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 Otsego Refugee Resettlement Coalition is currently supporting two large families (five and seven people) of Afghans who have been welcomed to the United States with Special Immigrant Visas (SIV). Persons granted SIV status by the US government assisted American troops in Afghanistan. Six of the eight children in these families are female who would not have received adequate education had they stayed in Afghanistan. Now, five of the eight children have begun school at the Oneonta City School District and the other children are enrolling in Head Start.
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 and immigrants are heavily vetted before they arrive. They are less likely to commit crimes and are very likely to work hard, start new businesses and value the opportunities of their new country.
Faced with similar challenges of population decline, Utica began welcoming refugees and immigrants in 1981. The presence of a strong and vibrant immigrant population there has helped to stop the population decline and today Utica continues to thrive and grow.
