Sepa Mujer Inc

SEPA MUJER HAS BEEN SERVING IMMIGRANT WOMEN IN LONG ISLAND, NY SINCE 1993. WE BRING TOGETHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ADVOCATES. TOGETHER WE SPEAK OUT AGAINST INJUSTICE, PROVIDE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES AND SERVICES. WE STAND AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PUSH FOR SOCIAL CHANGE.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH:WE WORK WITH THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN LONG ISLAND TO BUILD COLLECTIVE POWER AND FIGHT FOR JUSTICE THROUGHOUT SEVERAL SOCIAL JUSTICE CAMPAIGNS. WE JOIN CAMPAIGNS TO BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITIES ON ISSUES SUCH AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, WAGE THEFT, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AT WORKPLACE, LANGUAGE ACCESS, HEALTH EQUITY, RIGHTS FOR EXCLUDED WORKERS, ETC. WE ORGANIZED WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY IN SCHOOLS, NON-PROFITS AGENCIES AND ANY PLACE WHERE INFORMATION WAS REQUESTED EXCLUDED WORKERS FUND CAMPAIGN: WORKING ALONG THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, SEPA MUJER WAS ABLE TO HELP COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACCESS BENEFITS AVAILABLE UNDER THE EXCLUDED WORKERS FUND. SEPA MUJER ASSISTED WITH THE APPLICATION PROCESS, ASSISTED RECIPIENTS IN CARDHOLDER FRAUD DISPUTES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY PROVIDED OUTREACH AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROCESS AND RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EXCLUDED WORKERS. WHEN THE APPLICATIONS CLOSED, SEPA MUJER SHIFTED ITS ENERGY TO REFERRALS OF CRITICAL SERVICES TO THOSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO APPLY AND WHO WERE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE FUNDS BUT STILL NEEDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. WE CONDUCTED STREET OUTREACH, TABLING SERVICES, PRESENTATIONS, SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH, AND DISTRIBUTED FLYERS TO REACH OUT AND PROVIDE CRITICAL INFORMATION TO THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY GIRLS A.C.T SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM:OUR YOUTH PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SUFFOLK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IS SPECIFICALLY CRAFTED FOR LATINA GIRLS. OUR LATINA YOUTH PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO CREATING SAFE SPACES FOR GROWTH, MENTORING, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OF SUFFOLK COUNTYS LATINA YOUTH. EVERY SUMMER, WE PROVIDE A WARM, CONSTRUCTIVE, AND ENCOURAGING SPACE WHERE THE YOUTH ARE MENTORED AND CELEBRATED FOR THEIR CREATIVITY, LEADERSHIP, AND THEIR PEAKING INTEREST IN SOCIAL JUSTICE. YOUTHS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH SEPA MUJERS STAFF IN OUR CENTRAL OFFICE. SUFFOLK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PAYS PARTICIPANTS MINIMUM WAGE. THE YOUTH WILL LEAD PROJECTS AND TASKS IMPERATIVE TO THE GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF SEPA MUJER WHILE ENHANCING THEIR OWN SKILLS, DEVELOPING NEW PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, AND EXPLORING PATHWAYS TO CAREERS. HEALTH EQUITY PROGRAM: VACCINATION CAMPAIGNTHE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, WITH LOWER INCOME AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES BEING HIT PARTICULARLY HARD. WHEN THE COVID-19 VACCINES BECAME AVAILABLE SEPA MUJER, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NEW YORK STATE, THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS, NON-PROFIT PARTNERS, LOCAL CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, SPRANG TO ACTION TO HELP THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY HAVE ACCESS TO VACCINATIONS, AND PROVIDED EDUCATION TO PROMOTE CONFIDENCE IN THE VACCINES. 2,837 PEOPLE WERE REGISTERED BY SEPA MUJER FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINE. EFSP (EMERGENCY FOOD SHELTER PROGRAM): SEPA MUJER OBTAINED A FINANCIAL GRANT FROM THE EMERGENCY FOOD SHELTER PROGRAM (EFSP) TO HELP IMMIGRANT FAMILIES ON LONG ISLAND. THE PROGRAM PROVIDED FINANCIAL RELIEF WITH RENT, MORTGAGE, AND FOOD EXPENSES FOR PEOPLE IN NEED. THIS ASSISTANCE WAS DIRECTED TO SINGLE MOTHERS, IMMIGRANT WOMEN SURVIVORS OF GENDER VIOLENCE, AND IMMIGRANT WOMEN WHO LOST THEIR JOBS AND DID NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY OTHER TYPE OF GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. ERAP (EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM):THE EMERGENCY RENTAL PROVIDED ECONOMIC RELIEF TO HOUSEHOLDS WHO FACED HOUSING INSTABILITY AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. SEPA MUJER DIRECTLY ASSISTED LANDLORDS AND QUALIFIED TENANTS RESIDING WITHIN THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. WE ALSO CONDUCTED REGULAR OUTREACH AND FLYERS DISTRIBUTION THROUGHOUT THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN.

LEGAL SERVICES:ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVE LEGAL SERVICES IS A CRITICAL NEED FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN ESCAPING ABUSE AND VIOLENCE. THE CHARITY STRIVES TO PROVIDE QUALITY IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES TO ADULT IMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND OTHER ABUSE. ITS ATTORNEY OFFICE OFFERS LEGAL SERVICES TO THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR U VISA, T VISA, VAWA AND GENDER ASYLUM, AND MORE, WITH LITTLE TO NO CHARGE. WE UNDERSTAND THE EVERYDAY OBSTACLES IMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF SUFFOLK COUNTY FACE SUCH AS WORKERS RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, IMMIGRATION RAIDS, AND LACK OF LANGUAGE ACCESS, THE LATTER OF WHICH IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING CONSIDERING IT CAN BE A DETERMINING FACTOR IN UNREPORTED CRIMES. THEY FIERCELY ADVOCATE, ALONG WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, FOR INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME UNDER TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964.

VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS PROGRAM:THE PURPOSE OF THE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS PROGRAM IS TO HELP LATINA IMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF CRIME. THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES GENDER-BASED CRIMES (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, HUMAN TRAFFICKING) HATE CRIME, GANG VIOLENCE, AND THE FINANCIAL CRIME OF WAGE THEFT. THE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS PROGRAM STARTED IN 2019 THANKS TO THE FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF VICTIMS SERVICES. THE PROGRAM WAS EXPANDED IN 2021 WITH FUNDING FROM THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) FOR OUR THRIVING LATINAS PROGRAM AND THE OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME (OVC) FOR OUR FREEDOM PLAN PROGRAM. CASE MANAGEMENT, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND REFERRALS:CASE MANAGEMENT: PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF CRIMES SUCH DOMESTIC, SEXUAL ASSAULT, HATE CRIMES, ABUSE AT WORKPLACE AMOUNT OTHERS. SUPPORT GROUP FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, COUNSELING FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. THE SUPPORT GROUPS RUN EVERY WEEK IN PERSON AND REMOTELY. SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO LONG ISLAND RESIDENTS. AYUDA LATINA HOTLINE:24/7 SPANISH LANGUAGE HOTLINE TO HELP VICTIMS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE, HATE CRIMES, AND WAGE THEFT. AYUDA LATINA HOTLINE LAUNCHED IN APRIL 2020, RIGHT AFTER THE INITIAL SPIKE OF COLD-19 CASES. IN 2021 SEPA MUJER VOLUNTEERS TOOK 1,700 HOTLINE CALLS FROM CRIME VICTIMS AND PROVIDED SUPPORT TO OVER 600 PEOPLE CALLING ABOUT COVID-19 CONCERNS. CALLERS TO THE AYUDA LATINA HOTLINE WERE PROVIDED WITH FOOD PANTRY INFORMATION, COVID-19 TESTING AND VACCINE INFORMATION AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES. ADDITIONALLY, CRIME VICTIMS RECEIVED LEGAL IMMIGRATION CASE RELIEF THROUGH INTERNAL REFERRALS. THE SEPA MUJER CASE MANAGER CONNECTED VICTIMS TO ALL THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND HELPED THEM WITH THE VICTIMS COMPENSATION APPLICATIONS WHEN ELIGIBLE. THRIVING LATINAS:THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND STALKING WITH SKILLS THAT FACILITATE THEIR INDEPENDENCE, AND ENJOY A SENSE OF GOOD EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY ABOUT THEIR LIVES AND THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE NOT TO LIVE WITH, OR RETURN TO, ABUSIVE PARTNERS. SEPA MUJER, ALONG WITH ITS PARTNERS. SUPPORT THE LONG-TERM SAFETY, STABILITY, AND SELF- SUFFICIENCY OF LATINA IMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF GENDER-BASED CRIMES. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO EMPOWER VICTIMS TO BECOME SURVIVORS BY FOCUSING ON LONG-TERM SAFETY AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING CULTURALLY SPECIFIC RESOURCES AND SERVICES THAT ADDRESS THE SAFETY, ECONOMIC, HOUSING, AND WORKPLACE NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING, INCLUDING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVE AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES. HUMAN TRAFFICKING: THE FREEDOM PLAN: THE GOAL OF THE FREEDOM PLAN IS TO HELP VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING WITH AN EMPHASIS ON LATINA IMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF LABOR TRAFFICKING BY PROVIDING EDUCATION ABOUT THE VULNERABILITY OF LATINA IMMIGRANT TO LABOR TRAFFICKING TO BOTH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC WITH THE GOALS OF IDENTIFYING VICTIMS AND CONNECTING THEM TO SERVICES SUCH AS SAFE EMERGENCY HOUSING AND SKILLS THAT ENHANCE VICTIMS ABILITY TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY SUCH AS WORKPLACE SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY ADAPTED COUNSELING, AND SUPPORT TO DECREASE ISOLATION OF VICTIMS OF LABOR TRAFFICKING AND PROMOTE EMOTIONAL HEALING. VICTIMS ARE PROVIDED WITH ASSISTANCE IN COMPLYING WITH REASONABLE REQUESTS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER LEGAL ENTITIES IN TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS.

LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT TRAINING:ONE OF OUR PRIMARY GOALS IS TO EMPOWER LATINA IMMIGRANT WOMEN IN ALL ASPECTS OF CIVIC LIFE BY PROVIDING THEM WITH THE TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. TRAINING ADDRESSES TOPICS SUCH AS: THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IN THE UNITED STATES, THE HISTORY OF IMMIGRATION POLICY, HUMAN RIGHTS, DEVELOPMENT OF LEADERSHIP SKILLS, WOMENS RIGHTS, IMMIGRATION RELIEF FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THE WOMENS MOVEMENT IN THE WORLD AND LANGUAGE ACCESS.