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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2026 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 9

The New York State Office For New Americans Announces New York City Unveils Nation’s
Expanded New Americans’ Hotline To Serve More Strongest Rules to Protect Consumers
Immigrant New Yorkers From Predatory Debt Collection

The New Americans Hotline is hotline has answered 21,159 calls the New Americans Hotline to (Continued from page 8) residents reduce debt by nearly
now operating on Saturdays & and made 42,207 referrals. weekend hours is a critical step $50 million and improve credit
Sundays, in Addition to Contin- In addition, the New York State in equipping immigrant com- verification requirements. through free one on one counsel-
ued Weekday Hours. Thruway Authority will post munities across New York with Help for New Yorkers in Debt ing available in 11 languages.
Callers to the Hotline Will Be information about the expanded the tools to access trusted infor- Since 2022, DCWP’s Fi- New Yorkers can call 311 and say
Connected with Free Resources Hotline hours in all 27 services mation. We applaud Governor nancial Empowerment Centers “financial counseling” to schedule
and Information in Over 200+ areas across the New York State Hochul and the Office for New have helped tens of thousands of an appointment.
Languages. Thruway system. The bilingual Americans for recognizing that
The ONA Hotline’s New Sched- information in English and Span- our immigrant neighbors need Gillibrand Statement On U.s. And
ule Will Be Amplified in All 27 ish will begin today for visitors options for reliable information at
Service Areas of The New York using the service areas across more times throughout the week. Israeli Strikes On Iran
State Thruway System New York State. We are thankful to the staff who
Chief Executive Officer, are setting aside time to answer U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, war powers resolution.
The New York State Office Catholic Charities of the Archdio- our community’s questions on the a member of the Senate Armed “The president lacks the con-
for New Americans (ONA) today cese of New York J Antonio Fer- weekend, and we will continue Services Committee and the stitutional authority – and in my
Senate Intelligence Committee, opinion, the temperament and
announced an expansion of the nandez, said: “For more than 16 working to ensure all New York-
New York State New Americans years, Catholic Charities of New ers can access the services and released the following statement judgment – to act in such a reck-
less fashion.
Hotline (1-800-566-7636) which York has provided reliable infor- information they deserve.” on U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran: “I pray for the safety and
will now assist callers on Sat- mation and trusted referrals to The New Americans Hotline “I came to Congress in op-
position to endless wars. Trump’s well-being of our brave service
urdays and Sundays from 9am immigrant communities through has been a key part of the work
to 5pm (EST). The hotline will our longstanding partnership with of NYS ONA since its creation actions today risk exactly that members and American families
in the region.
also continue to operate Monday New York State and the Office in 2012. ONA and its statewide again.
to Friday, 8am – 8pm (EST). The for New Americans (ONA) Ho- network of community-based “Congress should return to “America voted for lower costs,
session immediately to vote on a not forever wars.”
New Americans Hotline, man- tline. Rooted in Catholic Social providers offer assistance to any
aged by Catholic Charities Com- Teaching—particularly the call immigrant in New York State re- Vaping Awareness Month Highlights
munity Services, Archdiocese to uphold the dignity of every gardless of their immigration sta-
of NY, under a grant with the human person and to welcome the tus. ONA provides programming Rising Health Harms And
New York State Office for New stranger—this work reflects our in areas such as immigration legal
Americans, is a vital resource enduring commitment to serve services, English language learn- New Quit Resources
for all New Yorkers seeking in- those seeking guidance, oppor- ing, mental health support, and
formation and referrals for free tunity, and stability. The ONA workforce development. The best Vaping Awareness Month is Two Manhattan residents, Diara
immigration-related services. Hotline is a free and confidential way to connect with all ONA’s putting a spotlight on the growing S. and Julia B., were recently fea-
The hotline is staffed by multi- service—available in more than programs, as well as resources dangers of electronic cigarettes, tured in the Quitline’s statewide
lingual call operators as well as 200 languages—that connects in- provided by other state partners, and New Yorkers looking to quit “Success Stories.” Both began
a full-time immigration attorney. dividuals and families to English is to call the New Americans now have more free support than vaping in their early 20s after
“New York State has long language learning, community Hotline at 1-800-566-7636. ever. The New York State Quitline, switching from cigarettes—only
been a state committed to having resources, and legal referrals. As In addition to the hotline, ONA based at Roswell Park Comprehen- to find themselves addicted again.
newcomers feel welcomed and of January 1, 2026, we expanded has also expanded the resources sive Cancer Center, is using March With coaching and NRT support,
supported. The expansion of the our operating hours to include available on its website to include to remind residents that help is each was able to quit.
New Americans Hotline includes weekends, reaffirming our com- a dedicated Know Your Rights, available for anyone struggling “The Quit Coach helped me
longer weekday hours and added mitment to greater access and Know Your Resources page: with addiction to vape products or visualize my life without vapes,”
weekend hours, strengthening accompaniment for newcomers.” https://dos.ny.gov/know-your- other commercial tobacco items. Diara said, noting that follow-up
our commitment at a time when President & CEO, New York rights. Through initiatives such Vaping’s Health Risks Draw calls kept her focused.
immigrant families are facing Immigration Coalition Murad as the New Americans Hotline Renewed Attention “Now I feel so much better men-
so much fear and uncertainty,” Awawdeh, said: “We applaud and our Know Your Resources Electronic cigarettes—often tally and physically,” Julia added.
said Secretary of State Walter T. Governor Hochul for expanding site, ONA is committed to ensur- marketed as safer alternatives— “It’s a different world.”
Mosley. “This expanded access the New Americans Hotline at ing that immigrant New Yorkers contain toxic chemicals that can March Encourages New Quit
reflects Governor Hochul’s ongo- a moment when immigrant New and their families have access to harm the brain and lungs. Many Attempts
ing efforts to protect the consti- Yorkers are under attack from the the most up to date, relevant, and young adults report difficulty With Vaping Awareness Month
tutional rights of New Yorkers, Trump administration’s detention important information they need breathing, trouble focusing, re- underway, Quitline leaders say
including immigrant New York- and deportation machine. Too to feel empowered and protected. duced impulse control, and even now is an ideal time for anyone
ers, and ensures our state remains many families are being forced ONA’s website also has a link to feelings of depression linked to thinking about quitting to take
a place where all families can feel to navigate fear, misinformation, the New York State’s Office of vaping. the first step. Even reducing the
informed and supported. As a and a complicated legal system on the Attorney General for people Quitline specialists say these number of daily puffs can help
reminder to all New Yorkers seek- their own. These new extended to report information regarding symptoms are increasingly com- build momentum toward a full
ing assistance— the ONA hotline hours, availability in 200+ lan- federal government actions in mon among callers seeking help. quit attempt.
is 100% free, anonymous, and guages, and support to those in their communities. High nicotine concentrations in Improved breathing, better
available in over 200 languages.” detention seeking legal support The New York State Office vape products make them es- mental clarity, more energy, and
All information provided by ensure that more New Yorkers for New Americans, founded pecially addictive for teens and significant cost savings are among
the hotline is free and anonymous. have access to legal counsel when in 2012, is the nation’s first young adults. the benefits highlighted by the
Assistance is available in over 200 it’s most urgent. We urge the state statutorily created immigrant Quitline Expands Tools to Help Quitline.
languages. Representatives from to continue investing in programs services office. ONA assists all New Yorkers Quit How to Get Help - New Yorkers
the hotline can assist with making like the Office for New Ameri- new Americans with accessing The NYS Quitline has broad- can connect with the Quitline in
referral to individuals in immi- cans that keep families together, and navigating a variety of free ened its services in recent years to several ways:
gration detention who are seeking protect workers, and strengthen services and support through its meet the rise in vaping: • Call: 1-866-NY-QUITS
free legal services. The hotline our communities.” statewide network of commu- • Nicotine replacement therapy (1-866-697-8487)
can also provide information on President and CEO of Hispanic nity-based providers. For more (NRT) for vape users, making • Visit: nysmokefree.com for chat
available community workshops Federation Frankie Miranda, said, information, visit https://dos. New York one of the first states or call-back options
and training, including Know “In today’s heightened political ny.gov/office-new-americans or to offer patches and lozenges spe- • Text: QUITNOW (English)
Your Rights and family prepared- climate, marked by shifting im- follow ONA on Twitter/X at @ cifically for those trying to quit or DÉJELO YA NY (Spanish) to
ness. Callers to the hotline can migration policies, increased en- NYSNewAmericans or Facebook e-cigarettes. 333888
also report cases of immigration forcement fears, and widespread at https://www.facebook.com/ • DropTheVape, a free six-week • Youth/Young Adults: DropThe-
fraud. Since January 2025, the misinformation, the expansion of NYSNewAmericans texting program launched in 2025 Vape.org for the six-week texting
Leaders Representing More Than One Million New York for youth and young adults, offer- program
ing skill-building and motivational The Quitline, supported by the
Homeowners Launch Co-Ops And Condos United support. New York State Department of
New organization will give co- homeowners who live in this type that protect and support co-op and • Coaching by phone, online chat, Health and operated at Roswell
or scheduled call-backs, available Park, has assisted nearly 3 million
op and condo residents voice in of housing. Co-ops and Condos condo owners across New York. seven days a week. callers since 2000. Its mission
affordability debate on issues United of NY has been established At the state level, this includes • Free NRT orders for adults 18+, remains the same: help New York-
such as property tax reform and to ensure the voice of this critical the renewal of the J51-R program, shipped directly to residents. ers break free from commercial
costly government mandates community is not left behind. opposition to the Cooperative Young New Yorkers Share Their tobacco and vape addiction and
Co-ops and Condos United aims Corporations Law, support for Success reclaim their health.
A coalition of co-op and condo to ensure that this significant con- establishing a condo first lien
owners from across the five bor- stituency has a strong, coordinated and seeking exemption from the
oughs have formed Co-ops and voice in legislative and policy Scaffold Law. At the city level, the
Condos United of NY, a grassroots discussions at both the city and coalition is engaged on reforms to
advocacy group charged with state levels. Local Law 97 and Local Law 11,
representing the interests of the Co-ops and Condos United is
more than one million New York focused on advocating for policies (Continued on page 10)