Marking International Migrants Day: NWNY Reflects on 10 Years of Empowering Immigrant Women
New York, NY, December 18, 2024 – As the world observes International Migrants Day, New Women New Yorkers (NWNY) reflects on its decade-long journey of empowering immigrant women to thrive in their new home. This milestone year marks a celebration of the organization’s 10-year anniversary and the incredible stories of resilience, transformation, and success among its participants.
Founded in 2014, NWNY has become a leader in addressing the unique barriers faced by immigrant women in New York City, from navigating the job market to learning a new language and balancing family responsibilities. Through its holistic workforce development programs and supportive community, NWNY has fostered a network where immigrant women build confidence and job readiness skills, secure meaningful employment and other opportunities, and embrace their new lives with pride.
“As a two-time immigrant myself, I’ve seen the incredible resilience and strength immigrant women bring to their journeys,” said Arielle Kandel, Founder and CEO of NWNY. “At New Women New Yorkers, we’ve always wanted to support them in going beyond survival jobs. Our mission is to empower them to secure meaningful, well-paid jobs with good conditions, creating a future where they can thrive.”
A Decade of Impact and Growth
Since its founding, NWNY has:
- Empowered over 2,000 immigrant women through workforce development, community education, and storytelling programs.
- Graduated 66 cohorts from its LEAD job readiness program and 17 cohorts from Bridge to LEAD, designed for women with beginner English skills.
- Started building career pathways into high-need and high-growth industries, including clean energy, technology, finance, healthcare, and education.
- Collaborated with 50+ organizations to create networking, training, and job opportunities for participants.
“Every immigrant woman who walks through our doors brings her own story of challenges, hope, and determination,” said Kibel Manzano, Program Manager and a graduate of NWNY’s LEAD program. “From Day 1, we are here to support them as they build their confidence and pursue their professional goals.”
Stories of Transformation
To honor its 10-year milestone, NWNY is highlighting the inspiring journeys of its graduates:
- Diana, a civil engineer from Costa Rica, overcame the challenges of adapting to the U.S. job market. After graduating from NWNY’s LEAD program, she regained her confidence and secured a role as an Estimating Specialist at a leading construction company.
- Dulce, from Honduras and Nicaragua, arrived in the U.S. less than a year ago and quickly integrated into her new community. With support from NWNY, she landed her dream role as a Bilingual Copywriter at an ad agency.
- Linh, from Vietnam, rebuilt her career in education after completing NWNY’s LEAD program. She now works as a Teacher Assistant, fulfilling her passion for supporting students.
Looking to the Future
As NWNY reflects on the past 10 years, it is also preparing for an exciting new chapter: the opening of its first dedicated space in 2024. This community hub will allow NWNY to expand its programming, offer more frequent workshops and networking opportunities, and host regular clinics on topics like mental health and financial counseling.
“Now our focus is on the industries of the future,” added Arielle. “We are creating pathways for immigrant women into fields like clean energy and technology—industries that offer long-term economic stability and growth.”
Join the Campaign: Building Futures Together
As NWNY celebrates its 10-year anniversary, it calls on the NYC community to join its mission by donating to its 10-Year Anniversary Campaign. Contributions will help fund expanded programming and ensure more immigrant women can access the resources they need to thrive.
👉 Visit the campaign: nwny10years.causevox.com
Follow NWNY’s journey on social media:
- Instagram & Facebook: @NewWomenNY
- LinkedIn: New Women New Yorkers
About New Women New Yorkers
New Women New Yorkers (NWNY) is a woman- and immigrant-led nonprofit dedicated to empowering immigrant women through workforce development and community support. Since 2014, NWNY has fostered an inclusive space where immigrant women can find belonging, build skills, and thrive in their new home.
