Immigrant Civic Leadership Program 2011 Graduation

On December 8th Coro New York's Immigrant Civic leadership program celebrated its graduation at El Museo del Barrio. Twenty participants joined the Coro community. Participants were joined by Fatima Shama, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, Pat Swan of the New York Community Trust and Christine Rhee (LNY 21) of the American Express Foundation, all critical supporters of the program.

Each ICLP participant brings to the group a community change project that they work on throughout the program. In addition to their projects they gain understanding of policy and decision making in the city, the skills to effectively change their organizations, and are given access to a network of engaged and influential alumni to support them in reaching their goals.

One participant, Gonzalo Casals, who is working to bring together social change organizations in Jackson Heights, has this to say about the program: "ICLP was an extraordinary learning opportunity for me. An open door to interesting professionals, inspiring elected officials and hard working organizers that are already impacting my work. Even more valuable was the amazing group of individuals that made the 2011 cohort."

Reflecting on what she got out of the program Ligia Guallpa said, "ICLP has enriched my life by providing me with new ways of thinking, a new set of leadership tools, and terrific people connections to build a stronger community." Ligia is working to improve the lives of day laborers in New York City.

Click here to meet the other participants and learn about the change they are making in their communities.

ICLP would be not be possible without the generous support of The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, One Nation and The New York Community Trust. Critical funding was also provided by the American Express Foundation, Con Edison, the Edmond de Rothschild Foundation, Unbound Philanthropy, the Western Union Foundation and the Lily Auchincloss Foundation.

Recruitment for next year's program will begin in April.