ReSet is about to celebrate its one year anniversary, what have been some of the greatest achievements to date and what are your biggest hurdles?
Initially, there was a lot of paperwork and vetting of volunteers. We worked closely with Resettlement Agencies such as HIAS, IRC and IRIS. We went through training sessions, and many hours of zoom meetings. We established ourselves as a corporation and we are able to partner with Neighbors Link, an organization whose mission overlaps with ours, as our financial sponsor. We formed a board. This all took legal expertise and time. Our second obstacle and probably, the greatest obstacle in Westchester is finding affordable housing close to transportation. Our third hurdle was combing through applications for medicaid, work authorizations, health insurance and SNAP.
Our major achievements have been to successfully put a roof over the heads of four families, help them feel secure, and safe. We have gained their trust, and gratitude. We had the birth of our first American citizen to one of our families this summer! Another of our resettled individuals has received Asylum status during his first year here- a path to permanent citizenship!
You worked for over thirty years as a pediatrician and during that time started another non-profit organization Hands up for Haiti. How did your work both in private practice and in Haiti help prepare you for your work resettling refugees? I was privileged to accompany families and see them grow and thrive over thirty years. I was there during some of their most stressful moments. My work at HUFH helped me to understand the struggles of poverty, food insecurity and homelessness. I also learned a great deal of cultural sensitivity. Both in the private practice of pediatrics and in my volunteer work in Haiti, I learned that people come to each situation they face in life with a different past experience, a different understanding of priorities and goals, and the most important thing in walking beside them, is to try to understand where they are coming from, and to make no assumptions about their views.
How many families has ReSet resettled and can you provide an update on how the families are adjusting to life in Northern Westchester? ReSET has settled in total four family units- three from Afghanistans- a single gentleman, a family of three, and a family of five that recently became six. We have additionally settled one family of five from Ukraine.
How long does the organization stay involved with the individuals it settles and is it the intention for those families to stay in the area or move on to other parts of the country where they might have familial connections or more job opportunities?
The goal is that ReSET stays financially involved for up to one year. As the family gains income, they take on their financial costs of rent, and utilities. Each family will decide for themselves if they want to remain in the area, or relocate to somewhere else. In general, if they have contacts elsewhere in the US, where life may be more affordable, they will certainly consider that. Our goal is to provide a safe initial landing place for them here where we can offer support.
So far, ReSet has resettled both refugee families fleeing Ukraine and Afghanistan, can you talk about the relationship between ReSet and some of the larger national and international resettlement agencies and how the process in which the organization receives families?
There are nine Resettlement Agencies in the United States that work directly with the US State Department. We have worked directly through IRC and HIAS. ReSet has applied to the RAs, and our application has been accepted. We have gone through training and background checks.
With each family, there is a case manager assigned by the Agency which speaks directly to the two volunteer leads for the family. The Resettlement Agency is involved for the first three months, whereas our community co sponsor group is involved for up to one year. Once we notify the Agencies that we are ready to take on another family, they will let us know when they have a family, from any country that needs relocation to our area.
What are some of the ways that individuals can get involved in the organization and what type of training must volunteers go through?
We are in need of affordable housing in towns where families can access public transportation, so any leads to housing would be very welcomed. When a family arrives, we can take responsibility for furnishing the house/apartment and setting it up. We also help to make sure that everything is working and safe. We create a handbook for the family so that they know how to access emergency health care, fire department and handle other emergency situations. We orient them to the neighborhood, including showing them how to shop, and pay with electronic cards. We help register the family in school and make sure that the adults are enrolled in ESL classes. We arrange medical appointments and vaccinations. We provide employment guidance, resume building, and interview advice. We also try to share information about how to budget money. All of this requires many people. There are also behind the scenes jobs. There are opportunities to help with government enrollment in programs and benefits, marketing, social media, and outreach to other organizations in the community on behalf of ReSET. This is one endeavor which truly takes a village.
What are some of the most immediate needs of the families you are resettling and for the organization itself?
Driving lessons! Rides to activities both on weekends and weekdays, baby sitting for young children, volunteers to orient adults to use of public transportation, how to use the banking system, access to psychological supportive care.
What is the best way for people to get in touch if they do want to volunteer their time with ReSet Westchester?
There is a volunteer
tab on our website- This will initiate the process of filling out a brief form, having a background check, and signing a confidentiality statement.
Lightning Round:
One moment running ReSet Westchester put a smile on your face? The birth of our first American citizen- on July 1, 2022. When one of our clients got his letter that he was granted Asylum Status in the US.
If an anonymous donor wrote a check for $100,000 to ReSet describe how that money would be used? $100,000 would support two families for a year. It would mean we can financially take on two new families!
Business you’d most like to see open in our area? Kosher Deli or restaurant.
What would you do with one extra hour everyday? Take a walk.
