FARO

Familias Apoyadas, Recursos y Orientación

Families Supported, Assistance, Resources & Orientation

Supporting our community with immigration services, education, protection, and comprehensive family support.
A program of Family of Woodstock Inc.

Program Overview

FARO is a multi-service initiative supporting immigrant families — including households with members of different immigration statuses — throughout our region. We primarily serve immigrants and Spanish-speaking families in Ulster County, and through our Spanish Hotline, we assist Spanish speakers nationwide.

Originally known as the Spanish Help Line, FARO provides immigration assistance, legal document preparation, citizenship education, language access, financial stabilization support, safety planning, and community rights education. Although we serve mainly Spanish-speaking clients, our citizenship classes are open to all lawful permanent residents who qualify. More information about our classes can be found in the overview of services below.

Launched in 2023 by Family of Woodstock Inc, FARO builds on more than 25 years of service to the Spanish-speaking community. The program stands on the strong foundation created by Spanish-speaking case managers who dedicated decades to advocating for immigrant families, building trust, and ensuring access to critical resources. We remain deeply grateful for their leadership, commitment, and lasting impact on our community.

Our services are critical not only for the families we directly support, but for the health and stability of the entire community. By informing clients of their rights, guiding them through available services and benefits, and advocating with government agencies, school districts, and local officials, FARO helps families remain safe, informed, and empowered — strengthening our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods in the process.

This video was created to raise awareness about the challenges immigrant families face and the importance of family preparedness tools such as the Designation of Person in Parental Relationship, a document that allows parents to temporarily authorize another trusted adult to make educational and routine medical decisions for their child.

We are incredibly grateful to HUDSY for partnering with us to help tell these important stories and bring greater visibility to the experiences of immigrant families in our community. Their support, storytelling, and commitment to community media help amplify voices that are too often unheard.

Our Services

NOTE: We are NOT immigration lawyers, nor do we provide any legal advice related to immigration. 

Immigration Safety & Know Your Rights – Education and family preparedness planning to help families understand and protect their rights
Immigration Applications – Support with TPS renewals, green cards, and naturalization applications
Citizenship Classes – Free weekly preparation classes for the U.S. naturalization test and interview
Language Support – Spanish–English interpretation and translation services
Legal Documents & Notary Services – Designation of Person in Parental Relationship, child travel consent forms, and other essential documents
Financial Assistance Navigation – Guidance accessing rent, utility, and emergency financial support
Passport Assistance – Application preparation and appointment coordination
Case Management, Advocacy & Referrals – Personalized support and connections to trusted local agencies and community resources

Back-to-School Giveaway:
Supporting our community one student at a time. Over 125 backpacks were distributed and 60+ families served!
Apoyando a nuestra comunidad, un estudiante a la vez. ¡Más de 125 mochilas entregadas y más de 60 familias beneficiadas!

Community Tabling Event:
Families connecting with community resources and exploring all the support available.
Familias conectándose con recursos comunitarios y explorando todo el apoyo disponible.

FARO Fundraiser (Lotería & Food):
A fun and meaningful night at our FARO fundraiser—lotería, food, and community coming together for a great cause.
Una noche divertida y significativa en nuestra recaudación de fondos de FARO—lotería, comida y comunidad unidos por una gran causa.

Citizenship (Naturalization) Classes

FARO offers free citizenship preparation classes for lawful permanent residents preparing for the U.S. naturalization test and interview. Our classes provide structured guidance, civics instruction, English practice, and interview preparation to help participants feel confident and fully prepared.

In 2025, we proudly supported six community members in successfully obtaining U.S. citizenship.

Student Testimonials

“A huge thank you to the Family citizenship prep class team. They helped me study and gave me the confidence I needed to take my citizenship exam. I recommend these classes to anyone preparing for this important step. You’ll find dedicated teachers and a wonderful support group.” Eline M

“This class was more than just studying for a test. It was a supportive space where we encouraged each other. The teachers truly care, and they want to see everyone succeed.” Lilian B

“Before joining the class, I felt nervous about the interview and the civics questions. The instructors explained everything clearly and practiced with us every week. When I went to my interview, I felt prepared and calm.” Jorge G

How We Help

  • Assistance with the N-400 application
  • The 128 U.S. civics questions
  • U.S. history and government basics
  • English reading and writing practice
  • Interview preparation and mock interviews
  • What to expect on test day

How Many Classes Should I Take?

There is no fixed number of required classes. Most participants attend weekly sessions for several months until they feel confident applying. Instructors help assess readiness before scheduling the naturalization interview.

Who Should Attend?

  • Are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
  • Plan to apply for naturalization
  • Have submitted your N-400 and are waiting for your interview
  • Want help preparing for the civics and English portions of the exam

Class Schedule

  • Wednesdays (Zoom): 7:00–8:00 PM
  • Thursdays (In Person): 3:00–4:00 PM, Location: 31 Albany Ave., Kingston, NY

Contact to Register:

  • Para español: 845-679-5460
  • For English: 845-331-7080

Walk-In Center Services

At our walk-in centers in Woodstock, New Paltz, and Ellenville, limited FARO services are available. While full immigration and document services are not provided onsite, trained staff can:

  • Assist with financial assistance applications
  • Provide limited interpretation support
  • Complete intake forms for additional services

 

After intake, a FARO team member will contact the client to schedule an appointment at a central location that best supports their needs.