For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Nadia Khasawneh, New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), nkhasawneh@nylag.org
Clinics Starting Later This Summer Will Provide Dashers Direct Access to Legal Assistance and Counseling in English and Spanish
NEW YORK, NY – DoorDash and the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) today announced a new partnership to offer free and confidential immigration legal clinics for New York City Dashers to help ensure that critical legal services are as accessible as possible to Dashers and their families who may need help navigating immigration services.
The partnership will initially include free clinics exclusively for Dashers, which will provide opportunities for them to access legal guidance and assistance on a wide-range of potentially complex immigration matters including applications for legal permanent residency, citizenship, DACA renewals for childhood arrivals, and exploring additional options and future steps for asylum seekers.
The clinics, expected to begin later this summer, will include professional immigration attorneys who will provide individualized legal counseling in English and Spanish, creating a tailored program that enables participating Dashers to receive personalized counsel and support for their specific needs and issues.
“Right now, New York City’s immigrant communities are facing a humanitarian crisis, and it is vital that they be given the legal support they need to navigate a complex immigration system, assert their rights, and build lives in this country,” said Jodi Ziesemer, director of the Immigrant Protection Unit at New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG). “These clinics will allow NYLAG’s expert immigration lawyers to meet Dashers within a trusted setting, reducing one of the many barriers they face to accessing personalized legal assistance and understanding their options. We thank DoorDash for this partnership and for recognizing the urgent importance of legal support for our immigrant neighbors.”
“We are proud to collaborate with NYLAG on such an important initiative that could provide life-changing resources for Dashers and their families, many of which are members of New York’s immigrant community,” said Ivan Garcia, Senior Manager for Northeast Public Engagement, DoorDash. “It is a priority for DoorDash to find meaningful ways to support the diverse communities that Dashers comes from, and this partnership will provide access to the tools needed to navigate the complex immigration process, and guidance from a trusted organization that has helped thousands of immigrants over more than three decades of service.”
This partnership highlights DoorDash and NYLAG’s commitment to supporting the immigrant community and breaking down the barriers that may exist to accessing this critical legal assistance. The specific dates for the clinics will be announced in the coming weeks, and DoorDash will work to directly communicate with local Dashers and local community groups to make sure Dashers are aware of this opportunity and provide additional information about the sessions, including how to register.
“DoorDash and NYLAG’s partnership demonstrates the incredible impact that can be achieved when organizations come together to support their community,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation. “We are excited to see this work on behalf of immigrant New Yorkers who use these platforms to help bring in extra income and know that this initiative brings us one step closer to achieving our mutual goals of empowering immigrant communities across New York.”
“As a representative of an immigrant community, I know first hand how difficult it is to access legal counseling and services. I commend DoorDash and NYLAG for their joint effort to provide free immigration legal clinics for delivery workers. These services will be life-changing for Dashers and their families,” said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa.
“By offering these legal clinics, DoorDash and NYLAG are empowering delivery workers and their families in their path to a brighter future. These legal clinics are necessary when immigrant rights are being challenged and causing uncertainty for so many immigrant families,” said Council Member Marjorie Velázquez.
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About NYLAG and DoorDash
New York Legal Assistance Group
Founded in 1990, New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) is a leading civil legal services organization combating economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who achieves justice. Our comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships impacted the lives of 113,000 people last year. www.nylag.org
DoorDash
DoorDash (NYSE: DASH) is a technology company that connects consumers with their favorite local businesses in more than 25 countries across the globe. Founded in 2013, DoorDash builds products and services to help businesses innovate, grow, and reach more customers. DoorDash is building infrastructure for local commerce, enabling merchants to thrive in the convenience economy, giving consumers access to more of their communities, and providing work that empowers. With DoorDash, there is a neighborhood of good in every order.
