We Belong Here

We Belong Here A leading advocate for safety and social justice in New York.

Our goal is to empower New Yorkers through various initiatives focusing on civic engagement, leadership development, community service and public safety programs.

What an incredible day of joy, culture, creativity and community! 🎉💙Our Annual Community Eid Celebration at the Long Isl...
06/14/2026

What an incredible day of joy, culture, creativity and community! 🎉💙

Our Annual Community Eid Celebration at the Long Island Children’s Museum brought together families from across New York for an afternoon filled with laughter, learning, connection and unforgettable memories. From hands-on arts & crafts 🎨 to the beautiful Whirling Dervish performance 🌀, every moment reflected the power of community-centered spaces where families feel welcomed, seen and celebrated.

The energy in the room was amazing! Children explored new traditions, families connected across backgrounds and community members came together to celebrate the rich cultural diversity that makes New York stronger. 🤝✨

Events like these matter. Representation matters. Creating opportunities for children and families to experience different cultures through art, storytelling and shared celebration helps foster understanding, belonging and social cohesion across our communities. đź’™

We are proud to create spaces where everyone can learn from one another, build meaningful relationships and feel that they truly belong.

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors and partners, The Long Island Children Museum, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, the Turkish American Arts Society of New York and Best Score, for helping make this celebration possible.

Thank you to every family, volunteer, performer and community member who joined us. The turnout was incredible and seeing so many smiling faces reminded us exactly why this work matters.

Together, we celebrate. Together, we learn. Together, we belong. 🌟

🗳️NYC Primary Election Day- June 23rd, 2026Polls are open from 6am to 9pm.Early Voting Period is June 13, 2026 – June 21...
06/12/2026

🗳️NYC Primary Election Day- June 23rd, 2026

Polls are open from 6am to 9pm.

Early Voting Period is June 13, 2026 – June 21, 2026.

Digital Literacy for Civic Empowerment Workshop: Building Civic Power in the Digital AgeDate: June 28th, 2026Time: 4PMLo...
06/07/2026

Digital Literacy for Civic Empowerment Workshop: Building Civic Power in the Digital Age
Date: June 28th, 2026
Time: 4PM
Location: LIC Manhattan View Hotel (39-05 29th St, Long Island City 11101) Scan to Register!

06/02/2026

✨🌙Thank you to everyone who joined We Belong Here NY for our Annual Community Eid Celebration at the Long Island Children’s Museum. From creative activities and cultural performances to meaningful conversations and shared experiences, the day brought together families of all backgrounds to celebrate and connect.

At We Belong Here NY, we believe that belonging is built through opportunities for people of all ages to come together, form relationships, celebrate their identities, and create lasting memories. Whether through cultural celebrations, youth programs, family events, wellness initiatives, or civic engagement opportunities, our work is centered on strengthening social connection and ensuring that every community member feels seen, valued, and included.

We are grateful to our partners and supporters: FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, the Turkish American Arts Society of New York and Best Score Learning, for helping make this special day possible.

Eid Mubarak to all who celebrated and thank you for being part of a community where everyone belongs. đź’™

We are proud to congratulate our Founding Executive Director, Iman Mergen, on receiving the 2026 Shine & Support Award f...
05/29/2026

We are proud to congratulate our Founding Executive Director, Iman Mergen, on receiving the 2026 Shine & Support Award from the NYC Her Future government agency.

This recognition reflects Iman’s unwavering commitment to empowering communities and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders. Throughout her work, she has been a passionate advocate for youth, particularly girls and young women of color, helping to expand access to mentorship, leadership development, civic engagement, educational opportunities and safe spaces where they can thrive.

Her dedication to uplifting others, building community, and investing in the potential of future generations continues to create meaningful and lasting impact across New York.

We are honored to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and the leadership, service and vision that continue to shape a brighter future for so many💙🌟

05/28/2026

We are deeply honored that our Founder & Executive Director, Iman Mergen, was recognized with the Spirit of the City Award at the NYC Mayoral Service Recognition Ceremony.

Iman has poured tireless work, sacrifice and unwavering dedication into building We Belong Here NY from the ground up — transforming a vision rooted in lived experience into a movement that now serves thousands of New Yorkers each year.

This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the votes and support of New Yorkers themselves. It is a testament to the real impact this work has had across communities and to the countless hours spent showing up for people in moments of crisis, uncertainty and need.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported this journey. This honor belongs to our entire community.

It was an honor for our Founding Executive Director, Iman Mergen, to share with NYC Mayor , the press and community sta...
05/23/2026

It was an honor for our Founding Executive Director, Iman Mergen, to share with NYC Mayor , the press and community stakeholders about our organization’s work supporting asylum seekers, domestic violence survivors and families in crisis through safety planning, emergency assistance and rapid-response community support services across New York City. 🤝🗽

The conversation underscored the critical importance of survivor-led and community-centered initiatives rooted in dignity, cultural responsiveness, safety planning and long-term community care. Through rapid-response programming, our organization remains committed to ensuring vulnerable New Yorkers receive compassionate and accessible support during times of urgent need. We extend our appreciation to the Fund for the City of New York for investing in the sustainability of this vital work.

We are also deeply honored that was presented with the Spirit of the City Award — the highest individual honor presented at the NYC Mayoral Service Recognition Ceremony through a NYC voter's choice process— for her exceptional leadership, service and impact across New York. Her work has helped provide critical support, dignity and care to newly arrived neighbors and communities in need, while inspiring hundreds to lead through compassion, civic engagement and service. ✨

đź“°Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eMKYavEs

05/23/2026

We Belong Here NY Board Member and award-winning immigration attorney Afia Yunus, Esq. shared an important and timely conversation on Immigration Know-Your-Rights, navigating interactions with ICE and the resources available to support immigrant families and communities.

Her segment focused on practical guidance, legal awareness and ensuring our communities feel informed, prepared and empowered during uncertain times. Thank you to Afia for bringing your expertise, advocacy and years of experience to the critical discussion at the NY Muslim Community Safety & Policy Summit.

🗽WBHNY convened the NY Muslim Community Safety & Policy Summit — a rapid response assembly rooted in civic engagement, c...
05/23/2026

🗽WBHNY convened the NY Muslim Community Safety & Policy Summit — a rapid response assembly rooted in civic engagement, community empowerment and meaningful dialogue on the issues impacting Muslim communities across New York.

From policy and public safety discussions to know-your-rights education, research presentations, lived-experience perspectives and youth dialogue, the summit created space for honest conversations, collective learning and community-centered solutions. 🤝📚⚖️

We are deeply grateful to every speaker, community member, advocate, researcher, public servant and organization who contributed their time, expertise and voice to this important gathering. Together, we continue building toward a safer, more informed and more equitable future for all. đź’™

Special thank you to our funders, coalition members and partners Foundation for Peace & Justice .law for their collaboration and support in making this event possible.

And thank you to our sponsor for generously providing refreshments for our guests. ✨

📸: & team WBHNY💙

New York News — 5/17/26The NY Muslim Community Safety & Policy Summit 2026 brought advocates, government representatives...
05/23/2026

New York News — 5/17/26
The NY Muslim Community Safety & Policy Summit 2026 brought advocates, government representatives, legal professionals, researchers, public agencies and community-based organizations together in Manhattan for a focused discussion on safety, belonging and policy priorities affecting Muslim communities across New York.

Hosted by We Belong Here NY, the summit was held on Saturday, May 16, at the Turken Foundation. The event created a platform for participants to address issues ranging from hate crime prevention and Islamophobia to immigration resources, civic engagement, racial equity and community protection. It reflected a growing effort to connect community experience with practical policy solutions at a time when many Muslim New Yorkers continue to seek stronger protections and greater representation.

“This summit reflects the importance of creating intentional spaces where Muslim communities can engage directly in conversations surrounding public safety, civic participation and equitable policy development,” said Iman Mergen, Founding Executive Director at WBHNY.

“At a time when many communities continue to navigate discrimination, misinformation and systemic barriers, it is critical that we invest in informed dialogue, cross-sector collaboration and community-centered solutions.”
Mergen said the summit helped bring advocates, public institutions, legal professionals, researchers, and residents into one shared space to strengthen civic engagement while advancing dignity, safety, access and meaningful representation for Muslim communities across New York.

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