NYC migrant kids selling candy highlight child care crisis
A recent survey conducted across New York City reveals that the majority of migrant vendors with children, often seen selling fruit cups and candy on the subway, are unable to secure other employment due to a lack of child care. More than 80% of these vendors reported insufficient child care, according to the aid group Algun Día.
The survey, which included 75 vendors, found that over a third were women under the age of 25, with 75% originating from Ecuador. Men, many of whom were single fathers, comprised 17% of the respondents. Shockingly, 93% of those surveyed had not received assistance from any organization, and less than a third resided in city shelters.
Algun Día, a group of about 20 bilingual volunteer social workers, has been canvassing migrant street vendors with children since earlier this year. They aim to connect these families with child care, legal help, and other social services. However, the survey results highlight a pressing and underrecognized need for child care among migrant families, which poses a significant barrier to better employment opportunities.
The findings come at a time when city council members and other officials are urging Mayor Eric Adams’ administration to allocate more funding for migrant support services. This includes the renewal and expansion of the Promise NYC program, which provides child care for migrants who may be ineligible for other government-funded options due to their immigration status. Despite its importance, the program’s funding is set to expire at the end of the month, and it was not included in Mayor Adams’ proposed executive budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The city administration has been working to make child care more accessible, with efforts to reduce the cost of city-funded programs. However, advocates argue that more needs to be done to reach this vulnerable population. The New York Immigration Coalition’s Liza Schwartzwald emphasized that existing programs are often unknown to those who need them most.
City Hall officials have consulted with Algun Día about policies concerning migrant family vendors, and the NYPD has been distributing informational flyers with links to resources. Despite these efforts, the lack of sufficient child care remains a significant challenge, impacting the livelihoods and stability of migrant families across New York City.
Source: Gothamist
NYC migrant kids selling candy highlight child care crisis
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