A Glimmer of Hope for Unemployed Street Vendors in Queens: Meaningful Support from Non-Governmental Organization
The Street Vendor Project has reached out to street vendors in Queens, New York, who have been selling food without a license and are out of work. Vendors like Narciza Rosario, who serves Ecuadorian food, hope to make new beginnings with this support.
Corona Plaza in New York’s Queens neighborhood has been a challenging time for street vendors. Many unauthorized food carts were removed from the area under intense pressure. However, the Street Vendor Project, which defends the rights of street vendors, has launched a new initiative that will give them hope. Names like Narciza Rosario and Jorge Asitimbay are now seeking legal employment with the support of this project.
Support and New Beginnings:
Over the past month, the Street Vendor Project has connected more than a dozen unauthorized vendors with the connections they need to find work in different sectors. Carina Kaufman-Gutierrez, Deputy Project Director, emphasized how critical this is for street vendors and the need for reform in the sector. Veteran vendors like Narciza Rosario are regaining the opportunity to bring their culture back to the streets of New York.
Narciza Rosario’s Story:
For nearly 25 years, Rosario has served Ecuadorian food and flavors from her food cart. Working with an illegal license until two years ago, Rosario now has the opportunity to continue her business in a legal framework thanks to the Street Vendor Project. Rosario organized his first event to introduce Ecuadorian flavors to Manhattan and now dreams of building a bigger business and contributing to the city’s culture.
Long Process and Council Decisions:
Rosario and other vendors are subject to lengthy processes to obtain their official permits. However, in December, the City Council increased the number of permits issued each year from 445 to 1,500. This change has the potential to pave the way for thousands of vendors.
The result:
Led by the Street Vendor Project, many vendors like Rosario and his partner are now stepping into a more hopeful and stable future. The project not only provides them with jobs, but also the knowledge and support to grow. For vendors forced out of Corona Plaza in Queens, the Street Vendor Project is making new beginnings possible.
The Street Vendor Project not only lends a helping hand, but also secures vendors’ place in the community and their jobs, establishing them as an integral part of the city. This is a huge win for both the vendors and the cultural richness of New York City.
