MONTE & ANGELINA LIPMAN AT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Amongst the Tseng’s collections, Steven is most proud and always excited to show some of his rare coins. “I believe numismatics are most interesting because coins provoke a greater unbiased understanding of world history and show us that different regions and different people can be, and have been, brought together. Many people have Genghis Khan confused with Attila the Hun, but Genghis built the largest contiguous empire the world has ever known by uniting territories in Eastern Europe, Russia, Middle East, Persia, Central Asia and China under one central administration, with his heirs continuing to rule for centuries after his death. “Although he ruled the entire empire, his government was tolerant of different religions and cultures in the territories he controlled. These three coins prove it. The first says “Christian Kingdom of Georgia” and “Pay Your Taxes to the Great Khan in Mongolia”...written in Arabic! It shows that the Mongols owned the mint, but were not looking to change the culture of those governed. The second coin shows Genghis Khan’s daughter-in-law as the chief of the Mongol Empire...proving that women are already holding the highest political offices for the largest empire in 1241, nearly 800 years ago. And the third, is what is believed to be among the first gold coins with the name of Genghis Khan, commemorating when he first conquered Afghanistan...a region that has notably withstood outside forces ever since. I usually keep these coins in a bank vault and only keep some replicas here in the house, but I wanted you to see and touch the real thing.”

“We have the philosophy that bringing more people to more knowledge will make the world a better place,” Steven continues. “Education fosters discussion. That’s why we’re strong supporters - and I feel like an unofficial ambassador - of the American Museum of Natural History in New York. They have over 5 million visitors a year and over half of the visitors are kids! Our family is proud to have our Chinese names associated with the restoration of the Musk Oxen diorama in the Hall of North America Mammals of the Museum, extremely honored and humbled that newer Americans like us can contribute in the same Hall alongside the Rooselvelts, the Hearsts, and the Harvey Mudds, and most grateful to have millions and millions of visitors to the Museum be inspired to learn science and culture. ...And I’m pleased to say that Ethan completed three years at the Museum’s Science Alliance program, commuting into the City while he was also in middle school at Saxe.” And then Steven gets going on all the rest of the Tsengs various projects... “In Finland, we provided funds to the Finnish Museum of Natural History for the restoration and display of what is known as the Javan Tiger 89, which had been lost to world scholars in the Museum’s storage since 1857, and has now been reborn as the 89th remaining example of this extinct species. And we’re particularly interested in supporting the development of natural history museums in countries that are lacking, and where many will benefit.” Steven even hinted that a Javan Rhino sponsorship is under discussion for 2023!

The Tsengs are not your typical New Canaanites. It’s an ironic reflection of the Tseng’s experience as Taiwanese American immigrants, that while they are at once envied for their spot at the pinnacle of American success, respected for their education, achievement, and philanthropy, and friends with people from all parts of their life, they still feel - though they never complain of discrimination or exclusion and make a point of always saying how welcomed they’ve been in New Canaan - like outsiders. Steven sums it up saying, “At this time of the Holidays especially, we should all do something to bring people together. The whole story in life is that everyone has a different story and a completely different perspective. Heck, I just admitted to you before that the ‘80s English new wave band Depeche Mode is my favorite band, and I might be the only one in New Canaan who would give you that answer. But I believe, seriously, that through education we can learn how much we are still all the same, and most importantly how we can live together. That’s the legacy we’re trying to leave.”

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NEIGHBORS LINK

PHOTOGRAPHY: Frances Isaac

With the inspirational mission ‘to strengthen the whole community through the healthy integration of immigrants’, Neighbors Link is one of the most critical and effective 501(c)(3) charitable organizations in the B&NC Mag area. Founded twenty years ago by a group of local community leaders, and based in their headquarters at 27 Columbus Avenue in Mt. Kisco, Neighbors Link now offers a wide array of programming and provides help in one form or another to over 6,000 people a year! Carola Otero Bracco, the dynamo CEO at the helm of this impressive organization, explains, “A significant immigration population is a meaningful part of the economic and social reality in our community - and integration of the whole community is a two-way process.” With a staff of about 50, including an in-house legal practice, and over 500 regularly contributing local volunteers, Neighbors Link is doing the real and practical work of truly integrating the local immigrant population. Education is central to a group of Neighbors Link initiatives. The Family Center hosts parent education and early childhood development and academic support for children, and serves as a gateway for linking families to related community resources. English as a Second Language (ESL) classes offered in conjunction with Westchester Community College, and a range of adult education classes, are available seven days a week, for people of all ages and abilities. Parent education programs provide guidance on the academic success and other aspects of raising bilingual children. Neighbors Link offers classes to achieve citizenship, helps families navigate the local school system, and provides workforce training. Adult Education Director, Ramiro Rincon, explains, “English language education has always been a core part of programming at Neighbors Link. It not only provides immigrant families with essential tools for integration, but it allows opportunities for long-term residents to sit side by side with newer neighbors, practicing English skills together and forging relationships that make our community stronger.” And Maria, an ESL learner, said, “I like attending Neighbors Link English classes because they adapt to my schedule and offer me a lot of options for learning. Since each class might be a little different, I find it very interesting how I pick up something new at every session that I attend!”

Another one of Neighbors Link’s key programs is the Neighbors Link Worker Center, which provides an exchange for workers and employers to meet, negotiate and hire day, project-based, and longterm workers. Workers are available for landscaping, seasonal clean-up, carpentry, masonry, painting, housekeeping, and even care for a loved one. Using the Worker Center makes the whole process safer, clearer, and fairer for the employer and the worker. Luisa Granda-Rodriguez, Director of Operations and Community Development, comments, “The Worker Center facilitates connections to employment, supports advocacy for fair wages, and provides workforce development training to help people move toward economic stability. The workers who come to Neighbors Link for support have been deeply impacted by the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and it is an honor to stand alongside them as they self-advocate for fair and just policies that impact all of us.”

Neighbors Link also provides the full array of immigration legal services, from citizenship applications to removal defense proceedings. Remarkably, Neighbors Link has six lawyers and a crew of paralegals on staff, working as a dedicated powerhouse legal practice, handling over 650 cases per year! One Neighbors Link client put it plainly, “My family and I were not in the position to hire an attorney when we needed help with our complicated immigration matters, so the help of the Neighbors Link attorneys was invaluable.” And another Neighbors Link client explained, “Knowing that legal services are here at Neighbors Link makes people feel like they have a place to go for help that they trust and where they feel safe.”

Neighbors Link was able to respond to the unique pressures the covid pandemic put on the immigrant community with a full offering of online programs and expanded capabilities for community outreach. Early on in the pandemic Neighbors Link started making 1,000 phone calls a week to check-in on community needs. Neighbors Link also partnered with Feeding Westchester to ensure the community had access to fresh and shelf stable food. In 2021, as part of the New York State Vaccine Equity Task Force, Neighbors Link has worked to provide reliable information and assistance with obtaining vaccines. And Neighbors Link has increased its efforts to address what is known as the ‘digital gap’ that the immigrant community faces in the school system and is partnered with the Bedford Central School District to identify and assist children who need help accessing technology or other educational support.

Finally, Neighbors Link plays an important role in educating the community-at-large about issues related to immigration. Neighbors Link provides cultural awareness training to community members, congregations at houses of worship, school districts and local law enforcement, including over 400 local police officers each year - all in order to spread the message that holistic integration of the immigrant community strengthens the whole community.

Volunteers and volunteerism are the heart of Neighbors Link. As Volunteer Manager, Martha Palomino, puts it, “One of the most important ways we accomplish our mission is through our volunteer programs. At Neighbors Link we are committed to bringing diverse communities together by engaging hundreds of volunteers in our programs each year. These opportunities inspire a culture of collaboration and integration between long term and newer residents.” About half of all volunteers are high schoolers, whose long-term views of immigrants, immigration, and charity are deeply impacted by their work with Neighbors Link. And central to all of Neighbors Link’s work are the ‘Friends of Neighbors Link’ - a group of about 40 most dedicated volunteers who started out raising money to buy textbooks for Neighbors Link clients and now do everything from public advocacy and reaching out to elected officials to planning and running fundraisers and community events.

Neighbors Link continues to grow in scope and breadth of offering each year, and has recently added a center in Yonkers to their Mt. Kisco and Ossining locations, ensuring immigrants throughout Westchester County have access to programs. While Neighbors Link has been awarded special recognition for its work from the State of New York and other authorities, and receives public and grant financing, the charity relies heavily on private charitable contributions. Carola Bracco sums it up saying,

Carola Bracco, Neighbors Link Director

“ “ Neighbors Link works to serve the whole community; Neighbors Link is not a geographic location, it’s really a moral concept.

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