Photo by Maurice Pinzon/New York News Network
This past Thursday, Make the Road New York (MRNY) broke ground on a new facility in Corona, Queens that will double the space MRNY can use to offer programs and services to immigrant and working class communities. Corona and nearby Queens neighborhoods have one of the largest and most diverse concentrations of Latin American immigrants in the U.S.
MRNY also plans to use the new center as a community organizing hub, something that will come in handy as it mobilizes opposition to an anti-immigrant sentiments and builds support for its progressive policy goals.
The 24,000 square foot, 3-story facility will have office, classroom, community and education spaces. It will also include a commercial kitchen and dining area.
Javier H. Valdés and Deborah Axt, co-executives directors for MRNY
led the groundbreaking ceremonies. With shovels in hand, a slew of Queens elected officials joined the ceremony and spoke in favor of the work MRNY was doing for the people it serves. A large group of supporters watched and took pictures and videos.
The elected official attending included, Borough President Melinda Katz, State Senator Jessica Ramos, State Assemblyman Ron Kim, Councilmember Francisco Moya, State Assemblymember Catalina Cruz and State Senator Michael Gianaris.