NEW YORK, (CMC) – Immigration advocates have welcomed a new childcare assistance programme that will, for the first time in New York City’s history, provide childcare assistance to Caribbean and other low-income families with children whose immigration status makes them ineligible for other federally-funded subsidised childcare.

New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, earlier this week, announced the initiative known as “Promise NYC,” saying that the city will partner with four community-based organisations, each with deep ties to immigrant communities in their respective boroughs.

Adams said the Center for Family Life will serve families in Brooklyn, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation will serve families in the Bronx and Manhattan, La Colmena will serve families in Staten Island, and the Chinese American Planning Council will serve families in Queens.

Liza Schwartzwald, Senior Manager of Immigration Policy at New York Immigration Coalition, an umbrella organisation representing over 200 immigration advocacy and policy groups in New York State, said “Promise NYC” will provide free or low-cost child care to Caribbean and other families with children who are six weeks to 13 years old.

“Access to childcare allows New York families, local communities and our city’s economy to function,” she said.

“Children – regardless of immigration status – need quality early childhood education and care to thrive, and families rely on childcare to work, go to school, and so much more.

“For too long, immigrant New Yorkers who lack legal status have been unable to access federal and state subsidies for childcare,” Schwartzwald added. “Newly arrived asylum seekers have also had difficulty accessing childcare, exacerbating the challenges of integrating into their new city,” she added.

By investing US$10 million in “Promise NYC,” she said “New York City is giving all New Yorkers a greater opportunity to build their lives without sacrificing their financial welfare or the stability of their family.”

Schwartzwald thanked Mayor Adams and other New York City officials for “championing inclusionary and accessible childcare.”

“We look forward to working with the administration and all of the community-based organisations involved to ensure that ‘Promise NYC’ is a successful programme, and will be advocating for its expansion in the years to come.”

In addition, Adams said that the timing of the launch of “Promise NYC” will be particularly beneficial to the newly-arrived asylum seekers, including Haitians and Venezuelans, “helping to ensure parents can pursue stable housing and gainful employ while their children are cared for safely.”

The mayor said he expects “Promise NYC” to support at least 600 children over the next six months.