Executive director of The Center explains how the nonprofit helps refugees to resettle in the region. ‘This year we are on track to do about 400 refugee arrivals,’ she says
By David Podos
Q: I know the agency is referred to as The Center, but is there a different name that you go by as well and, how long have you been the executive director?
A: The Center was incorporated in 1981. We are officially called the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees and that is our legal name. However, we conduct business as The Center. I have been the executive director since 2013.
Q: I remember at one time the agency was located in the former Saint Francis Desales Catholic High School in Utica. How long have you been at your present location here at 201 Bleeker St.?
A: In 2017 we had the opportunity to purchase this building where we are now and we really needed to do that because we were expanding as an agency.
Q: Who are the people that you serve?
A: The Center primarily serves refugees. The legal description of a refugee is someone who has fled their country of origin, has sought refuge in another country, such as the United States.
Q: What are some of the reasons why these people are fleeing their country of origin?
A: The reasons can be anything from war, genocide, famine, persecution based on race, sex, gender or natural disasters. We also serve SIVs, (special immigrant visas). These are people that generally have worked with our military in places around the world and then need protections once that is over. We also work with humanitarian paroles. This is a different legal designation for an immigrant to come here; they have been primarily Ukrainians that have been fleeing the war in their country and Afghan evacuees who fled out of Afghanistan a few years ago.
Q: Do you have any programs or assistance to help these refugees toward eventual citizenship?
A: Yes, we work with the citizenship and immigration offices to help people adjust their refugee status and assist on their journey to become American citizens.
Q: I am sure that there are many other services that the people you are serving need, like finding adequate housing, integration into the community and the education system to name just a few. Does the agency help with these needs and other similar needs and concerns?
A: Yes, of course, and one of our main services are refugee resettlements. That is kind of like the heartbeat of our agency. This year we are on track to do about 400 refugee arrivals. We find people housing before they arrive, we furnish the dwelling with all the necessities for living, everything they are going to need, from toothbrushes, utensils, furniture etc. We also assist them in getting proper identification cards such as Social Security cards and any other documentation that they will need to begin their new lives. If they have children, we assist in enrolling them in school. Really, anything that they will need to help them we have case workers that are going to assist to get that done. What makes us unique beyond the resettlement services we provide, are all the wrap-around services we can offer as well — for example, offering ESL (English as a second language) classes. We have an employment department that did 500 job placements last year where we work closely with 80 to 100 local employers. We have an immigration and citizenship department to help in the citizenship process. So, we really do offer a lot of services.
Q: Have the people you are helping been vetted before they enter the United States?
A: Refugees are the most heavily vetted class of immigrant to come into the country. They undergo years of scrutiny in the refugee camps and other places that they are living before they come here, which also includes the collection of bio data and multiple interview processes, so there is a lot of screening that goes on long before they enter the United States. There is also medical screening.
Q: Are there any other “resettlement sites” in our area offering similar services?
A: There isn’t. We are the only site located in this area. The next closest one is in the city of Syracuse.
Q: How many staff do you employ?
A: We currently have 53 staff and hundreds of independent contract workers that do language services for us. We are also fortunate to have a vibrant volunteer pool of people.
Q: Where does the center receive its funding?
A: We receive funding from both the state of New York as well as federal funding. Other monies come from foundations, grants and people who want to donate to us.
Q: How does someone contact your agency?
A: Our website is thecenterutica.org. We can be reached by phone at 315-738-1083.