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Supporting Immigrant Communities on Long Island

Across Nassau and Suffolk counties, immigrant families are part of the fabric of Long Island life. Like all residents, they go to work, take their children to school, visit doctors, and contribute to their neighborhoods. Yet, for many immigrant households, daily routines are accompanied by additional uncertainty. Concerns about their legal status, the status of their loved ones, access to critical resources, and navigating complex legal systems can weigh heavily on individuals and families alike.

Every Day Life Uncertainty

Immigrant communities on Long Island balance the same responsibilities and activities as everyone else: caring for loved ones, managing work, school, and family obligations, and contributing to the local economy. At the same time, they may encounter unique challenges. Some navigate adversarial immigration court hearings, and many strive to support their families here and abroad. For these neighbors, leaving home each day sometimes carries a sense of uncertainty about what the day might bring.

The Role of Community

Facing this uncertainty head-on, Long Island communities still rally together to support those in need. Online and in person, we see stories of neighbors organizing around individuals facing sudden legal difficulties, reminding us that local solidarity can provide comfort and temporary relief. Ordinary people on Long Island are showing up for their immigrant neighbors every day—from community organizing to shopping at local immigrant-owned businesses, which can make a meaningful difference for families during uncertain times. Supporting these businesses not only strengthens local economies but also helps sustain families who rely on them. Immigrants fill roles on Long Island across all sectors and all levels, from the restaurant, agricultural, and landscaping industries, to medicine, law, and education.

Organizations Make A Difference:

Several nonprofits and advocacy groups on Long Island and beyond work to provide resources, education, and support to immigrant families. Their programs may include legal assistance, English-language instruction, workforce training, and emergency aid. By offering direct services, these organizations aim to reduce the stress that uncertainty can place on individuals and households.

Events such as resource fairs, cultural festivals, and informational workshops highlight the ways community partners collaborate to meet the needs of immigrant populations. For many participants, these gatherings are opportunities to learn about services while also building relationships and connections.

Opportunities for Connection

Discussions about immigration can be polarizing. They raise questions of law, policy, and fairness. Among this dialogue is a space for Long Islanders to come together. The phrase “solo el pueblo salva al pueblo”, translated as “only the people save the people”, is often used in immigrant spaces to describe the power of community support. While policy decisions are shaped at higher levels, local residents still play a part by standing alongside neighbors, offering assistance, and acknowledging contributions. Small actions—hiring local services, supporting immigrant businesses, or volunteering with community organizations—can have a profound impact across Nassau and Suffolk County.

Immigrant communities will likely remain an important part of Long Island’s future. Their presence is visible in classrooms, small businesses, faith communities, and workplaces of every size. Through uncertainty, opportunities for collaboration and mutual understanding may expand, creating stronger ties between immigrant and non-immigrant residents alike. Initiatives that emphasize inclusion, cultural exchange, and access to essential services can help reinforce the connections that already exist. By focusing on shared goals, such as healthy neighborhoods, strong economies, and thriving families, Long Islanders can build pathways toward resilience and stability for all who call the region home.

FAQS

What challenges can immigrant families face?

Some experience uncertainty related to legal processes, language barriers, or access to resources like housing, healthcare, and transportation.

How do communities support immigrants locally?

Neighbors often rally around families in need, while residents also show support by shopping at immigrant-owned businesses or volunteering with local organizations.

What kinds of organizations provide help?

Nonprofits and advocacy groups may offer legal assistance, language programs, workforce training, and emergency aid to immigrant households.

Learn more about this topic here.

What Food Insecurity Means for Senior Long Islanders

Right now, over 300,000 of our Long Island neighbors live with food insecurity, meaning they don’t have reliable access to enough food and often don’t know where their next meal will come from Long Island Cares. Food insecurity disproportionately affects Long Island’s seniors, with senior hunger correlating to negative health outcomes. Senior citizens face unique challenges to accessing food that other demographics may not consider: the impacts of chronic health and mobility issues that are more likely to affect seniors, difficulty with accessing transportation (especially in food deserts), and the reality of living on a fixed income like social security which may not stretch as far as the rising cost of food and cost of living.

Fresh Produce and Fresh Hope from Long Island Cares:

Organizations on Long Island have been working to address the food needs of older adults in various ways. Long Island Cares—the Harry Chapin Food Bank—has drawn attention for several initiatives designed to support seniors. In August, the organization held its fourth annual fresh produce distribution in Huntington, where nearly 500 older adults participated, according to coverage in Newsday. Events like these are often paired with resource fairs that bring together service providers and community groups. At a recent fair, 18 organizations shared programs and opportunities tailored to older Long Islanders.

Another program associated with Long Island Cares is the “Supporting Our Seniors” Mobile Pantry, which travels to senior centers across the region. These monthly visits focus on distributing emergency meals while also connecting participants with information on nutrition and related services. By bringing resources directly to senior centers, the program has attempted to reduce transportation challenges and make food access more consistent. For many attendees, these visits are not only about food but also about building a sense of community around shared support.

Rising Food Costs and Uncertainty about Aid:

Rising food prices remain a concern for many households. National data indicate that grocery costs rose an average of 8.5% in the past year, marking the largest year-to-year increase in more than a decade. For seniors on Long Island who may depend on fixed incomes like Social Security, these increases can feel particularly difficult to manage. Policy changes, such as adjustments to tax deductions or work requirements tied to food assistance programs, add another layer of complexity for those already struggling.

Household budgets for older adults often have to cover not only food but also housing, medication, and transportation. Transportation can be particularly difficult in areas on Long Island that experience a shortage of full-service grocery stores. When costs rise unevenly across categories, balancing those expenses becomes more complicated.

Long Island Cares helps bridge the gap between rising grocery prices and limited incomes. By offering access to fresh produce, nutrition support, and connections to vital community services, Long Island Cares ensures that Long Islander seniors don’t have to make the impossible choice between paying bills and putting healthy meals on the table.

Deep Pockets of Food Insecurity

Even in areas of Long Island that may appear food secure, there are pockets where residents struggle with consistent access to food. For seniors, these challenges can feel hidden from public view but remain very real on a household level. Recognizing where these needs exist is an important step in directing support to the right communities.

FAQs

What does “food insecurity” mean?

The USDA defines food insecurity as not having consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. For seniors, this can mean uncertainty about when or how they will get their next meal.

Why are seniors on Long Island especially affected?

Long Island’s older adults may face unique challenges such as fixed incomes, mobility issues, chronic health conditions, and limited access to transportation—especially in areas with fewer grocery stores.

What is Long Island Cares doing to help?

Long Island Cares runs initiatives like fresh produce distributions, annual resource fairs, and the “Supporting Our Seniors” Mobile Pantry, which delivers meals and connects seniors with community services.

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Coming Together: The Experience of Immigrant Communities on Long Island