The Refugee Partnership announces launch of Crisis Response Fund

A 30-day fundraising campaign with a goal of $1.5 million was launched Friday, Feb. 7 to cover suspended federal refugee funding as a result of a recent U.S. Department of State stop work order. 

That funding, through the U.S Refugee Admissions Program, provides support to recently resettled families and individuals during their first 90 days in the United States. Assistance includes basic needs support for housing and food, resettlement agency case management funding, and help such as school enrollment, job placement, and other maintenance programs to help them assimilate to their new communities.

The Refugee Partnership of Western New York, composed of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, International Institute of Buffalo, Jericho Road Community Health Center, Jewish Family Services of WNY, and Journey’s End Refugee Services announced the launch of the Crisis Response Fund. 

The partnership’s campaign goal to raise the $1.5 million within the next 30 days is to fill a funding shortfall and support the 731 refugees in Western New York who have arrived in the last 90 days.

A refugee is a person who has fled their country because they are at risk of serious human rights violations and persecutions there and their own government cannot, or will not, protect them from these dangers, according to Amnesty International. Refugees have a right to international protection, and they have been legally vetted through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and approved to come to the United States. 

“We knew policy changes were coming to refugee resettlement programs, but we were blindsided by funding cuts to support refugees who had recently arrived in the United States and have the legal right to be here,” said Dr. Molly Carr, CEO, Jewish Family Services of WNY. This campaign will help our organizations to honor the commitment of the U.S. Government who has legally vetted, cleared these individuals to resettle in the United States, and promised to fund their first 90 days here. We are committed to helping these refugees assimilate to our country and begin a successful and self-sufficient path to becoming new Americans.”

The Western New York Foundation, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and M&T Bank have each contributed $100,000, and the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York has made a $50,000 donation  for a total of $350,000 in lead gifts to get the Crisis Response Fund underway.

“Although the federal government has suspended refugee resettlement, Catholic Charities continues to fulfill its obligations to support individuals and families who arrived before the suspension took effect – helping those who arrived lawfully get a foothold on starting a new life after years of enduring the hardships of refugee camps around the world,” said Deacon Steve Schumer, president and CEO, Catholic Charities of Buffalo. “Like our partners in the effort, we face a significant financial burden in doing this work. Not doing it however, exacts a much higher human cost and would leave an indelible blemish on our community.”

This is the second major collaborative campaign the Refugee Partnership has undertaken. In 2021, they came together to raise funds to assist 350 Afghan refugees who settled in Buffalo while their cases for asylum were adjudicated.

Dottie Gallagher, president and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, said she just toured an Orchard Park manufacturer whom she asked how they filled the jobs to satisfy their growing order base, and their leader told Gallagher that they rely on Journey’s End to supply staff who are excellent employees.

“Employers from across our region are already benefiting from the talent and dedication of refugee workers, but we must ensure that this pipeline of opportunity remains strong,” continued Gallagher. “Investing in refugee resettlement means investing in our region’s future – helping businesses thrive, keeping our population stable, and ensuring Western New York remains a place of innovation and opportunity.”

Every dollar raised, the partnership explained, is integral to support refugee resettlement in Western New York. For details on how to donate to The Refugee Partnership emergency relief campaign, please visit refugeepartnership.org.