More than 90% of refugees coming into New York settle in Upstate communities. It’s one of the reasons that Buffalo has seen a population growth for the first time in decades. One of the ways that Buffalo is able to accommodate the influx of refugees is by ensuring that resettlement agencies have the resources that they require. From 2017 to 2020, these agencies experienced significant funding cuts. The cuts made it difficult for organizations such as Journey’s End Refugee Services, Jewish Family Services, Catholic Charities, and the International Institute of Buffalo, to operate in accordance with elevated expectations.
With over 16,000 refugees arriving to Buffalo since 2002, the aforementioned agencies have had their hands full. Not to mention new waves of asylum seekers that continue to arrive, whether it’s (as of late) Afghan or Ukrainian communities that are in need of resettlement services. Currently, New York has the largest Ukrainian-American population in the United States, which means that many more families will follow in their footsteps, looking to reunite with their countrymen.
In order to better fulfill the needs of the resettlement agencies, New York State Senator Sean Ryan and Assemblymember Jon Rivera have announced that the state budget for FY 2022-2023 will deliver a record $6 million in funding for the agencies through the New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program (NYSESRP), essentially doubling last year’s numbers. By fueling the program with sufficient funding, refugees will have better successes when it comes to finding adequate housing, job training, childcare, among other conveniences that so many of us take for granted.
Helping acclimate these new Americans into their new lives is an important task that not only helps them thrive, but also benefits our communities.
New York State Senator Sean Ryan
“Thanks to the great work of refugee resettlement agencies, Buffalo and other cities through Upstate New York have welcomed thousands of families seeking refuge over the last two decades,” said Senator Ryan. “Helping acclimate these new Americans into their new lives is an important task that not only helps them thrive, but also benefits our communities. New York has always been a leader in refugee resettlement, and this unprecedented funding for our state’s resettlement agencies will help us remain one.”
“Western New York’s economic resiliency is due in no small part to its vibrant immigrant population and their demonstrated entrepreneurial resolve,” said Assemblymember Rivera. “This record funding for refugee resettlement agencies through the New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program is not only a testament to the work of these agencies and the invaluable services they provide, but it will also place them in a position of strength as they prepare to cater to our state’s next generation of immigrant business owners and homeowners.”
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