Our congregation has been moved by news of people displaced by wars, violence, and political unrest around the world. With millions of families forced to flee their homes, we have been inspired to find a way to create a bridge to safety for a displaced family. Our interest led us to Welcome Corps.
Welcome Corps is a national program that offers a clear blueprint for community-based action to support refugees for a critical three-month transition period. The program provides directions and resources to help groups organize themselves to provide the kinds of support refugees need to settle into a new community. All participating refugee families and individuals may work in the U.S., and the goal of the program is to help them become independent. Following the Welcome Corps model, our congregation has joined with other churches and individuals in the community to host our first family to the Corning area.
In January 2025, a married couple with two children arrived to start their new life in America! As of mid-February, they have found a permanent place to live, their children have started school, they have received all their official documents, have started working part-time and have begun the full-time employment search process.
We will continue to support our newcomer family with English language lessons, employment and transportation assistance, financial literacy, and cultural instruction. Unfortunately, recent federal changes mean that the Welcome Corps program has been suspended until further notice, even for families whose applications have been fully approved. We hope that we will be able to host another family once this program has been reinstated. In the meantime, we will use the donations and help to ensure this family succeeds in their new life in the US.
To receive updates on our activities or to volunteer to help us welcome newcomers to our community, click "Find out More" below.
To donate to our efforts, send your check payable to First Congregational United Church of Christ, 171 West Pulteney Street, Corning, NY 14830. Please write “Refugee Welcome Project” on the memo line. You can also give online at the link below. Gifts to the Corning Refugee Welcome Program are held in an account of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Corning NY.
Thank you for your support!