The Brooklyn-based nonprofit, CAMBA, is receiving nearly 3.3 million to boost its refugee assistance program.
Operating out of several locations across the city, CAMBA provides services to help struggling and new New Yorkers stabilize their lives and become self-sufficient through language and skills training.
The organization's Refugee and Asylee Assistance Program provides refugees with opportunities to obtain jobs and training and improve their English skills.
"As the home to the largest Ukrainian population in the United States, New York will remain unwavering in our support of the people of Ukraine. This federal funding is crucial to enabling refugee services providers to properly assist Ukrainian families as they adjust to a new life here in New York State," Governor Kathy Hochul said on Nov. 15, while announcing the new funding.
Statewide, $21.4 million in federal funding will be distributed through 17 service providers.
The funding is being drawn from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement and will supplement existing efforts from the governor’s office.
The following services providers were awarded funding:
Organization | Location | Amount |
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants | Albany | $382,143 |
Catholic Charities of Long Island | Amityville | $1,775,841 |
Catholic Charities of Buffalo | Buffalo | $300,000 |
International Institute of Buffalo | Buffalo | $300,000 |
Journey's End Refugee Services | Buffalo | $300,000 |
Jewish Family Services of WNY | Buffalo | $300,000 |
International Rescue Committee | New York City | $3,377,068 |
Catholic Charities Community Services | New York & Hudson Valley | $4,904,034 |
Commonpoint Queens | Queens | $3,377,068 |
CAMBA | Brooklyn | $3,377,068 |
Catholic Charities Family and Community Services | Rochester | $776,328 |
World Relief | Rochester | $776,328 |
Interfaith Works of Central New York | Syracuse | $300,000 |
Catholic Charities of Onondaga County | Syracuse | $300,000 |
Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment | Syracuse | $300,000 |
The Center | Utica | $300,000 |
American Civic Association | Binghamton | $300,000 |
“The organizations receiving funding have years of experience successfully helping refugees and immigrants to adapt to a new home and thrive as part of the community and we are grateful for their efforts," said Daniel Tietz, commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
Support services provided, include:
- Employment assistance
- Case management
- Skills training
- English as a second language
- And, when necessary, housing and food assistance among others
Since the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine in February, New York has provided aid through the ‘Uniting for Ukraine’ program.
The program has brought 75,000 Ukrainians to the U.S., including 14,000 to the state of New York. It provides a pathway for Ukrainians to stay in the U.S. for up to two years.
The governor’s office has also taken additional steps to show its support for Ukraine. Earlier in the year, the governor executed an executive order to prohibit state agencies and authorities from contracting with entities that continue to do business in Russia.
Hochul then ordered all state agencies and authorities to divest public funds from Russia and stop doing business with Russian companies.
Additional actions were taken in March to strengthen the Department of Financial Services' enforcement of sanctions against Russia, including the expedited procurement of additional blockchain analytics technology.
“The Ukrainian people have struggled so valiantly, and New York and America will always stand by their side," Senator Chuck Schumer said. “This $21 million in federal assistance will help Ukrainian war refugees in New York get the support they need from community groups from Buffalo and Rochester to New York City.”
All of the state resources for Ukrainians can be found here. For more information, click here.