Welcoming Newcomers to
Our Community
We are a coalition of nonprofit organizations, businesses, educational institutions, faith communities, and local individuals who welcome refugees to Otsego County.
Our Mission
Many of us are the descendants of refugees and immigrants. Some of us are refugees or immigrants ourselves. We are committed to extending the same welcome and promise that was offered to our families to those who need a place to call home. In so doing we are convinced that welcoming refugees will help to build a stronger economy and community.
Providing a Refuge
The Coalition is currently supporting two families of Afghans (seven individuals) who have been welcomed to the United States with Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), granted by the US government for their assistance to American troops in Afghanistan. These include three children, one who will begin kindergarten at the Oneonta City School District and two others who will enroll in Head Start. Since 2021, the Coalition has welcomed 7 immigrant families, including people from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Venezuela, and Afghanistan. The Coalition has helped newcomers find employment with the Oneonta City School District, A.O. Fox Hospital, Aramark (Hartwick College’s dining service), Brooks’ House of Bar-B-Q, Pusterla (formerly Burt Rigid Box), Sloan’s New York Grill, Toscana Northern Italian Grill, and Custom Electronics.
Revitalizing Our Economy
Otsego County, like much of upstate New York, has been losing population. Businesses cannot find enough people to hire making it difficult for them to operate at full capacity; schools have fewer students and thus receive less state assistance; communities—finding themselves with fewer residents—struggle to balance budgets and raise the tax revenue necessary to support public infrastructure. Welcoming refugees will help to increase our population and create economic momentum in our community.
Growing Our Community
We seek to bring in new people, with diverse experiences and fresh ideas. Refugees come to the United States at the invitation of the US government. They arrive with work authorizations, social security numbers, and green cards. They are typically professionals with college degrees and they are interested in local entry-level jobs.
Our Support
The Coalition is actively seeking more immigrants with green cards to join our community. Otsego County is a safe, clean, welcoming community with halal food, public transportation, excellent public schools, and job opportunities. The Coalition will provide newcomers help with all of the following:
- Transportation to Oneonta
- Housing search and possibly a security deposit
- Job search: CDO Workforce for skills assessment, notice of available jobs and assistance completing job applications (with language translation available)
- Literacy Volunteers: English lessons and access to a conversation group
- Furniture and household goods (donations)
- Assistance setting up bank accounts
- Assistance arranging utilities
- Assistance registering children for public school and Headstart
- Sources for adult and children’s clothing
- Connection to medical and dental care
- Connection to pro bono immigration attorneys
