Resettlement And Integration Services

Overview

Want to contact us? 

• For general inquiries, please email resettlement@commonpoint.org or call 929-607-3737. 
• If you are interested in accessing resettlement services:
  • Ukrainian humanitarian parolees can email UkrainianResponse@commonpoint.org and/or fill out this online screening form.
  • All other eligible populations can email resettlement@commonpoint.org or fill out this online screening form.
• If you want to volunteer with us, please click here for more information or email resettlement_volunteers@commonpoint.org.

WELCOME TO NEW YORK: A Guide for Ukrainian Newcomers
This booklet is intended to provide information and resources for Ukrainian humanitarian parolees who have arrived in New York

ЛАСКАВО ПРОСИМО У НЬЮ-ЙОРК: інструкція для новоприбулих українців
Цей буклет має на меті надати інформацію та ресурси для осіб, які отримали український гуманітраний пароль та прибули до Нью-Йорка

Who We Are

Commonpoint became the New York City-area resettlement affiliate of HIAS in October 2022 and created a Resettlement and Integration Services Division to provide a broad range of services to refugees and other humanitarian migrants. You can read more about this in our press release!

Commonpoint provides initial resettlement, case management, social adjustment, ESOL classes and tutoring, employment counseling, job placement, career and other vocational training services to refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, and Special Immigrant Visa holders (SIVs) in New York City, Westchester County and Long Island.

Our dedicated staff are experienced professionals in the field of resettlement and represent the diversity of the communities we serve, with language proficiency in Spanish, Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Ukrainian, Russian, Haitian Creole, French, Burmese, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi and Swahili. Many members of our staff are former refugees and immigrants, and know firsthand the challenges faced by our clients today in adjusting to life in a new country.

As an affiliate of the sole Jewish refugee resettlement agency, Commonpoint is proud to implement HIAS’ mission of welcoming the stranger and protecting the refugee regardless of race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation or gender identity.

What We Do

Commonpoint provides direct services to refugees, asylees, SIVs and other humanitarian migrants, with the goals of successful integration into the community and facilitating self-sufficiency. Learn more on HIAS’ Resettlement page.

Commonpoint currently operates a number of federal and state programs, funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), the State of New York, and through private support.

Initial Resettlement

Reception and Placement Program (R&P)

Commonpoint, in cooperation with the U.S Department of State’s Refugee Admissions Program, offers eligible refugees and SIVs assistance through the Reception and Placement Program. Each refugee admitted to the United States is placed with a non-profit national resettlement agency, such as HIAS, which then assigns refugees to local resettlement affiliates like Commonpoint for comprehensive pre-arrival and post-arrival services. This includes facilitating appropriate housing, furnishings, food and seasonal clothing upon arrival, airport pick up, assistance with urgent medical and other needs, enrollment in English language and employment programs (for adults), and enrollment in public school (for children), applying for Social Security cards and public benefits programs, providing cultural orientation, facilitating a refugee health screening, and more. The R&P period lasts between 30 to 90 days after arrival.

PC Ukrainian Initial Services 

The Preferred Communities (PC) Ukrainian Initial Services program, funded by ORR, provides initial resettlement services for Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees (UHPs) who arrived in the United States after February 24, 2022 and before October 1, 2024. Working in collaboration with UHPs’ sponsors, Commonpoint provides case management services to ensure clients access public benefits, refugee health screening, assistance with Employment Authorization Document and Social Security Card applications, referral to employment services or English language support, school enrollment (for minors) and other immigration services. The service period lasts 90 days from date of enrollment.

PC Cuban/Haitian Initial Services

The Preferred Communities Cuban/Haitian Initial Services program, funded by ORR, provides initial resettlement services for Cuban/Haitian entrants and humanitarian parolees. Working in collaboration with these individuals’ sponsors, Commonpoint provides case management services to ensure clients access public benefits, refugee health screening, assistance with Employment Authorization Document and Social Security Card applications, referral to employment services or English language support, school enrollment (for minors) and other immigration services. The service period lasts 90 days from date of enrollment.

Social Integration

Preferred Communities Intensive Case Management

The Preferred Communities program, funded by ORR, provides intensive case management services for particularly vulnerable populations, including those with chronic physical health conditions or mental health needs, single parents, young adults living without family, LGBTQI+ individuals, and others. ORR-eligible populations* can receive one year of services through PC, and can be enrolled in the program at any time during their first five years in the U.S (or since their grant of asylum).

NYSESRP

The New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program (NYSESRP) is focused on supporting all ORR-eligible populations* as they attain economic self-sufficiency. Through NYSESRP, Commonpoint provides case management services, in-house English language classes or tutoring, assistance with health and medical services, extended cultural orientation, post-employment services and more. This works to assist eligible individuals and families in attaining economic and social self-sufficiency.

Refugee Health Promotion (RHP)

The Refugee Health Promotion program, funded by the State of New York, promotes the health literacy and overall well-being of refugees. Through the RHP program, Commonpoint supports refugees by providing opportunities to increase health literacy as well as access to healthcare and emotional wellness services. To accomplish this, Commonpoint organizes workshops on topics such as childhood development, women’s reproductive health, nutrition and other topics. On an individual basis, Commonpoint assists refugees in coordinating their health care services, ensuring continuity of care and provides one-on-one mental health services. This program ensures all refugees have adequate knowledge of and access to allowable health services.

Economic Inclusion

Matching Grant (MG)

The Matching Grant (MG) program, funded by ORR, is an 8-month program that functions as an alternative to public cash assistance by providing individualized and specialized employment services to ORR-eligible populations* upon their arrival to the United States or grant of asylum or other qualifying status. With an emphasis on rapid employment and attaining economic self-sufficiency within the first 180 days in the program, Commonpoint provides case management services to ensure basic necessities such as access to housing, food, medicine and transportation are all met in preparation for full-time employment.

Refugee Support Services Program (RSSP)

Commonpoint assists refugees and their families in achieving economic and social self-sufficiency through the Refugee Support Services Program. Commonpoint focuses on employment preparation and job placement services and provides additional case management, interpretation/translation, career mentorship and other support to ORR-eligible population* program participants. The RSSP program is funded through the State of New York by ORR.

* “ORR-eligible populations” include refugees, asylees, Afghan & Iraqi SIVs, Afghan humanitarian parolees (who arrived prior to 10/1/23), Ukrainian humanitarian parolees (who arrived prior to 10/1/24), Cuban & Haitian entrants, Amerasians, and Victims of Human Trafficking.

USARA (Ukraine Supplemental Appropriation to Resettlement Agencies)

The USARA program supports eligible Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees on their path to employability and self-sufficiency. USARA participants receive employment and extended case management services, including but not limited to outreach, ongoing needs assessment, employment preparation, job placement, English language classes, assistance with benefit application and navigation, and more. USARA participants may receive additional services and support in order to facilitate their employment and stability in the United States, depending on their current needs.

Legal Protection

Working in close collaboration with HIAS’ legal and pro-bono teams in New York, Commonpoint staff facilitate adjustment of status applications for its current and former clients. Commonpoint also partners with NYLAG (New York Legal Assistance Group) to provide free legal counseling to community members and clients.

Get Involved with Volunteer Services

Our volunteers and donors are invaluable in helping to welcome recent arrivals as they begin their lives as new Americans. Volunteers complement and extend Commonpoint’s refugee resettlement programming by providing a variety of services such as one-on-one matching for English tutoring, career mentorship, interpretation and translation, and accompaniment; community sponsorship; and donations in the form of electronics, clothing, housing necessities, and more. 

Your expertise, interests, and commitment can help refugees build a new life, achieve their goals, and feel at home in their new community. Commonpoint offers many ways for community members to get involved, and has opportunities to fit your individual availability. Find out more about volunteer opportunities here. You can also help refugees by purchasing essential items (such as winter clothing, gift cards to purchase groceries, basic household items, hygiene products and more) off of our Amazon Wishlist. Click here!