Throughout the past week, we’ve seen a flurry of orders coming from the new administration to halt federal funding and aid to vulnerable groups of individuals. We’re elated to learn that the president has rescinded his order to freeze nearly all federal funding, thanks to successful advocacy from individuals and communities across the country.
However, US resettlement organizations including JFCS are still operating under the devastating order to stop all work funded by the US Department of State to aid refugees who have already arrived.
JFCS serves over 300 new refugee arrivals each year, providing essential services such as housing, food assistance, employment, cultural orientation, legal aid, school enrollment, and other services that ensure their wellbeing and livelihood. These services are crucial for individuals fleeing war, persecution, and violence, often arriving with nothing more than a suitcase of clothing.
JFCS is steadfast in our commitment to refugee resettlement. During this continued time of uncertainty, we have a moral obligation to serve refugees in our community as long as we can.
We are choosing to:
- Continue to serve refugees. All resettlement activities and assistance that JFCS is providing to recently arrived refugees are being paid for with non-governmental funding as of January 24, 2025. We are taking a risk as an agency that these funds will not be reimbursed by governmental funds in the future.
- Advocate at the local, state, and federal levels for the continuation of this vital work in partnership with many organizations. Refugees rely on JFCS and similar agencies throughout the community and each of us who live in this community to help them successfully transition into life here.
We’ve been heartened by messages of support, advocacy and acts of kindness and generosity over the past week. Thank you to those who have stepped up. We ask you to join us in responding to this humanitarian crisis, right here at home.
Here’s how you can help:
- Advocate – Contact your local, state, and federal representatives to advocate for the need for these critical services and funding.
- Sen. John Fetterman (D): (412) 803-3501, Contact – U.S. Senator John Fetterman
- Sen. Dave McCormick (R): 202-224-6324, Contact – Senator Dave McCormick
- Find your Congressmembers by address
- Find your state legislators
- Contact the County Executive – Allegheny County, PA
- Contact the Mayor – Pittsburgh, PA
- Donate – We urgently need funding to cover the costs of resettlement work no longer supported by the US government. Your donations will help us help refugees who have recently arrived find homes, enroll in school and ESL, find jobs, get legal assistance, and integrate into our local community.
Thank you!