Immigrant Social Services (ISS)

Immigrant Social Services (ISS) is a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving the conditions of underserved immigrants and children of immigrants in NYC Manhattan’s Lower East side and Chinatown. Through programs and services, we nurture and empower immigrant children/youth (ages 4-17), young adults (ages 18-26), seniors, and families to develop and restore their agency to strengthen the wellbeing of our community.

Background

Founded in 1972 in response to the rapid influx of Chinese immigrant families in the neighborhood, ISS opened its doors to help these new immigrant families address the challenges of adapting to a new country; learning a new language; facing inadequate housing and limited employment opportunities; navigating vastly different social, governmental, and private systems. ISS has diligently and proudly served multiple generations of immigrants in the community, most notably in providing afterschool care and academic enrichment for children of working-class immigrant parents since the height of Chinatown’s garment industry.

While demographics are shifting, the Lower East Side/Chinatown community today continues to be home to low-income multigenerational families whose needs and priorities are focused on ensuring a better future for their children. With that in mind, ISS works extensively with the neighborhood’s children/youth and their families, the majority of whom have limited English proficiency or are monolingual Chinese speakers.

By partnering with parents/guardians, principals, teachers, and community stakeholders, while ensuring a staff team that reflects the lived experiences of the community we serve, ISS aims to create an environment that enhances children's protective factors against negative health, social, and educational behaviors while nurturing social skills, academic excellence, and civic responsibilities.