HIAS Announces Expansion of Refugee Resettlement Network in 7 Cities

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Today, HIAS announced that the Department of State has approved seven new resettlement locations that will be part of HIAS’ national resettlement network to help provide homes and support for refugees when they arrive in the United States. The new locations are spread across the nation, a sign that there is a place for refugees everywhere in the United States. With the addition of these new sites HIAS is now helping refugees in 24 metropolitan areas across the country.

Alicia Wrenn, HIAS’ Senior Director of Resettlement and Integration, said, “Each one of these new partners brings unique strengths to refugee resettlement and a deep passion to serve.”

HIAS’ new or returning refugee resettlement partner agencies are:

• Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Tucson
• Jewish Child and Family Services Chicago, in Skokie, IL
• Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine in Portland
• Congregation B’nai Emunah in Tulsa, OK

“We are pleased to announce these new HIAS partners across the nation, some of which we are welcoming back to the HIAS family. HIAS and the Jewish community are more than ready to accommodate refugees and to provide them the necessary support they need to thrive,” said Mark Hetfield, President and CEO of HIAS. “We salute these communities for being places of welcome and doing their part in providing refugees a safe place to resettle and begin a new life. We look forward to working with these affiliates to welcome new Americans.”

JCFS Chicago and JFCS of Tucson are rejoining the HIAS network, along with Jewish Community Services (JCS) of South Florida in Miami. JCS of South Florida will participate in the Afghan Placement and Assistance (APA) program and social integration programming. New HIAS sites through existing partner agencies were also announced in North Port, FL and Niagara Falls, NY. All of these locations will soon begin resettling within their communities and providing essential support to refugees as they begin the process of restarting their lives in the United States.

To speak with these affiliates or HIAS’ resettlement teams, please contact Meredith MacKenzie de Silva at West End Strategy Team, HIAS@westendstrategy.com.

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HIAS is an international Jewish humanitarian organization that provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers in 16 countries. We advocate for the rights of refugees to rebuild their lives and seek to create a world in which they find welcome, safety, and opportunity. Learn more at hias.org