By Gina Martinez
IDNYC pop-up at Flushing’s Selfhelp center has gotten off to a great start.
The free ID program drew large lines on the opening day of the pop-up and has continued to draw diverse and large crowds, according to Sandy Myers, director of external relations at Selfhelp.
“We’ve been packed with members looking to enroll,” she said. “Even on the first day it was packed. A number of Selfhelp members and younger people felt comfortable coming in. It’s been a nice mix to be honest. We’ve seen the cross section of Flushing signing up for the program.”
Last week state Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Flushing), state Sen, Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing) and Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Assistant Kavita Pawria-Sanchez announced the opening of the enrollment pop-up site at Selfhelp Benjamin Rosenthal Prince Street Innovative Senior Center.
Since 2015, the IDNYC program has provided New York City residents with free photo identification. It is believed that half of IDNYC cardholders are undocumented immigrants. All New York residents can enroll regardless of immigration status and Mayor de Blasio has pledged from the outset to protect their personal information. The IDs give cardholders access to services and benefits like entry into public buildings, including schools to take the high school equivalency exam in New York City, and are accepted as valid photo ID to open up bank accounts.
In 2016 Rozic and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs partnered to bring a pop-up enrollment center to the Bayside Library. The pop-ups are intended to make it easier and create more access to the program for those who cannot visit a permanent enrollment site. The SelfHelp pop-up will make it easier for Flushing residents and seniors who can accommodate an appointment as part of their visit.
“I once again join the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs to bring another IDNYC pop-up to my constituents,” Rozic said. “As we saw in Bayside, these pop-ups have played an integral role in increasing membership, and making it easier for residents to travel to their nearest enrollment site.
Stavisky said anyone who can should take advantage of the program.
“Since its roll-out, the IDNYC program has proven to be beneficial for New Yorkers with close to a million IDs issued so far,” she said. “In my own district, the Flushing Library saw a surge of interest from people looking to take advantage of this great program.”
The IDNYC team will be at the Selfhelp pop-up until March 2. Anyone interested in applying can reserve and appointment on www.nyc.gov/
Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmart
