Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Hearts & Homes for Refugees. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community.

Hearts & Homes for Refugees (HHR) is proud to announce it has received a $45,000 grant from the Westchester Community Foundation (WCF). This grant will support Hearts & Homes in their two-part mission to resettle and support refugees, and to work towards building a longer welcoming table in the Lower Hudson Valley.

This grant is a crucial part of WCF’s mission to connect generous people to the causes they care about, to invest in transformative ideas, and for organizations to improve lives and strengthen our communities. WCF is a division of The New York Community Trust, one of the largest community foundations in the country, with assets of approximately $3 billion.

“The Westchester Community Foundation is pleased to support Hearts & Homes for Refugees. The community sponsorship model eases refugee resettlement while strengthening existing community networks. Most important, it promotes the community foundation’s own values of a more welcoming, kind community for all,” noted WCF Executive Director Laura Rossi.

This grant will assist Hearts & Homes to build a more robust network of support for refugees. This coming year, Hearts & Homes will focus on the development of new community sponsors within their growing network of over 50 faith and civic groups in Westchester, Rockland and Orange County.

Sponsors are groups of passionate volunteers that work directly with refugees, providing up to one year of holistic wrap-around services. This includes assistance with housing, employment, personal finances, navigating schools and medical systems, community and cultural orientation, and English language learning.

Utilizing their years of experience working with refugees and resettlement agencies, Hearts & Homes recruits, trains, mentors, and provides financial assistance to volunteer groups that are interested in being a part of the local solution to the global refugee crisis. This includes volunteers interested in full Community Sponsorship or smaller commitments, such as community sponsorship “lite,” private resettlement support, and welcome circles.

Part of this work involves orienting families in their communities to help them feel safe and confident in their new home. Hearts & Homes will use this grant to develop and share webinars for newly arrived families on topics about life in their new community. Hearts & Homes will also ensure that families have access to the necessary technology to view these webinars.

Throughout the coming year, Hearts & Homes will continue to host outings and networking events for resettled families. Gatherings and networking events allow refugees to connect with people of their culture and other families that have experienced similar hardships resettling in a foreign land, while also reinforcing bonds with volunteers.

Hearts & Homes will also use part of the funds to manage a mini-grant program to help local groups meet refugee family needs not covered by other sources.

As a regional leader of refugee resettlement, Hearts & Homes is focused on expanding the network of refugee resettlement groups. Hearts & Homes was a founding member of the national Hello Neighbor Network (HNN), composed of 25 sister organizations across the country. The HNN is an invaluable resource partner for sharing ideas and best practices in community sponsored refugee resettlement.

In the coming year, Hearts & Homes will continue to grow their network and partnerships into a sustainable and robust grassroots community-support model that will improve long term outcomes for our aspiring new American neighbors.

If you are interested in becoming a community sponsor for refugees in and around Westchester, and the Lower Hudson Valley please visit: https://www.heartsandhomesforrefugees.org/community-sponsorship to learn more, or use this form to sign up.