New Organization Formed To Assist Young Irish Immigrants To New York

Paul Hurley, President of the United Restaurant and Tavern Owners Association (Representing over 1,000 Irish bars and taverns in New York City) officially launched 'Failte 32 - Job Opportunities last Monday.

The initiative was launched to assist the young Irish immigrants,  both college students and graduates, who are having a hard time finding work here in the United States after arriving from Ireland.

Many of them who came in search of the American dream, have instead ended up finding it difficult to establish themselves in the US during these tough economic times.

Mr. Hurley said "We are starting a new organization entitled 'Failte 32 - Job Opportunities NYC' to provide opportunities in finding jobs, apprenticeships, and helpful business skills for those determined to stay in New York City.

The organization will also be hosting weekly meetings as well as seminars to educate these newcomers on American Culture.

He added, "We will also be introducing our newly developed ambassador program for business men and women who are interested in becoming  mentors to these individuals.   

"The goal is to provide hands-on training  and learning opportunities necessary in the American job market."

In attendance were leaders and representatives from seven influential Irish networks and organizations engaged in either social/business networking or community outreach, who presented the purpose and goals of their organizations, and how their organization could contribute to this initiative.

These included the Irish Network-USA, Irish Network, The New York Irish Center, the Irish American Bar Association of New York, the United Irish Counties Association, New York, the Emerald Isle Immigration Center and the New York Pan-Alumni Association.

These organizations showed a willingness to support efforts to provide a centralized forum where newly arrived Irish immigrants can meet up and access information on all Irish networks and organizations in New York City, and network with representatives from their membership base who can help them in their job-hunting efforts.

O'Casey's has committed to providing this forum by very generously offering use of its facilities and resources which can be used for meetings, dances and other events.

Additionally, the purpose of this initiative is to bridge the gap between the many Irish networks and organizations in New York City, and an awareness among newly arrived Irish immigrants of their existence and benefits.

"Paul Hurley's vision is to engage Irish bars and restaurants to bridge this gap, which traditionally are the first port of call by many Irish immigrants arriving in New York, and so should be the first place this information is made readily available.

"He plans to achieve this through his association with [this newspaper], and by leveraging his membership of the United Restaurant and Tavern Owners Association," said Paddy McCarthy, owner and Publisher of [this newspaper] and Irish Connections Magazine.

Mr. McCarthy added "One issue that has been raised time and time again by Irish immigrants new to New York is their lack of knowledge of Irish Networks [here], particularly those that can help them in their job hunting efforts.

"The purpose of this initiative is to respond to this by providing a convenient location in New York City that will make this information readily available, and would be a typical port of call by Irish immigrants just arriving in New York City.

"Irish pubs are part of our social fabric abroad and have always been a great source of information for Irish immigrants," he concluded.