Colorado, Connecticut Jewish Agencies Join HIAS Refugee Resettlement Network

SILVER SPRING, Md. — HIAS announced today that two new affiliates have joined its national network of organizations that provide resettlement services and other integration support for refugees when they arrive in the United States under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

Effective October 1, Jewish Family Service of Colorado and Jewish Family Services of Greenwich, Connecticut have become part of the affiliate network after obtaining approval from the U.S. Department of State, bringing to 25 the number of metropolitan areas across the country where HIAS is helping refugees providing Reception and Placement services.

“We are thrilled that JFS of Greenwich and JFS of Colorado are bringing their skills and experience to our national resettlement network,” said HIAS’ Senior Director of Resettlement and Integration Alicia Wrenn. “We look forward to collaborating with these two trusted partners as we expand our efforts to strengthen the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and restore the nation’s position as a leader in resettlement.”

“I feel privileged to serve our new neighbors under the auspices of HIAS,” said Rachel Kornfeld, Chief Executive Officer of Jewish Family Services of Greenwich. “Our agency has been enriched by the communal efforts natural to the resettlement field. We are poised to make a meaningful impact in lower Fairfield County, with the support of our community, and as a new affiliate of HIAS.”

“We are honored to become a HIAS resettlement partner,” said Linda P. Foster, President and CEO of Jewish Family Service of Colorado. “We’re returning to our agency’s roots to welcome and resettle refugees with integrated services including case management, housing placement and stability, employment support, culturally appropriate food, and mental health counseling to help them adjust to life in Colorado and become integrated into the community.”

JFS of Greenwich, which has been partnering with HIAS to provide services under the U.S. government’s Afghan Placement and Assistance and Uniting for Ukraine program, also previously worked with HIAS in the 1990s, providing resettlement and social services to families from the former Soviet Union arriving in Connecticut. The organization currently offers mental health therapy, senior assistance, and immigration and legal services. JFS of Greenwich actively partners with local social services agencies and community organizations to help families with economic and social-emotional barriers.

This year as a temporary resettlement agency and supervisor of HIAS Sponsorship Circle Denver sites, Jewish Family Service of Colorado successfully resettled 58 Afghan refugees. Founded 150 years ago, the organization offers more than 30 programs and services, including food security, housing stability, mental health counseling, aging care, employment support, and disability services to anyone in need.

Also effective October 1, Commonpoint Queens has joined the HIAS affiliate network, providing resettlement and other vital services for refugees in and around New York City. Through its Workforce division, Commonpoint Queens has successfully provided many of these same services for the last decade, and will now increase its reach beyond the borough of Queens through this partnership – becoming the sole Jewish organization providing refugee resettlement services in New York City.

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