In the heart of the Bronx, a tech literacy movement is quietly shaping the future of its immigrant residents, one digital class at a time. The nonprofit Sapna NYC is spearheading the effort, teaching South Asian immigrant women how to navigate tools like Zoom, manage Gmail accounts, and effectively use spreadsheet formulas to bolster their businesses. Amidst languages that span continents, Sakib Shikder deftly instructs his students in Bengali and English, bridging the technological divide much to the advantage of these eager learners. According to Gothamist, Sapna NYC's efforts go beyond skill-building to include using chatbots like GPT to craft professional responses to employers and leveraging GPS to confidently navigate new locales for work opportunities.
Yet, the pursuit of these newfound skills is not merely about convenience; it has become a critical means to navigate a harsh immigration system. Under the Trump administration's hardened policies, immigrant communities have sought solace and safety in these digital literacies, meant to connect them to essential resources, maintain autonomy, and safeguard their dignity. Ligia Guallpa, the executive director of the Worker's Justice Project, told Gothamist that "[it's] a vital tool that can transform and improve their lives and help them negotiate better wages."
Mirroring Sapna's mission, the Oyate Group’s Beyond Rising program is championing a similar crusade for undocumented youth. The program provides paid internships to undocumented 16- to 21-year-olds, a demographic often sidelined by the very fabric of legal and economic structures. Despite a tumultuous sociopolitical landscape, as expounded in an article by Chalkbeat, the program dares to offer these students a platform to nurture their talents and foster connection within the community. Helmed by dedicated organizers who understand the stakes, Beyond Rising operates as a beacon of resistant hope, countering the fear and isolation sown by ICE crackdowns and offering experiential learning that extends beyond the classroom.
It's more than just acquiring skills; it’s about creating avenues for empowerment and ensuring that immigrant communities continuously find means to assert their presence, rights, and dreams. Diya Basu-Sen, the executive director of Sapna NYC, emphasized the impact of internet fluency to the Gothamist, stating, "Being able to use the internet, like even just basic Google searches opens up so much information for families, whether it's looking for food pantries or being able to access MyChart for their doctor's appointment or the student portals for school.." Meanwhile, the Beyond Rising program, through revealing the multifaceted lives of undocumented youth, challenges prevailing narratives, showing that these young individuals are vital to the societal tapestry they inhabit.
Through tech literacy and brave spaces, these two organizations collectively illustrate a path forward for immigrant communities—a path lined with the promise of better jobs, a firmer grasp on one's own narrative, and a relentless courage to pursue the myriad American dreams. As New York's immigrants increasingly turn to technology as both shield and sword, the work of Sapna NYC and Beyond Rising exemplifies how community organizations are essential in not only protecting but also elevating their constituents. "My passion and determination to continue this work come from knowing that even if we can't have safe spaces in this fragile and unpredictable world, we can work to build brave spaces together," an organizer for Beyond Rising told Chalkbeat.
