Maria Hinojosa began the August 15 episode of NPR's Latino USA, "Nuestro Nueva York," by discussing the shifting Latino identity of New York City and those who've worked to help transform the city.

NYC, with its massive population, recently experienced a shift in leadership, due largely to the long-awaited election of a Democratic mayor. Bill de Blasio is the first Democrat to lead the city in two decades, and the result of his appointment was an influx of Latino politicians moving into positions of real power.

New York City council speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito happens to be one of those individuals. The Puerto Rico native wears one of the biggest political hats in NYC and is the first Latino to hold a citywide position of influence, where she has the ear of the mayor and an active role in effecting change. With this influence, Mark-Viverito has boosted a flagship program, which seeks to provide representation and identification to undocumented people, and she has helped to foster the NYC municipal ID program.

"The past election cycle in New York City really seemed to usher in a new and increasingly diverse era in governing," A.C. Valdez, Senior Producer at Futuro Media Group and producer for "Nuestro Nueva York," told Latin Post. "As a representative of El Barrio who happens to be the speaker for the city council, she's seen and continues to see the demographic shifts the city is undergoing -- crucially, that means intra-Latino change."

Mark-Viverito, who attended school with Hinojosa and previously worked with the Latino USA host in radio, shared with Hinojosa how she became politically motivated.

Mark-Viverito spoke of her mother (an active feminist), her socially conscious father and NYC's prejudice and distinct need to identity her as "other" -- all of these things jumpstarted her own awareness. She gravitated to nonprofit work and became very engaged with her community at the local level, which propelled her to become more involved in activism. Then, she was recruited by individuals who believed that she could be an effective politician. At first doubtful, she consciously switched gears, moving from a position of telling officials that they weren't doing enough, to being an elected official who could "really amplify the voice of a community that has been historically disenfranchised and left out of decision making."

"It's been a hard road; it was not an easy road. Now, we are in a position where we have a mayor...a Democratic mayor for the first time in 20 years... a progressive mayor. And a progressive council that really wants to work on policies that really have an impact and demonstrate that an inclusive public policy is not one that is ineffective," Mark-Viverito said to Hinojosa.

Equality, social justice and equal opportunities for success would positively affect Latinos and other disadvantaged groups, said Mark-Viverito. NYC is diverse and majority non-white; to enact policies that push for equality and inclusion will likely inspire and nurture progression across the nation.

With changes orchestrated by the progressive council, NYC can make a name for itself as a sanctuary city that offers paid sick leave and immigrant inclusion, she adds. That concept is of great importance to the 3,000 refugee children who've entered NYC in the past year and likely have relatives or extended family in the area.

Mark-Viverito and the city council have asked that lawyers provide pro bono work and legal counsel to these children. According to the speakers, nonprofits from the area are also currently in conversation with the federal government to see if they can receive some funding in order to house and assist the children.

"Law enforcement is generally not trained or equipped to deal with sheltering and feeding children. I do know that in some cases these children are offered psychological support, but to what extent that is offered, I am unsure of," said Valdez.

But beyond representation and housing, Mark-Viverito has been vocal about providing identification for undocumented people, and has been working toward offering municipal IDs to all NYC residents, making NYC the largest city to organize a municipal ID program. "De Blasio has signed it, it's already law...it's just a matter of implementation," she said.

The multifaceted, multifunctional IDs are expected to roll out in January 2015. They will be made available to those who, for one reason or another, have not been able to get a state ID. Transgender New Yorkers will be able to self-identify on the card, which is impossible with state IDs. The NYPD-approved IDs will make it so that residents can avail themselves of city services, and it will encourage undocumented individuals to seek out officials and authorities if they are in need without fear. According to Mark-Viverito, the IDs will validate that cardholders are contributors to their communities. With it, residents will be able to open bank accounts. It will help residents apply for a lease, give undocumented individuals identification without being questioned about their status, reinforce that residents are "here and paying taxes," and it will be "important for the vibrancy of the city."

Tune in to "Latino USA" to hear more of Hinojosa's insights, or check her out on Twitter or Facebook.

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