Forum on Current Immigration Issues
MILLTOWN, NJ - United Way of Central Jersey is hosting its annual form to address issues facing both the immigrant population and those agencies that provide services. The event will take place on April 30th at Middlesex County College and will feature speakers from both the public and private sectors.
“UWCJ has been involved in immigration issues for over 13 years”, said Lawrence P. O’Connell, Chair of the United Way Board of Trustees. “We have been very concerned about the challenges facing our immigrant community and have been advocates to support and protect their interests since 2006.”
UWCJ has been a leader, along with many other organizations, in illuminating the issues faced by our immigrant friends and neighbors. Lee Livingston, United Way Board Vice Chair and Chair of the Immigrant Integration Committee, said that “in light of the current environment United Way has renewed our commitment to this crucial work by reaching out to all affected parties to both seek positive and progressive changes and to offer clear and accurate information related to the critical issues of the day.”
Gloria Aftanski, United Way President and Chief Professional Officer, noted that with the current environment of fear, mistrust and rumor regarding immigration, the organization felt that it was of critical importance to convene a gathering of stakeholders for three purposes:
1. For government officials to provide as accurate and dispassionate information as possible about the current state of rules, regulations, practice and recourse.
2. For the broader community to voice issues and concerns about current challenges and suggest positive recommendations.
3. Role model how a civil society of people with very different points of view can come together in respectful dialogue, hopefully for the common good.
“United Way believes that events like the forum allow for dissemination of factual information and the surfacing of practical practice issues“, Ms. Aftanski said. “We hope that this event starts an honest dialogue among all parties to help us to better manage and begin to resolve the challenging issues facing our communities”.
A current agenda is attached. Participants can register for the event by going to this page on the United Way website: https://www.uwcj.org/immigration-conference-april-30-2019.
Media Contact:
Gloria Aftanski
About United Way
United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. Supported by 2.9 million volunteers, 8.3 million donors worldwide and $4.6 billion raised every year, United Way is the world’s largest privately-funded nonprofit. We’re engaged in nearly 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide to create sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our communities. United Way partners include global, national and local businesses, nonprofits, government, civic and faith-based organizations, along with educators, labor leaders, health providers, senior citizens, students and more.
Organizations Comprising the
Immigrant Integration Committee
Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple
Churches Improving Communities
Community Child Care Solutions
Greater New Brunswick Day Care Center
Jewish Family Service
Literacy NJ
New Labor
Puerto Rican Action Board
Puerto Rican Association for Human Development
United Way of Central Jersey