Ponce De Leon Foundation 2018 to 2023 Report

Queens Public Library Foundation

Queens Public Library Foundation requested a grant from the Ponce de Leon Foundation to fund two six-week offerings of Incubadora de Pequeñas Empresas, a Spanish-language version of our popular Small Business Incubator.

The Spring Cohort had more participants than the 20 that were projected in the initial proposal—36 individuals attended at least one workshop, and 25 participants completed the four workshop minimum that was required to graduate. Of the 36 participants, 13 participants also signed up for one-on-one consultations with business advisors. FSC-Creative, the curriculum development consultants, observed the Spring Cohort’s weekly workshops to provide real-time evaluation of the program, and made several adjustments to the curriculum to reflect the unique circumstances of asylum seekers. After the first workshop, for example, the curriculum was tailored to more introductory topics essential to people who are new to the United States, including: a more detailed breakdown of what LLCs are, how businesses function in New York, and information on how to start a business legally without a green card. These adjustments were critical to participants’ success, and the lessons learned from these changes will be carried into the Fall Cohort’s structure. Incubadora de Pequeñas Empresas helped budding Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs from the neighborhoods of Corona, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Woodside turn their small businesses from concepts into reality.

SAPNA NYC, Inc.

Providing immediate food assistance to families in danger of going hungry and connecting families to benefits and services has been an essential mission for SapnaNYC. In addition, helping the community reduce food costs, providing access to di ff erent forms of financial assistance, and assisting with understanding policies like eviction moratoriums, directly impacts their ability to survive the next year in New York City.

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