New York State commits $5 Million in Assistance
On Dec. 7, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $2 million in additional state funding will be provided to help Afghan evacuees acclimate to life in New York, bringing the total state commitment to $5 million. Gov. Hochul also broke down where the refugees will be relocated, including 50 to Yonkers.
“For generations, immigrants have come to New York and the U.S. seeking freedom and opportunity—their contributions defining and strengthening the fabric of our state and nation,” Governor Hochul said. “With Afghan evacuees fleeing widespread instability in their own country, New York State is proud to take a leading role in the massive resettlement effort, and with this historic, first-of-its-kind investment, we will connect people with the support they need to flourish in their new home. I also thank President Biden and Governor Markell for their efforts welcoming our friends and allies to our shores.”
Mayor Mike Spano said, “Yonkers is built on immigration, built from those who believe in the American dream. We welcome these refugees who had to leave their beloved homeland to seek safety, freedom and a better way of life. Yonkers will do its part to aid them in their transition in building their future.”
The funds will be distributed to more than one dozen nonprofit partners throughout the state that are providing intensive assistance to 1,790 Afghan evacuees that since September and continuing over the coming months have arrived or will arrive in New York State. Approximately 250 evacuees are scheduled to arrive in Albany, 495 in Buffalo, 190 in the New York City area, 50 in Niagara Falls, 275 in Rochester, 10 in Rockville Center, 420 in Syracuse, 50 in Utica, and 50 in Yonkers.
The state funds will come from the New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program (NYSESRP).
The enhanced services supported with the additional funding include:
- Culturally competent orientations to help individuals and families acclimate to life in New York State.
- Additional support to help access mental health services to address recently experienced trauma.
- English language instruction.
- Access to job training and job placement services.
- Case-management to ensure children are enrolled in school and accessing services to support academic success.
- Help obtaining necessary benefits and drivers licenses.
- Other services that meet the needs of the individual or family so they can attain economic independence and thrive.
This funding builds on existing State efforts to directly support and house Afghan refugees. For example, SUNY, partnering with OTDA and the NYS Office for New Americans, will provide housing, educational services, career and workforce supports, technology and a vast array of additional services with other community partners. In an effort to help Afghan evacuees resettle in New York, Governor Hochul announced in October that SUNY will open its 10 Educational Opportunity Centers to them by waiving the one-year residency requirement for admission. Some of SUNY’s campuses are also partnering with local agencies to house evacuees in vacant dorms.SUNY will also provide excess laptops to Afghan evacuees to provideaccess to educational programming.
One of the non profits in Westchester that will be helping in the relocation efforts is Hearts & Homes for Refugees in Pelham. “Hearts & Homes is excited to announce that we have been chosen as one of the 60 organizations in 32 states awarded part of the $1.3 million Mobilizing America for Refugees Fund, created by the Schultz Family Foundation, Stand Together Foundation, The Starbucks Foundation and Hello Neighbor, to support our efforts to engage volunteers in Afghan refugee resettlement. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you!
“At Hearts & Homes we have been working in overdrive to engage volunteers in Community Sponsorship, and our volunteers have sprung into action to help resettle our new Afghan neighbors. 5 households in 8 weeks! We are committed to scaling our efforts and creating more opportunities for volunteers to directly engage in welcoming & integrating our new Afghan neighbors into our community.” wrote the organization on Facebook.
