Girl Scouts' Troop 6000 Provides Support for Asylum Seeker Children in NYC Shelters

Since the spring of 2022, New York City has become home to around 170,000 asylum seekers and migrants, including tens of thousands of children who have arrived from the southern border. Among these newcomers are the youngest members of the community who now reside in an emergency shelter. In this shelter, the largest Girl Scout troop of New York City, known as Troop 6000, is quietly extending a warm welcome to these children with the help of donations and support. The troop has been serving kids living in the shelter system since 2017 and continues to provide a nurturing environment for the city's newest residents.

What is Troop 6000?

Launched by the Girl Scouts of Greater New York in 2017, Troop 6000 is a program specifically designed for girls living in the New York City Shelter System. As of December 2023, there were 21,774 families living in the city's homeless shelters, out of which 33,399 were children. To cater to the growing number of young arrivals living in the New York City Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center, the Troop 6000 program was expanded last January, providing essential support to over 100 children. It also rolled out a bilingual curriculum to help scouts learn more about the city, its monuments, subway system, and political borders. The shelter is currently the largest site of Troop 6000, with nearly 200 members and five parents serving as troop leaders, and is the only one exclusively for asylum-seekers.

Unflagging Support amid Anti-Immigrant Sentiment

Despite facing anti-immigrant rhetoric and a contentious election ahead, Troop 6000 has continued to expand its services and support for newcomers. The troop has faced criticism from some donors who view their activities as politically controversial, but this has not deterred Troop 6000 and its philanthropic supporters. In the face of city budget cuts and a growing need for services, the group remains committed to supporting all New Yorkers, including newcomers, emphasizing the importance of their work in the current climate.

According to Meridith Maskara, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Greater New York, there are donors who have expressed a preference for their contributions to be directed elsewhere, questioning the troop's involvement in politically sensitive matters. However, Maskara emphasized that their dedication to the welfare of young girls in New York City is a non-negotiable aspect of their mission. Giselle Burgess, senior director of the Girl Scouts of New York's Troop 6000, mentioned that the girls are eager to engage in after-school activities and are in need of further opportunities for involvement.

New York City and Charities Responding to the Crisis

New York City has allocated substantial resources to accommodate asylum seekers, amounting to billions of dollars. However, this has added pressure to the existing housing and affordability crisis in the city, leaving little room for seeking support from major philanthropies. Beatriz de la Torre, chief philanthropy officer at Trinity Church Wall Street, highlighted the significant challenges faced by charities due to the overwhelming demands for their services. Trinity Church Wall Street provided the Girl Scouts with a $100,000 emergency grant and pledged $150,000 in annual support to aid the expansion of Troop 6000.

Charities, including Trinity Church and Brooklyn Org, have been meeting regularly to address the increased demands on their grantees in light of the arrival of asylum seekers. They have collectively contributed over $25 million to support various charities catering to asylum seekers, offering resources for legal assistance and navigating the public school system. Eve Stotland, senior program officer at New York Community Trust, emphasized the role of nonprofits and philanthropy in addressing the needs of newcomers, expressing the importance of making New York City a welcoming place for everyone, including newcomers.