The United States has a long and proud tradition of giving families fleeing war and persecution a chance to rebuild their lives in safety. Here are some ways to help refugees right now.

1. Donate Goods. We welcome donations of new or gently used household goods, furniture, coats, hats, blankets and school supplies to support newly arrived refugees. Kindly remember that we work to affirm dignity, so all donations must be in very good condition.

  • Interested in details on how to make a donation and what is currently needed? See the list of donated items we accept. For more information, please email Rhonda Butler or call her at 315-449-3552, ext. 127.
  • For the donation drop off appointment availability at the warehouse, contact Rhonda Butler at 315-449-3552, ext. 127. 

2. Volunteer. Volunteer with InterFaith Works’ Center for New Americans. Volunteer tasks might include conducting one-on-one public transportation trainings, becoming an English tutor, or coaching a refugee through writing a resume for a first job in the U.S.

3. Become a Community Sponsor. Community Sponsors are groups of individuals (such as local clubs, businesses, university communities, faith groups, sports teams, book clubs) who commit to providing support (including financial and/or in-kind) to New Americans in order to support their welcome and integration.

  • Ongoing Collection Sponsors: Ongoing Collection Specialty Sponsors identify an item (or items) that they want to collect that will benefit clients on an ongoing or regular basis. This can be the collection and compilation of Kits (see next page), or the ongoing collection of specific, frequently–needed items (such as formula, trash bags, etc.).
  • As-Needed Purchase Sponsors: As-Needed Purchase Specialty Sponsors agree to sponsor the purchase of specific, frequently needed items, up to a certain dollar amount. This can include mattresses, trash cans, bed frames, winter gear, etc.
  • Ambassadors: Ambassadors are groups of individuals (from a civic organization, cultural organization, community group, spiritual/faith group, etc.) who walks shoulder to shoulder with new arrivals to support them during the initial resettlement period (first 90 days). The goal of this program is self-sufficiency for new arrivals.

Interested in becoming a Community Sponsor? Please contact:

Rhonda Butler
Community Engagement Manager
rbutler@ifwcny.org
315-449-3552, ext. 127

  1. Click the donate buttons to make a secure online gift to help Afghan refugees:

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InterFaith Works affirms the dignity of all people and every faith tradition. One of our key programs is our Center for New Americans, which has been resettling refugees and  reunifying families while rallying both moral and tangible support for those refugees seeking a better life in Central New York. One of the ways that we do this is to build public understanding and provide education about how and why refugees settle in our community. We also build relationships and provide education about refugees and resettlement for our local, state and federal legislators.

Since our founding in 1976, our neighbors and faith partners have stepped up by offering their time, talents and treasure, while publicly lending their voices to the cause of our refugee community. The support has come in many forms, including impassioned letters and opinion pieces published by local media, prayer marches and World Refugee Day events in collaboration with refugee organizations.

  1. Click the donate buttons to make a secure online gift to the Center for New Americans:

    Donate with Credit/Debit Card       Donate through PayPal

Learn the facts and then, teach other people about refugees and the U.S. refugee resettlement program. These resources may help:

  1. Click the donate buttons to make a secure online gift to the Center for New Americans:

    Donate with Credit/Debit Card       Donate through PayPal

     

 

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

Elected officials like to hear from their constituents. Call, mail or email our federal representatives:

Thank you for your support of refugees! 

Published Letters, Opinions

  1. Click the donate buttons to make a secure online gift to the Center for New Americans:

    Donate with Credit/Debit Card       Donate through PayPal