Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Committee

The Jewish Center's Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Committee supports recently arrived refugees as they establish their new lives in our community. We plan for their arrival, pre-arrange housing, food, and medical care, and meet them at the airport. Our case management includes interpretation services along with cultural orientation, English and financial literacy instruction, and enrollment of children in school.  All of these tasks are required by the U.S. State Department.  We collaborate with Interfaith Refugee and Immigrant Services and Empowerment (Interfaith-RISE), a US State Department designated affiliate of the US Committee for Refugees & Immigrants.  

Our number one priority is helping the family become self-sufficient.  Initially there is government paperwork to be completed and unmet health-needs to be addressed, but as soon as possible our volunteers provide support in finding employment for the families.  Facilitating transportation to and from appointments and job interviews is a large, ongoing responsibility for our committee.

Princeton's diverse community and strong public schools make it a welcoming place for refugee families. Our belief is that that every community can do its part for international refugees and we want our community, Princeton, to do its part. Led by a steering committee experienced in refugee resettlement, our monthly meetings attract a diverse and dedicated volunteer group that includes social workers, teachers, lawyers, and activists, many drawn from local area congregations and representing multiple faith traditions. Our committee also includes representatives from Princeton Community Housing and the Princeton Department of Human Services. 

Since 2015 we have resettled four families ( two from Pakistan, one from Afghanistan and one from Syria).  We're now preparing to welcome three families from Afghanistan.  We've also worked with families from Cameroon, Eritrea, Tibet, El Salvador, St. John and Turkey.