A history of resilience and community in New York: how an organization helps immigrants to recover their voice, health and dignity.
Ingrid Zapón arrived in the United States with the post and a prayer on the lips. He fled from Guatemala with his heart in a thread, leaving behind violence, threats and his children. He crossed the desert alone, hoping to find security and with the fear of being deported in an unknown land. Today, since his modest apartment in Brooklyn, he says he would not be here if it were not for Raisinghealtha community organization that held out his hand when he needed it most.
“I started with zero English. I didn’t know anything. Nothing. I only knew how basic ones they teach in primary,” says Ingrid, 39. “I don’t have relatives here. I’m alone.” But in a small classroom, surrounded by immigrant people like her, she began to recover more than the language: she began to heal.
Raisinghealth is not just a place to learn English – although it offers free classes every week. It is a shelter. A safe space. A place where people like Ingrid begin to heal their lives, with access to health services, emotional support and community.
“I feel very good. The psychologist helped me in the aspect to control me sentimentally. Here one lives alone, one comes alone in this country and is very strong for me.”
In addition to emotional accompaniment, Ingrid agreed to free health services. However, when leaving the hospital after a medical routine event, he received an invoice of $ 1,500. Despite having insurance, not everything was covered. “They put me to be there waiting for so long and then they only reviewed me, they didn’t give me a medicine.”
It was the team of Raisinghealth who helped her appeal the collection, translate documents, and understand her rights. “If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t know what to do.”
Courtesy photo of Grace Aaronson
Founded more than 15 years ago, Raisinghealth Accompany thousands of immigrants in Sunset Park, and other diverse communities of Brooklyn. “We do not call them customers. They are members of our community,” explains Dr. Desiree Brown-Malta, director of programs.
The organization offers English classes, personal defense, healthy kitchen workshops, health, food pantry, legal support, health fairs and psychological therapies, all adapted to the cultures and languages of those who attend. During the pandemic, they even launched a help network for the elderly, distributed food and offered online attention.
“Our programs are not born in desks. They are born from what people tell us that they need,” says Brown-Malta. “We listen first, and we act later.”
That approach has earned them national recognition. They were recently awarded by the American Psychiatric Association for their impact on mental health for immigrants.
Courtesy photo of Grace Aaronson
Another voice that adds to this story is that of Priscilla Ochoa, Ecuadorian and resident of Brooklyn for two decades. “I was praying to continue my studies in English, because I work … sometimes the studies are at night.”
“But it gave the chance that I was doing some procedures, in the church. There I learned that there were English classes. Then I found out and agreed that I could on Tuesday and Thursday.”
Priscila did not hesitate. He enrolled in the classes offered by Raisinghealth and since then he has not stopped attending.
He has also participated in cultural activities, such as visits to theater and kitchen workshops with local chefs. “This place returned my confidence.”
But Priscilla has also witnessed the fear that paralyzes others. “It has not affected me, at all. Always trusting in God,” he says peacefully. “There are many colleagues who unfortunately retired with certain fears. There are other colleagues who do not, that they say that, well, if they already have any adverse situation, they will assume it.”
Faith gives strength. Knowledge, address. And Raisinghealth offers him the sure space he was looking for so much.
Courtesy photo of Grace Aaronson
A new report from the New York City Health Department revealed that immigrants live longer (83.5 years compared to 79.9 of those born in the US), smoke less and have lower mortality rates due to heart disease and cancer. In addition, they make up 4% of the workforce in the health sector.
But critical barriers are still facing: lack of insurance, racism, idiomatic barriers and lack of access to mental health. “They are the ones that support the system most, but also the most forgotten,” says Brown-Malta.
Raisinghealth Work to change that.
Courtesy photo of Grace Aaronson
Ingrid works at night in a taquería in Rockaway, Queens. Take the train alone, more than an hour of journey. He has been a victim of harassment in stations. “Once they tried to push me to the ways. Another, the police did not want to take the complaint. I felt as if it didn’t matter.”
Although Ingrid has managed to build a new life with community effort and support, his heart is still divided by two worlds, loaded with uncertainty, faith and mother’s love:
“I hope in God that everything is resolved, because it is really very hard. I have a great debt. I have my house committed, and I start thinking: I cannot lose something that is the heritage of my children. I trust that the authorities in Guatemala can do their job, stop those people, and that I can return … or I do not know. Sometimes I also think about bringing my children, but this country is also afraid.
Do you need help in Spanish to access free services such as food, benefits, English classes, job support or counseling? Contact raisinghealth at [email protected] or (212) 256-9036.
