Welcoming refugees to our community, one family at a time
Founded in October 2021, Ossining for Refugees is an official Community Sponsorship organization, bringing together neighbors, houses of worship, community organizations and key service providers in Ossining, Briarcliff, Pleasantville, and Croton, with the shared mission of welcoming and integrating federally-sponsored refugees into our community.
Help now.
We are currently collecting for a family of four resettling in Cold Spring.
View our list of current needs >
We invite you to join our network of volunteers and service providers to support our newest neighbors and help them make a successful transition to a new country with unfamiliar food, customs and language.
Join us in saying, “Welcome to your new home.”
Learn more.
Join Us! Film Screening and Panel Discussion
Neighbors Link, Films On Purpose and Ossining for Refugees will host a free virtual discussion of A Home Called Nebraska and local refugee and immigration issues on February 17th at 7pm. The film will be available in advance for streaming. The film and panel are free to watch, but donations to assist our work resettling refugeee families are very welcome. Event details…
Ossining for Refugees began when Ossining resident Sofia Bator learned that her cousin, whom we call F to protect her identity, was trapped in Afghanistan and in danger of being imprisoned or killed by the Taliban. With the help of local and national leaders including Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, US Congressman Mondaire Jones and US Senator Chuck Schumer, F was rescued from Kabul by US Marines in late August. Inspired by Sofia’s determination and F‘s rescue, Ossining Town Supervisor Dana Levenberg invited local friends and neighbors to come together to assist F and others, welcoming them to our community. The community responded, and Ossining for Refugees was formed. More…
How we work
Ossining for Refugees works in partnership with federally-sponsored resettlement agencies including HIAS and Catholic Charities as well as diverse local organizations to provide refugees and their immediate families with necessities including housing, furniture, clothing, and employment assistance. We also connect them with medical care, schools, ESL classes, and temporary government services like SNAP.
From day one through the next three to six months, we help our new neighbors navigate the challenges and opportunities of their new home – in the belief that they will, in turn, enrich our own community.
Our supporting organizations
Our partnership with local community organizations helps us assist our new neighbors as they rebuild a new life and a new home in a new and different community. Read more about our partnership with these supporting organizations here.
Ossining for Refugees is a Community Sponsorship organization, bringing together neighbors, houses of worship, community organizations and key service providers in Ossining, Briarcliff, Pleasantville, and Croton, with the shared mission of welcoming and integrating federally-sponsored refugees into our community.