One vital resource that helps refugees with resettlement in Delaware is getting additional support, at a time when federal policies are creating more uncertainty.
Senator Chris Coons, D-Del. hosted a refugee roundtable discussion at Jewish Family Services in north Wilmington. JFS is getting $1-million in congressionally directed spending to support its efforts to resettle refugees, focusing on their health, care navigation and cancer care programs.
(appearing in the video: Sen. Chris Coons; Del. Office of New Americans Rony Baltazar-Lopez; Anastasiia Vovchenko)
Anastasiia Vovchenko and members of her family fled from Ukraine just months after the Russian war began more than four years ago. They have been refugee clients of Jewish Family Services.
“We felt like there is somebody here who is always there for you and who you can rely on in case your life goes wrong or something happens you can always reach out to them,” Vovchenko said.
“We’re grateful to Senator Coons and his team for supporting our behavioral health, care navigation, and cancer care services. This funding will help us reach more people, including refugees, with critical care during difficult times,” Jewish Family Services of Delaware Chief Executive Officer John Fisher-Klein said.
Refugees from Afghanistan, Venezuela and Haiti also took part in the discussion.
“There’s a very small number of new refugees being admitted to the United States, but there is a significant community already here that came here legally, that was vetted but whose status is very much uncertain and who need assistance more than ever,” Coons said.
“Thank you to Senator Coons and the JFS for the federal funding to support the community work for refugees, the resources from our partners at the Division of Social Services, our state refugee coordinator who has been instrumental in providing services for the refugee community with the Office of New Americans,” Delaware Office of New Americans Director Rony Baltazar-Lopez said. “We are ready to help and assist, to meet our mission to make sure individuals who come here as new Americans find opportunities and belonging here.”
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