Asylum-seekers have attracted a lot of press attention recently – mostly about their arrival and sheltering in New York City, less about their quality-of-life. To get a better sense of migrants needs and experiences, Make the Road New York conducted a survey of nearly 800 asylum-seekers and found,
- Virtually all respondents intend to seek asylum, but almost none have found a lawyer to represent them.
- Virtually no one has been able to find work authorization or steady employment, and the majority are struggling to afford basic expenses.
- Most respondents and their families have not been able to access English literacy support from a city agency or nonprofit.
- Nearly all respondents are living in temporary housing.
- Respondents have faced significant barriers to accessing health services.
In cooperation with NYC non-profits, The Integral Factor has established programs that provide Math, English, ESL and Social Studies support for K-12 students without shelter and have had remarkable results:
- Nearly 40 students have attended with steady increases across age-cohorts, adjusted for re-housing and situational events.
- Feedback from teachers shows that students’ performance at school is better.
- Intellectual and fun engagements provide diversions for those in difficult situations.
- Students have learned critical EQ skills that they use in managing themselves both academically and personally.
- We stay in touch post move-out to help support and continue their progress.
Through our work with asylum-seeker families, The Integral Factor has demonstrated the profound impact that dedicated, high-quality tutoring can have on students facing immense challenges. By providing educational stability, intellectual engagement, and emotional support, we are not only helping these students succeed academically but also fostering resilience and confidence that will serve them for life.
This experience has strengthened our ability to work with students of all backgrounds—whether they are navigating displacement, economic hardship, or simply striving for academic excellence. It has positioned us as emerging leaders in the private tutoring space, proving that personalized education can be both transformative and inclusive.
As we continue to grow, we remain committed to expanding access to quality tutoring and shaping the future of education—one student at a time.
