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 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!
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.
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 2023 Lautenberg application period concluded in September 2023; return to this page in early 2024 for updates on when and if Congress renews the program for 2024.
Commonpoint Queens provides Lautenberg application services to residents of New York City, Long Island, Westchester County and Rockland County.
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.
Заявление о воссоединении семьи по программе Лаутенберга
Согласно с программой Лаутенберга, лица, принадлежащие к некоторым религиозным меньшинствам, которые проживают в странах бывшего Советского Союза (БСС) и в Иране, могут подать заявление на получение статуса беженца в США. Прием документов по этой программе на 2023 финансовый год закончился в сентябре 2023 года; вернитесь на эту страницу в начале 2024 года, чтобы узнать, когда будет возобновлена эта программа Конгрессом и будет ли это сделано в 2024 году.
Commonpoint Queens предоставляет услуги по заполнению заявлений по программе Лаутенберга для резидентов города Нью Йорк, Лонг Айленда, округов Вестчестер и Рокленд.
Страны БСС
Заявители из стран бывшего Советского Союза должны иметь близких родственников с постоянным иммиграционным статусом в Соединенных Штатах. Эти родственники смогут оформить Аффидевит о родстве (АОР) и начать процесс подачи заявления на статус беженца для лиц из БСС с помощью местной переселенческой агенции.
Более подробную информацию о программе Лаутенберга можно найти здесь.
Програма Лаутенберга
Згідно з Програмою Лаутенберга, особи, які належать до деяких релігійних меншин, які проживають у країнах колишнього Радянського Союзу (КРС) та в Ірані, можуть подати заяву на отримання статусу біженця в США. Період подачі заявок за цією програмою на 2023 фінансовий рік закінчився у вересні 2023 року; поверніться на цю сторінку на початку 2024 року, щоб дізнатися, чи буде відновлено програму Конгресом, і коли це станеться у 2024 році.
Commonpoint Queens надає послуги із заповнення заяв за Програмою Лаутенберг для резидентів міста Нью-Йорк, Лонг-Айленда та округів Вестчестер і Рокленд.
Країни КРС
Заявники з країн колишнього Радянського Союзу повинні мати близьких родичів із постійним імміграційним статусом у Сполучених Штатах. Ці родичі зможуть оформити Афідевіт про спорідненість (АОС) та розпочати процес подання заяви на статус біженця для осіб з КРС за допомогою місцевої переселенської агенції.
Більше інформації про програму Лаутенберга можна знайти тут.
لاتنبرگ تمدید شد
برنامه لاوتنبرگ به اعضای برخی از اقلیت های مذهبی در کشورهای اتحاد جماهیر شوروی سابق (FSU) و در ایران اجازه می دهد تا برای وضعیت پناهندگی در ایالات متحده درخواست دهند. دوره درخواست لاتنبرگ 2023 در سپتامبر 2023 به پایان رسید. برای معلومات در مورد تمدید برنامه توسط کنگره برای سال 2024 به این صفحه بازگردید.
Commonpoint Queens خدمات اپلیکیشن لاوتنبرگ را به ساکنان شهر نیویورک، Long Island، Westchester و Rockland County ارائه می دهد.
FSU
متقاضیان اتحاد جماهیر شوروی سابق برای واجد شرایط بودن باید یکی از اعضای خانواده نزدیک خود در ایالات متحده
در وضعیت مهاجرت دائمی داشته باشند. بستگان نزدیک متقاضیان واجد شرایط میتوانند درخواستهای پناهندگی خود را
با ارسال سند رابطه (AOR) از طریق یک دفتر اسکان مجدد محلی آغاز کنند
ایران (RIF)
متقاضیان در ایران باید دوستان یا اقوام در ایالات متحده در وضعیت مهاجرت دائمی داشته باشند. بستگان یا دوستان
متقاضیان واجد شرایط می توانند با ارسال فرم های اطلاعات پناهندگان (RIF) درخواست پناهندگی را از طرف خود آغاز
کنید
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
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