Community Corner

Queens Community House Receives Funding to Aid Undocumented Youths

Forest Hills nonprofit has been given money to help undocumented young people born in the U.S. who are pursuing education or military service.

Forest Hills’ Queens Community House will now receive additional funding to aid undocumented youths pursuing education or military service.

Last year, the nonprofit became a designated agency to provide free screening and assistance to young people applying for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which is a federal directive that calls for the postponement of action for undocumented youths who came into the United States as children and plan on attending college or serving in the military.

This year, the Queens Community House will be given more money to assist eligible applicants who show proof of continued pursuit of education through English for Speakers of Other Languages classes.

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“In the absences of comprehensive immigration reform, DACA is the only relief for young people that arrived in the U.S. as children,” said K.C. Williams, director of adult education services for the Queens Community House. “This will aid them in pursuing higher education and in seeking legal employment.”

One highlight of the program is that low-income applicants are eligible to receive financial assistance with U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services fees.

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All applicants are required to provide documentation that they are currently enrolled in school or provide proof of the competition of specified education standards.

The Queens Community House’s adult education program also provides English language and literacy instruction to persons between the ages of 16 and 31 years.

Participants in the program have access to a variety of services, such as assistance with pursuing high school, high school equivalency and college education.

The nonprofit, located at 108-25 62nd Dr. in Forest Hills, has 21 sites throughout the borough that act as centers for community gathering, organizing and social service activities.


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