Relief for NYC's Refugee Families

Hundreds of the refugees and asylum seekers from Venezuela and nearby regions who escaped political persecution have been welcomed by our Frederick Douglass Community Center near Harlem. Most were sent here on buses by the Texas state government, and all currently live in nearby homeless shelters.

“Many are scared – they don’t share much about what happened in their home countries. At least not yet. We are slowly building up those relationships and they’re trusting us more and more as we provide critical resources and support for them,” said the center’s director Amy Hyman.

Your generosity goes directly toward Amy’s programs that the center’s refugee and asylum-seeking children and families have direct access to. When they enter the center, it feels like a home away from home, and a place where community and learning can flourish.

Amy has adjusted many of the offerings at the center to support this population:

• After-school tutoring and Spanish translation support to help students with their homework
• Culturally-appropriate hot meals for the families to replace the sub-par, nutritionally inadequate sandwiches at the homeless shelters, as well as nutrition education for the children
• Material assistance to families who do not have school clothing or baby clothes for their children
• Child care
• Assistance enrolling in SNAP (food stamp) benefits or completing refugee applications
• Sports and fitness activities for young people and parents
• Referrals to our health clinic and other partner health clinics, which treat young people regardless of insurance status
• Summer enrichment programming

Amy predicts that as more refugee waves arrive in New York City, many will enter the Frederick Douglass Community Center community — and your continued support will ensure that we can welcome them to their new home, and give young people the tools to succeed and thrive.

Please sign up for updates directly from Children’s Aid by clicking here so you can stay connected with all of our work. And thank you so much for all that you do during this critical time.