A total of $450,000 in federal funding will go to the Hartford Public Library’s Immigration Application Services Program.
The programme will now be able to help more people on their way to becoming US citizens.
“This is the only library in the country to receive a grant like this,” said Mayor Luke Bronin.
For more than 20 years, a branch of the Hartford Public Library called American Place, which offers adult education, career and immigration services, has helped legal permanent residents prepare to become U.S. citizens through the programme.
Officials said the need has grown exponentially over the years, especially in Hartford. With the new funding, more than 200 additional students will be able to enrol.
“There are trusted people who are here as instructors, as mentors, as administrators who will hopefully make this path to citizenship much easier to navigate with the help of people in the community who are here to serve them,” said Bridget E. Quinn, President and CEO of the Hartford Public Library.
Stephany Dominguez Jorge is one of them.
“To be able to offer this for free is just a huge deal because our community is going through financial difficulties and to have the opportunity to do something you’ve wanted to do for a long time,” she said.
We entered an English as a Second Language classroom and watched as students engaged with their teacher.
The class is one of many offered at the library, where students can begin their journey towards citizenship.
“It’s a big step for the library, it’s a big step for the city, and to be able to give back to the community with this opportunity is just huge,” Dominguez Jorge said.
