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Recession hits Irish immigration centers in New York

Donations are down as need for services rise

By
APRIL DREW,
Irish Voice Reporter

Published Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 1:08 PM
Updated Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 1:20 PM

 

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The Aisling Irish Community Center in Yonkers

Irish immigration centers in New York are feeling the pinch of the recession and are concerned about the future of their services.

Spokespersons for the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, with offices in Queens and the Bronx, and the Aisling Irish Community Center in Yonkers told the Irish Voice this week that although the Irish government has already pledged their annual funding for the coming year, essential donations from local businesses and the community are down considerably.

“The Irish government’s funding has now become even more critical for us with other sources cut back somewhat substantially. With our resources being so strained I don’t know what we would do without it,” said Brian O’Dwyer, chairman of the board at the Emerald Isle Immigration Center. This coming year the Emerald Isle is expected to get $210,000 from the Irish government.

Orla Doherty, executive director at the Aisling Irish Community Center, said there has been a tremendous growth in the demand for services from the center, which in turns puts added pressure on the staff and the financial resources at their disposal.

“People now seek our assistance with issues such as claiming unemployment benefits, other entitlements, health insurance issues, preparing resumes and submitting job applications,” said Doherty.

“There is no doubt there has also been a significant upsurge in the number of people seeking counseling as a result of domestic violence or relationship issues, alcohol and drug dependency or financial problems.”

O’Dwyer echoed the same sentiments as Doherty.

“There are a lot more people using the center now for various reasons. The reverse migration is certainly over, and now for the first time in many years people are showing up at our door step that have left Ireland in search of work. There is no question that the desperate economic situation in Ireland has brought lots more people to our center,” said O’ Dwyer. 

“Our staff, which has always been lean, is now much leaner and doing much more with less money,” he added.

 Both centers also receive funding from their local cities, but cutbacks in budgets means less money this year.  

The Emerald Isle receives some funding each year from the New York City Council and some monies from the borough of Manhattan, but this year it is less. 

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