June 26 is the International Day of Support of Victims of Torture.  In conjunction with this day, our ESL and interpreter volunteers planned an event to help raise over $3,000 to purchase Metrocards for clients to use for travel to classes and appointments at the program. Thanks to everyone who came out to make it a successful event.  Thanks especially to our organizers Sarah Benckart, Inbal Samin and Nicole Deutsch who pulled together an excellent party and brought in so many attendees. 

On December 12th, 1997, the UN declared June 26th the International Day of Support for Victims of Torture. This day, guaranteed within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizes the right of security and personal dignity to all individuals around the world. The main objective of this day is to create solidarity between torture victims, to remind the general public that torture ranks among one of the most heinous and blatant violation of human rights, and to draw attention to the widespread torture still present in the world today. For this reason, every year on June 26th, people take the occasion to announce their opposition to torture.