Resettlement And Integration Services

Overview

Want to contact us? 

• For general inquiries, please email resettlement@commonpointqueens.org or call 929-607-3737.
• If you are interested in accessing resettlement services:
  • Ukrainian humanitarian parolees can email UkrainianResponse@commonpointqueens.org and/or fill out this online screening form.
  • All other eligible populations can email resettlement@commonpointqueens.org or fill out this online screening form.
• If you want to volunteer with us, please click here for more information or email resettlement_volunteers@commonpointqueens.org.

Help refugees by purchasing items off of our Amazon Wishlist. Click here!

The urgency is greater now more than ever: the number of displaced people is the highest it’s ever been, and here in New York we are receiving more and more families forced to flee conflicts and persecution in more than 20 countries around the world. Our Amazon Wishlist allows you to purchase essential goods, such as winter clothing, Visa gift cards to purchase groceries, school supplies, basic household items, hygiene products and more, for our clients directly. Thank you for supporting our refugee clients at Commonpoint Queens. Without YOU and your tremendous generosity and support, we could not do the vital work we do for refugees. Learn more about other ways to get involved here.

Who We Are

Commonpoint Queens provides initial resettlement, case management, social adjustment, ENL classes and tutoring, employment counseling, job placement, career and other vocational training services to refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, and Special Immigrant Visa holders (SIVs: click here more information) in New York City, Westchester County and Long Island.

Our dedicated staff are experienced professionals in the field of resettlement and represent the diversity of the communities we serve, with language proficiency in  Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Spanish, French, Burmese, Haitian Creole, Urdu, Hindi, Swahili, Ukrainian and Russian. Several members of our staff are former refugees and humanitarian migrants, and know firsthand the challenges faced by our clients today in adjusting to life in a new country.

Commonpoint Queens became the New York City-area resettlement affiliate of HIAS in October 2022 and created a Resettlement and Integration Services Department to provide a broad range of services to refugees and other humanitarian migrants. You can read more about this in our press release!

As an affiliate of the sole Jewish refugee resettlement agency, Commonpoint Queens is proud to implement HIAS’ mission of welcoming the stranger and protecting the refugee regardless of race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation or gender identity.

What We Do

Commonpoint Queens provides direct services to refugees, asylees, SIVs and other humanitarian migrants, with the goals of successful integration into the community and facilitating self-sufficiency. Learn more on HIAS’ Resettlement page.

Commonpoint Queens currently operates a number of federal and state programs, funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), the State of New York, and through private support.

Initial Resettlement

Reception and Placement Program (R&P)

Commonpoint Queens, in cooperation with the U.S Department of State’s Refugee Admissions Program, offers eligible refugees and SIVs assistance through the Reception and Placement Program. Each refugee admitted to the United States is placed with a non-profit national resettlement agency, such as HIAS Inc., which then assigns refugees to local resettlement affiliates like Commonpoint Queens for comprehensive pre-arrival and post-arrival services. This includes facilitating appropriate housing, furnishings, food and seasonal clothing upon arrival, airport pick up, assistance with urgent medical and other needs, enrollment in English language and employment programs (for adults), and enrollment in public school (for children), applying for Social Security cards and public benefits programs, providing cultural orientation, facilitating a refugee health screening, and more. The R&P period lasts between 30 to 90 days after arrival.

PC Ukrainian Initial Services

The Preferred Communities (PC) Ukrainian Initial Services program, funded by ORR, provides initial resettlement services for Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees (UHPs) who arrived in the United States after February 24, 2022 or before October 1, 2023. Working in collaboration with UHPs’ sponsors, Commonpoint Queens provides case management services to ensure clients access public benefits, refugee health screening, assistance with Employment Authorization Document and Social Security Card applications, referral to employment services or English language support, school enrollment (for minors) and other immigration services. The service period lasts 90 days from date of enrollment.

To inquire about services for Ukrainian humanitarian parolees, please email UkrainianResponse@commonpointqueens.org or call 929-607-3737. Ukrainian humanitarian parolees looking for services can facilitate their eligibility assessment by completing this online screening form.

PC Cuban/Haitian Initial Services

The Preferred Communities Cuban/Haitian Initial Services program, funded by ORR, provides initial resettlement services for Cuban/Haitian entrants and humanitarian parolees. Working in collaboration with these individuals’ sponsors, Commonpoint Queens provides case management services to ensure clients access public benefits, refugee health screening, assistance with Employment Authorization Document and Social Security Card applications, referral to employment services or English language support, school enrollment (for minors) and other immigration services. The service period lasts 90 days from date of enrollment.

Social Integration

Preferred Communities Intensive Case Management

The Preferred Communities program, funded by ORR, provides intensive case management services for particularly vulnerable populations, including those with chronic physical health conditions or mental health needs, single parents, young adults living without family, LGBTQI+ individuals, and others. ORR-eligible populations* can receive one year of services through PC, and can be enrolled in the program at any time during their first five years in the U.S (or since their grant of asylum).

NYSESRP

The New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program (NYSESRP) is focused on supporting all ORR-eligible populations* as they attain economic self-sufficiency. Through NYSESRP, Commonpoint Queens provides case management services, in-house English language classes or tutoring,  in-house digital literacy classes, assistance with health and medical services, extended cultural orientation, post-employment services and more. This works to assist eligible individuals and families in attaining economic and social self-sufficiency.

Refugee Health Promotion (RHP)

The Refugee Health Promotion program is designed to promote the health, literacy and overall well-being of refugees through funds provided by ORR to states; Commonpoint Queens receives RHP funding from the State of New York. Through the RHP program, Commonpoint Queens supports refugees by providing opportunities to increase health literacy as well as access to healthcare and emotional wellness services. To accomplish this, Commonpoint Queens organizes workshops on topics such as childhood development, women’s reproductive health, COVID-19 and other topics. On an individual basis, Commonpoint Queens assists refugees in coordinating their health care services and ensuring continuity of care and provides  one-on-one mental health services. This program ensures all refugees have adequate knowledge of and access to allowable health services.

Economic Inclusion

Matching Grant (MG)

The Matching Grant (MG) program, funded by ORR, is an 8-month program that functions as an alternative to public cash assistance by providing individualized and specialized employment services to ORR-eligible populations* upon their arrival to the United States or grant of asylum or other qualifying status. With an emphasis on rapid employment and attaining economic self-sufficiency within the first 180 days in the program, Commonpoint Queens provides case management services to ensure basic necessities such as access to housing, food, medicine and transportation are all met in preparation for full time employment.

Refugee Social Services Program (RSSP)

As a sub-grantee of its long-term partner, Shorefront Y, Commonpoint Queens assists refugees and their families in achieving economic and social self-sufficiency through the Refugee Social Services Program. Commonpoint Queens focuses on employment preparation and job placement services and provides additional case management, interpretation/translation, career mentorship and other support to ORR-eligible population* program participants. The RSSP program is funded through the State of New York by ORR.

* “ORR-eligible populations” include refugees, asylees, Afghan & Iraqi SIVs, Afghan & Ukrainian humanitarian parolees, Cuban & Haitian entrants, Amerasians, and Victims of Human Trafficking.

USARA (Ukraine Supplemental Appropriation to Resettlement Agencies)

The USARA program supports eligible Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees (UHPs) on their path to employability and self-sufficiency. USARA participants receive employment and extended case management services, including but not limited to outreach, ongoing needs assessment, employment preparation, job placement, English language classes, assistance with benefit application and navigation, and more. USARA participants may receive additional services and support in order to facilitate their employment and stability in the United States, depending on their current needs.

To inquire about services for Ukrainian humanitarian parolees, please email UkrainianResponse@commonpointqueens.org. Ukrainian humanitarian parolees looking for services can also expedite their eligibility assessment by completing this online screening form.

Legal Protection

Working in close collaboration with HIAS’ legal and pro-bono teams in New York, Commonpoint Queens staff facilitate adjustment of status and naturalization applications for its current and former clients.  Commonpoint Queens also partners with NYLAG (New York Legal Assistance Group) to provide free legal counseling to community members and clients.

Get Involved with Partnerships & Volunteer Services

The Partnerships & Volunteer Services (PVS) program is a holistic method of providing extended services to clients, complementing Commonpoint Queens’ refugee resettlement programs. PVS provides community sponsorship, English tutoring, career mentorship, interpretation and translation, as well as builds partnerships to enhance services and promote refugee integration. Click here to learn more and get involved. Our partnerships (with individuals, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations and corporate partners) serve to support clients through volunteer matching as well as in-kind donations in the form of electronics, clothing, housing necessities, and more.

Our volunteers and donors are invaluable in helping to welcome recent arrivals as they begin their lives as New Americans. Your expertise, interests, and commitment can help refugees build a new life, achieve their goals, and feel at home in their new community. Commonpoint Queens offers many ways for community members to get involved. We have opportunities to fit your individual availability. Find out more about volunteer opportunities in your area here.

Lautenberg Family Reunification Applications

The Lautenberg program allows members of certain religious minorities in the countries of the former Soviet Union (FSU) and in Iran to apply for refugee status in the United States. The Lautenberg program was reauthorized in March 2024. For an eligibility screening and to inquire about submitting an application for a family member from the former Soviet Union, please email lautenberg.fsu@commonpointqueens.org. To inquire about submitting an application for an Iranian, please email lautenberg.iran@commonpointqueens.org.  

Commonpoint Queens provides Lautenberg application services to residents of New York City, Long Island, Westchester County and Rockland County.

DEADLINE: All Lautenberg application materials are due on September 1, 2024. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Commonpoint Queens as soon as possible to ensure applications are submitted prior to the deadline.

FSU

Applicants from the former Soviet Union must have a close family member in the United States in permanent immigration status to qualify. Close relatives of qualified applicants will be able to initiate their refugee applications by filing an Affidavit of Relationship (AOR) through a local resettlement agency.

Iran

Applicants in Iran must have friends or relatives in the United States in permanent immigration status. Relatives or friends of eligible applicants will be able to initiate refugee applications on their behalf by submitting Refugee Information Forms (RIFs).

More information on the Lautenberg Amendment can be found here.

Сезон Лаутенберг (Подання заяв відкрито)

Заяви на возз’єднання сімей за програмою Лаутенберг 

Програма Лаутенберг дозволяє представникам певних релігійних меншин з країн колишнього Радянського Союзу (КРС) та Ірану подавати заяви на отримання статусу біженця в США. Програма Лаутенберг була повторно авторизована в березні 2024 року. Для того, щоб перевірити відповідність вимогам для участі та здійснити запит наподання заяви на члена сім’ї з колишнього Радянського Союзу, прошу надсилати повідомлення на електронну адресу lautenberg.fsu@commonpointqueens.org. 

Commonpoint Queens надає послуги з подачі заяв на програму Лаутенберг для жителів міст Нью-Йорк, Лонг-Айленд, Вестчестер і Рокленд.

Термін подачі: Усі документи на програму Лаутенберг мають бути подані до 1 вересня 2024 року. Зацікавленим заявникам рекомендовано зв’язатися з Commonpoint Queens якомога швидше, щоб подати заяву до кінцевого терміну.

Країни КРС 

Для участі в програмі заявники з країн колишнього Радянського Союзу повинні мати близьких родичів, які мають постійний імміграційний статус у Сполучених Штатах. Близькі родичі кваліфікованих заявників можуть почати процес подання заяв про надання статусу біженця шляхом заповнення форми Афідевіт про родинні зв’язки (Affidavit of Relationship (AOR) за допомогою місцевої агенції з переселення.

Більше інформації про поправку Лаутенберга можна знайти тут.

Сезон Лаутенберг (Подача заявлений открыта)

Заявления на объединение семей по программе Лаутенберг

Программа Лаутенберг позволяет членам определенных религиозных меньшинств в странах бывшего Советского Союза (БСС) и в Иране подавать заявление на получение статуса беженца в Соединенных Штатах. Программа Лаутенберг была повторно авторизована в марте 2024 года. Чтобы проверить соответствие требованиям и узнать о подаче заявления для члена семьи из бывшего Советского Союза, пожалуйста, напишите на lautenberg.fsu@commonpointqueens.org. 

Commonpoint Queens предоставляет услуги по оформлению заявлений на программу Лаутенберг для жителей городов Нью-Йорк, Лонг-Айленд, округа Вестчестер и округа Рокленд.

Срок подачи: Все документы на программу Лаутенберг должны быть поданы до 1 сентября 2024 года. Заинтересованным заявителям рекомендовано связаться с Commonpoint Queens как можно быстрее, чтобы подать заявление до окончания крайнего срока.

Страны БСС

Для участия в программе заявители из стран бывшего Советского Союза должны иметь близких родственников с постоянным иммиграционным статусом в Соединенных Штатах. Близкие родственники квалифицированных заявителей могут начать процесс подачи заявлений о предоставлении статуса беженца, подав форму Аффидевит о родстве (АОР) через местное агентство по переселению.

Более подробную информацию о поправке Лаутенберга можно найти здесь.

لاوتنبرگ تمدید شد

ایران (RIF)

متقاضیان درایران باید درایالات متحده، اقارب و یا دوستان در وضعیت مهاجرت دائم داشته باشند. اقارب و یا دوستان متقاضیان واجد شرایط می توانند با ارسال فرم های اطلاعات پناهندگی (RIFs) درخواست پناهندگی را از طرف خود آغاز نمایند.

اطلاعات بیشتر در مورد اصلاحیه لاتنبرگ را می توانید در اینجا بیابید:  can be found here.

برای معلومات و درخواست به lautenberg.iran@commonpointqueens.org ایمل بفرستید  

مهلت ارسال: سایر درخواست های برنامه لاتنبرگ الی 1 سپتمبر سال 2024 قابل پذیرش میباشد. از متقاضیان درخواست میگردد تا در اسرع وقت با دفتر ما Commonpoint Queens تا اطمینان حاصل شود که درخواست ها قبل از مهلت ارسال شده است.

Find out more about volunteer opportunities in your area here

برای تماس با Commonpoint Queens، لطفاً به ایمیل  ذیل به تماس بگیرید
resettlement@commonpointqueens.org