ALBANY – New York will soon have a new office in state government to help bridge the gap between native and non-native English speakers. According to an article in today’s Jamestown Post-Journal, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says that the Department of State will establishes an Office of New Americans to assist legal permanent residents.
The office will offer tools and assistance so the residents can better participate in the state’s economy and civic life. The Office of New Americans will focus on expanding access to English language education services, promoting U.S. citizenship and civic involvement, and expanding business opportunities for new American business owners.
A representative of Jamestown’s Joint Neighborhood Project – Samantha Ellis – tells the Post-Journal it is a phenomenal idea. She says the largest population growth in Jamestown is the Latino population, and the state recognizes the need to invest in the Latino population, since they are starting to play a major role in the economy.
The 2010 census states that Chautauqua County has over 8,200 individuals of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. Ellis believes that number is closer to 10,000 – about 7.5 percent of the county’s total population.
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