The
New Americans Initiative Provides Free Citizenship Help
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Insider LA Times: 7.25.2018 by Madina Safdari
Nestled
in the heart of downtown Los Angeles sits Central Library, competing with the
grandeur of banks and skyscrapers. Well established in comparison to other Los
Angeles Public Library (LAPL) branches, Central library serves as the hub for
all services and resources imaginable.
“A
lot of us, we go to the library to search for information, so I think it’s nice
to know that the library provides additional services” Rita Orantes of the Central American Resource Center
(CARECEN) said.
Since
its inception in 1872, LAPL has grown to offer more than just book borrowing
and a quiet place to study. Their free and extensive programs target community needs
such as tutoring, financial guidance, veterans support, and recently an
immigration and citizenship service.
Librarian
Madeline Peña used the resources at the LAPL to pave her own path to
citizenship. With the help of the library’s citizenship materials that preceded
the new expanded program, she became naturalized in 2009.
“I
checked out study materials, I studied all my civics questions. We all drive
here in Los Angeles, so I used to put my CD in and listen to all the questions
in both English and Spanish. Having those free resources really made things
easy for me,” Peña said.
Peña
said the LAPL has always aimed to serve their diverse communities.
With
the launch of the New Americans Initiative (NAI) in January, the LAPL sought to
support L.A.’s immigrant population with six New Americans Centers and welcome
stations at all 73 branches. Their resources include, but are not limited to,
second language resources, family services, “know your rights” cards, financial
coaching, job opportunities and citizenship classes. READ
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