools are woefully underprepared to support undocumented high school students with preparing for life after high school. Undocu Academy provides undocumented high school students with mentorship, leadership development, and 1-on-1 support with accessing college, financial aid, and career paths. Students attend group workshops twice a week and meet 1-on-1 with mentors and facilitators.
We closed out Undocu Academy’s Class of 2022 with a networking event and graduation ceremony where students reflected on their growth over the past year. This semester, Undocu Academy’s Class of 2023 welcomed 9 new students and mentors, and we supported the students with completing CUNY and SUNY applications. Next semester we will shift our focus to political education, professional development, and scholarships.
You Make this Work Possible
In recognition of International Migrants Day (December 18), we invite you to make a year-end gift to New York’s first and only nonprofit openly led by undocumented youth.
