Upon arrival, the initial resettlement process ensures that a refugee’s basic needs are met for three months and beyond. The Capital Region has numerous resources available to help refugees and others with basic living issues when the need arises.
Donations: Refugee families who are resettling depend on thrift stores where they can choose items that suit their needs. If you have items to donate such as furniture or clothes, please start by consulting this list of organizations that accept donations.
General Assistance
Trinity Alliance of the Capital Regionprovides a comprehensive range of support and referral services for families and individuals living in the Albany area through its Family and Neighborhood Resource Center. Additional services include emergency food, clothing, gun violence prevention, substance abuse treatment. For more information, call (518) 459-5155.
Albany Community Action Partnership (ACAP)provides community support and referral services in a wide variety ways including early childhood education, energy services, emergency food services and career assistance. Fore more information, call (518) 463-3175.
Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO), Troyprovides community support and referral services for families and individuals living in Troy. Services include early childhood education, family support, employment and financial education, and health education and support. For more information, call (518) 272-6012.
Unity House, Troyprovides a wide variety of community services for people living in Rensselaer County including emergency food and clothing, housing support, career planning, case management and children services.
Schenectady Inner City Ministry (SICM)provides a variety of community support and referral services for families and individuals living in Schenectady. For more information, call (518) 374-2683.
Food
Food Pantries for the Capital District Refugees are eligible to receive upon arrival in the United States. However, if there is an emergency food need, there are food pantries located throughout the Capital Region that can provide immediate assistance. For a complete list of member food pantries, click here. Muslim Soup Kitchen Project (MSKP) services are is available refugees, immigrants and any other person in need in the Capital Region. MSKP holds monthly community meals at various locations in the Capital Region. For more information about its food and other community projects, visit their website.
Housing
USCRI-Albany secures safe, sanitary housing for all incoming refugees in the Albany area. However, after initial resettlement, refugees often encounter challenges in finding and renting affordable safe housing. Below are some helpful resources.
United Tenants of Albany (UTA) assists tenants in a full range of rental issues including tenant rights regarding leases, repairs, evictions etc. UTA provides legal assistance for tenants and has limited funding for rental and utility assistance. UTA’s Housing Hotline provides tenants with assistance in answering questions and navigating housing issues. (This is not a “live hotline.” Housing Counselors will return request for information in the order that they are received, and due to high call volume, there may be a delay in returned calls.) To access the UTA housing hotline, call 518-436-8997 extension 3 or complete the request form here.
The Section 8 Home Program walks participants through the process of purchasing their first home, and offers them the opportunity to use their Section 8 rental vouchers to receive monthly mortgage payment assistance. Click the following links for information in your county: Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Troy.
ReStore – Habitat for Humanity The Capital District Habitat for Humanity ReStore store accepts donated new and used building materials, furniture, appliances, lighting fixtures and other home goods and then sells them at a discounted price to raise money to support Habitat’s work in helping local families build affordable houses. You can donate goods, shop or volunteer at the ReStore store at 70 Fuller Road, Albany NY open to the public Wednesday – Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm.
Capital Region Furniture Bank This furniture bank is provided for individuals and families transitioning from homeless shelters to permanent housing. If you would like to donate furniture call 518-612-2265 of fill out this form: http://hatas.org/furniture/donate/
Clothing
Refugees often arrive with very few possessions and are not prepared for job interviews or cold weather in the Capital Region. The following are available to help them find affordable, appropriate clothing.
Blessingdales at Capital City Rescue Missionoffers clothing, household items, such as linens, small appliances, dishes, silverware, etc. Shopping hours for men are Tuesday and Thursday – 9:30 am to 11:00 am and 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm and women are Wednesday and Friday – 9:30 am to 11:00 am and 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. However, special accommodations can be made by appointment only. Located at 95 Trinity Place Albany, NY 12202. For more information, call (518) 462-0459.
Salvation Army accepts donations of new or gently used home items, toys, books, clothing, furniture, and electronics that are available for purchase at a low price. They operate various store locations around the capital region.
Grassroots Givers runs a community store located at 274 Washington Avenue (the old Washington Avenue YMCA), Mon-Thurs: 10 am –2 pm. For more information, call (518) 817-5921.
Trinity Alliance Family & Neighborhood Resource Center provides a host of programs for adults, children and families to help improve their lives, create lasting relationships, and make a positive difference in their community. Located at the Arbor Hill Center and 15 Trinity Place, hours of operation 8:30 – 5:00pm. For more information, call (518) 449-5155.
Dress for Success is part of a global movement for change, empowering women to obtain safer and better futures. They provide clients with professional attire to secure employment, and offer programs to build professional confidence and knowledge. Located at 333 Sheridan Avenue Albany, NY 12206. For more information, call (518) 463-3175.
Children's Needs/Child Care
Mary’s Corner is a ministry of the Albany Association of Ladies of Charity, serving families with children birth to 4 years in Albany, Cohoes, Watervliet, and Green Island. Families may receive 1x monthly of the following: baby food/formula/cereal; diapers; clothing outfits; socks and underwear; baby hygiene items; books; toys. Seasonal coats, baby equipment, pack n plays, strollers are also available. Mary's Corner is open for curbside pickup at the Sr. Maureen Joyce Center, 369 Livingston Avenue, Albany, and Cohoes Library Basement entrance, 169 Mohawk St., Cohoes. For further details and information on access, contact Ellen Bernier at [email protected] or Candice Stellato at [email protected].
NYS Kinship Navigator is an information referral, education and advocacy program supporting people who are caring for a child that is not biologically their own. (Note: This is not part of the foster care system.) The program provides legal and financial information. For information, call the Helpline at 877-454-6463.