EIIC Events
Press Release: President Higgins at Emerald Isle
President Higgins Visits the Emerald Isle Immigration Center in Woodlawn
President Michael D. Higgins visited Emerald Isle Immigration Center on Wednesday May 2nd, accompanied by his wife Sabina, Ambassador Michael Collins and Consul General Noel Kilkenny. He was welcomed by EIIC Chair Brian O’Dwyer, members of the Center’s Board and Staff. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz greeted the President with a proclamation and declared May 2 “Irish Day” in the Borough.
The President was then introduced to all of the Center’s programs and spoke with many participants and volunteers about the work of Emerald Isle. In these difficult times he was particularly impressed by the work of the Center in alleviating the strain on the most vulnerable members of the community. Addressing the audience, President Higgins said that: “What is important is the kind of solidarity you show; the care, the instinct to look at strangers as someone like yourself.”
President Higgins was presented with a blanket that was made by the Center’s Knitting Group and met with the Gaelic Group. As a fluent gaeilgeoir he held a lively conversation with the group “ as gaeilge”, overcoming the gap between the dialects of Kerry and Connemara. The musical traditions of Ireland were represented by the beautiful singing of Mar y Courtney, who played throughout and was warmly greeted by the President and his wife.
Executive Director Siobhan Dennehy said that “We were thrilled with the opportunity to showcase the work of our staff and we were all delighted to have been part of the President’s inaugural visit to the United States.”
The assembled crowd was addressed by Chair Brian O’Dwyer, President Higgins and Board Member Jim Lombard, who made a presentation to the President. All of the speakers affirmed the importance of the work that the Center is doing, the multicultural nature of the services and the importance of community and hospitality in its work.
Emerald Isle Immigration Center: Drawing from the momentum of the campaign for immigration reform in the 1980’s, Emerald Isle was created to provide an outlet for the Irish community to receive immigration assistance. The Center has expanded over the years to provide a broad range of services, including immigration, social services and employment programs, to a wide cross-section of the immigrant population in New York and its environs.
The Center has dedicated immigration staff in Queens and the Bronx who assists thousands of immigrants each year, helping them with anything from finding a job on arrival to processing for citizenship. These services are provided for free and are supported by the Government of Ireland’s Emigrant Support Program, the City Council of New York, NY State and the kind donations of many individuals.
Please contact Executive Director Siobhan Dennehy for further details on the event and Emerald Isle’s programs and history.
Minister Joan Burton Visits Queens
Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton visited the Emerald Isle in Queens on March 15, meeting Irish community members, the staff of the Center and Executive Board Member Mae O’Driscoll. The visit was an opportunity for the Minister to see the work of the Center and discuss the issues that Irish immigrants face.
Over the course of an hour’s conversation, the Minister answered questions from those in attendance, discussed the pot holes in Cavan’s roads and outlined the challenges facing the Government of Ireland in getting the country back on track.
Social Worker Marguerite Corcoran presented the Minister with a beautiful green, white and orange shawl that was made by the Bronx Knitting Group. Photos are available on the EIIC Facebook page.
As always when Irish politicians are visiting the Emerald Isle, the event proved a great success, in no small part thanks to the work of the Consulate’s staff. Thanks to all those who came to meet the Minister, to the Knitting Group, to Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer and to Minister Burton herself.
Advocacy at City Hall and Albany
EIIC participated in a number of advocacy events in New York City and Albany over the last few weeks, highlighting the difficulties that immigrants face and encouraging legislators to enact solutions.
EIIC was well represented at the NYIC’s Annual Day of Action on April 17 at City Hall. Staff, including Executive Director Siobhan Dennehy and Director of Legal Services John Stahl, Esq., met with city politicians to discuss the issues facing immigrants in New York City. The Center also brought a group of community members who joined over 200 immigrants at the event.
On March 14 EIIC staff and a bus full of community members went upstate to participate in the Immigrants’ Day of Action in Albany. The event was organized by New York Immigration Coalition of which the Center is an active and engaged member. Thanks to all of those who traveled and delivered a message to legislators about the needs of immigrants in New York.
Photos of both advocacy days are available on the EIIC Facebook page.
The Celtic Cruise to Benefit the EIIC, June 6, 2012
Celtic Charity Inc & AOH div. 7 Present
The Celtic Cruise – Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Music, Dancing, Great Food and Fun Aboard The Spirit of New York to Benefit the Emerald Isle Immigration Center!
Featuring Live Music by Celtic Cross The Cunningham Brothers The Shay Mac Band The Chris Kelly Band
Full open Bar – Hot & Cold Buffet Dinner – Dessert
General Admission, Presale: $100, After April 30: $110
For more info visit: www.celticcharity.com or call 212-717-9955
Board at Chelsea Piers, Pier 62, West 23rd Street & 12th Ave. NYC
Board 6:00 pm/Sail 6:45 pm Return 10:00 pm Party ‘til 10:30
Amazing raffle prizes 1st prize: Two R/T tickets to Ireland 2nd prize: $500 gift certificate to Broadway.com 3rd prize: Dine around Manhattan