Helping An Afghan Refugee Family Resettle In Town

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY — A local group is part of the massive effort to help Afghan refugees coming to the United States that has taken shape as New York State is increasing its commitment.

The plight of Afghan refugee families touched the hearts of many members of Congregation Sons of Israel, Rabbi Steven Kane told Patch.

"When the United States pulled out of Afghanistan and there were hundreds of thousands of people who had helped the United States and needed to leave the country, that was the catalyst for us," he said. "My congregation - like everywhere else there are different points of view. But the common denominator for all our people was 'they helped us.' So we thought, why not start with those families that everyone could agree on."

CSI 's Refugee Resettlement Committee is dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive community for a refugee family, training and preparing to welcome and integrate a sponsored refugee family.

"My grandparents, like most Jewish Americans, were refugees," one of its members, Abbe Marcus, told Patch. "At the age of 16, my grandmother was forced to flee her home because of pogroms and antisemitism in Eastern Europe. She and her 18-year-old brother arrived in the U.S. without family connections, money or the ability to speak English. They were able to resettle and build new lives here through the help and support of others. The American Jewish community can relate to the Afghan refugee's desperate need to flee and resettle. Our values and principles teach us that it's not just our turn to help but our obligation. CSI is grateful for the opportunity to support and welcome Afghan families in our community."

The organizers and supporters have started working on all the logistics, and there are many, Rabbi Kane said, including creating sub-groups for fundraising, finding affordable housing, collecting furniture and clothing, stocking the home with food and necessary items, and orienting the family to life in America (from enrolling kids in school to job-seeking).

They've gotten a lot of help from the group Ossining for Refugees, and applied to and were accepted by HIAS, one of the agencies resettling Afghan families in New York. HIAS is scheduled to visit CSI Monday for an orientation.

"We’ve already begun to raise funds," Rabbi Kane said, explaining that a group supporting a refugee family should to have $30,000-$50,000 on hand at the start, particularly to cover housing costs.

HIAS is one of more than a 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.

Services include case management, employment and training services, English language training, as well as health and medical services to newly arrived refugees in the U.S., Special Immigrant Visa holders and asylees.

The news that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul was committing $2 million in addition to the $3 million approved by state legislators to the Afghan refugee resettlement effort was welcomed by HIAS officials.

"We at HIAS are delighted that Afghan evacuees will be included in the New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program, and very grateful to have these resources to help them start their new lives in the great state of New York," Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society New York Director Alla Shagalova said.

Hochul made the announcement while delivering virtual remarks on Afghan Resettlement efforts with White House Coordinator for 'Operation Allies Welcome' Jack Markell and Bard College President Leon Botstein.

"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," she 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."

Statewide, the additional $2 million will allow for more intensive acculturation services for an extended period of time to address the Afghan refugees' immediate and long-term needs.

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.

The resettlement of families and individuals from Afghanistan is the largest resettlement effort in such a short period of time that has occurred in our lifetimes, Hochul said, and New York is proud to take a leading role in assisting the evacuees' successful integration into the U.S.