Ansob Center for Refugees receives $85K in funding

An Astoria-based nonprofit providing immigration services received $85,000 in city funding, thanks to an allocation by Councilman Costa Constantinides.

The Ansob Center for Refugees helps immigrants establish a new life in western Queens by providing English language classes, job training and citizenship tutoring.

Another Astoria organization, The Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans, or CIANA, was given $5,000 to provide more immigration services as well.

According to the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, more than 1 million immigrants live in Queens, with a significant chunk in Astoria, Jackson Heights, Woodside and other western Queens neighborhoods.

The FY 2020 budget also allocated $3.25 million to the CUNY Citizenship Now! program, which allows lawyers to provide high-level, confidential and free legal services out of council members’ offices.

Anyone who wants to make an appointment in Astoria can call Constantinides’ office at 718-274-4500.