Helpful Links for Families of English Language Learners

Engage NY

EngageNY.org is developed and maintained by the New York State Education Department to support the implementation of key aspects of the New York State Board of Regents Reform Agenda, including the Common Core Standards.

¡Colorín Colorado!

A bilingual website for families and educators of English language learners for families and educators of English language learners, which is a project in partnership with the American Federation of Teachers.

Reading Rockets

A website geared mostly toward educators, but useful for families as well! Discusses the most effective ways to teach English Language Learners, how to create a welcoming classroom, and ways to promote family involvement.

United States Department of Education Toolkit for Hispanic Families

This toolkit for Hispanic Families provides information about how you can help build your child's reading and language skills during the early years of life. Reading well is at the heart of all learning. Without the ability to read, children can't succeed in school.

Roadmap to College for English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners

This webpage on the NYS Education Department website delivers a guide for English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners on how to prepare for college and the steps required to achieve the desired goal. 

FAFSA How-To-Guides for High School Students

This website is designed to help students and families to understand the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA). Families can download the PDF 9 nine languages (English, Arabic, Bengali, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Traditional Chinese, Urdu). 

College Board

This website helps students and families plan for college, learn about the college application process and the various types of financial aid (i.e. grants, scholarships, loans).

Community Organizations and Advocacy Groups

Advocates for Children

Advocates for Children works on behalf of children who are at greatest risk for school-based discrimination and/or academic failure due to poverty, disability, race, ethnicity, immigrant or English Language Learner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, homelessness, or involvement in the foster care or juvenile justice systems

Chinese Progressive Association

Based in New York's Chinatown/Lower East Side, the Chinese Progressive Association works towards social and economic justice for our community. We build ties with other communities and support justice and equality for all. We provide educational, advocacy, service, and organizing programs that raise the community's living and working standards, involve residents in the decision making processes that affect our lives, bring together people from of diverse backgrounds and walks of life.

Coalition for Asian American Children and Families

Coalition for Asian American Children and Families is the nation’s only pan-Asian children’s advocacy organization, we believe that children of all backgrounds should have the support they need to thrive. We improve the health and well-being of Asian Pacific American children, youth, and families in New York City.

Flanbwayan Haitian Literacy Project

The Flanbwayan Haitian Literacy Project has assisted hundreds of Haitian newcomer youth in NYC public high schools since it was founded in 2005. We ensure Haitian newcomer youth 14-21 years old are appropriately placed in high schools that support their ability to remain in school and graduate. Our out of school time programs develop their capacity as productive citizens through youth and leadership development activities that build their self-esteem and nurture their voices.

New York Immigration Coalition

The New York Immigration Coalition aims to achieve a fairer and more just society that values the contributions of immigrants and extends opportunity to all. The New York Immigration Coalition promotes immigrants’ full civic participation, fosters their leadership, and provides a unified voice and a vehicle for collective action for New York’s diverse immigrant communities.

Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights

The Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, is a non-profit organization, founded in 1982 to educate, defend and protect the rights of immigrants. Recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights is committed to expanding access to legal immigration services, participating in policy making and community organizing.

Most of the individuals who walk through the doors of the Coalition are low-income, non-citizen immigrants from the Caribbean, Latin America, and increasingly, Africa and the Middle East. Some have lived in the United States for decades, others are recent immigrants. The Coalition is often their first entrée into accessing legal aid or basic social services.

MASA

MASA partners with Mexican and Latino children, youth, and families in the South Bronx to develop strong learners and leaders who fully participate in and contribute to the larger community. The organization supports children from 18 months through college an beyond, through each stage of their development and promotes civic engagement and community organizing.