Local Organizations Here is a current list of community-based organizations and government agencies that participate in the Capital Region Refugee and Immigrant Roundtable. Click on the names of the organizations to access their websites.
Note: Many other local organizations help support refugees and immigrants in various capacities, such as basic needs, education, health, and legal services. Information about these organizations can be found in other sections of this website.
Last updated: July 8th, 2024
Direct Services (Community-Based)
CAPITAL DISTRICT LATINOS Founded in 2010, Capital District Latinos (CDL) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to create conditions for the success of the Latino community in the Capital District. CDL operates a Cultural Empowerment and Community Engagement Center at its facility in Albany which provides cultural, educational, health-related, and basic needs services for the Latino community and its many immigrant neighbors. COLUMBIA COUNTY SANCTUARY MOVEMENT CCSM was founded in rural NY so we could build a base, create direct service infrastructure, and support a political home for immigrants. Since the beginning, we have utilized a service and organizing model that engages our community of members directly in our work. This approach was birthed out of necessity and grew naturally. We believe long-term systemic change comes from bottom-up organizing through establishing leadership from directly impacted communities and forming relationships grounded in solidarity and mutual aid. Our holistic approach demonstrates how investing in a single person can have a lasting effect on their family, their community, and the quality of life for immigrants in New York. Note: CCSM provides the administrative support for the Capital Region Sanctuary Coalition.
ECAR - RUSSELL SAGE COLLEGE Russell Sage was the first college in New York state to partner with Every College a Refuge (ECAR), a national higher education initiative that helps colleges and universities partner with local refugee resettlement agencies to host refugees on campus and support their successful integration. Russell Sage also hosts a weekly Intercultural Cafe (on both the Albany and Troy campuses) to offer refugees and immigrants a chance to practice their language skills in a casual setting and students the opportunity to help them.
IBERO ACTION LEAGUE, INC. (CENTRO CIVICO ALBANY-AMSTERDAM) The Ibero-American Action League, Inc. was incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization in 1968 with the help of the Catholic Diocese of Rochester. In 1975, Centro Civico Hispano Americano, Inc. was founded in Albany. Centro Civico of Amsterdam, Inc. began operation with volunteers from the community in 1986. Both Centro Civico's merged in the early 2000's. In 2020, the agency merged with Ibero, a dual language multi-service agency that uplifts, empowers, and advocates for Latinos and the underserved to achieve equity and become fully valued community members. Together, they serve a large regional area of upstate New York including six counties in the Capital Region, five counties of the Mohawk Valley, and Monroe County.
RISSE (REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT SUPPORT SERVICES AT EMMAUS) RISSE is a community-based organization assisting refugees and newly arrived immigrants in the city of Albany and beyond. They provide year-round English Language and support services as well as operate an after-school program, adult English language classes, job assistance, help with filing basic immigration documents, and more.
SUNHEE’S COMMUNITY PLACE Sunhee’s Community Place is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and the non-profit arm of Sunhee’s Farm and Kitchen, seeking to empower immigrants and refugees through employment opportunities and educational programming. Sunhee’s works closely with our volunteer team to administer various in-house services, including adult English classes, one-on-one conversation partners, and computer access and literacy. THE MUSLIM SOUP KITCHEN PROJECT Serving those in need in the Capital district since 2003. The Muslim Soup Kitchen Project puts faith to practice by providing food, holding drives, visiting the sick AND elderly and hosting Eid Ul Adha meat collection.
U.S. COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS (USCRI) USCRI is the primary refugee resettlement agency in the Capital Region. The USCRI team prepares new homes for newcomers whose lives have been interrupted by war, political unrest, or violence. They help people get back on their feet and build self-reliance in a new country by connecting them to essentials like jobs, education, and health care.
WEST HILL REFUGEE WELCOME CENTER (RWC) The RWC is a community-based organization that assists refugees in the West Hill neighborhood of Albany. RWC converts abandoned and vacant buildings into affordable housing and safe housing for refugees and immigrants. Through its community center, RWC provides a range of family services including adult English language classes, tutoring for school students, and community events.
Direct Services (Governmental)
ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CENTER (AIC) - ALBANY SCHOOL DISTRICT The City School District of Albany is proud to be a growing hub for refugee families and families whose native language is one other than English. The district is committed to meeting the needs of all of our students and families in partnership with our diverse community. Specifically, the Albany International Center serves refugee and immigrant students in grades 6-12 from throughout the City School District of Albany who are in the early stages of learning English and will benefit from targeted instruction and support in all subjects.
NEW YORK STATE MIGRANT EDUCATION PROGRAM The New York State Migrant Education Program was established in 1975 to help school districts in New York State meet the unique needs of migrant children. Migrant program staff provide academic support including one-on-one tutoring, small group instruction, home based academic assistance, and ESL services.
NEW YORK STATE OFFICE FOR NEW AMERICANS (ONA) Created in 2012, ONA provides a variety of free support services to all immigrants and refugees in New York State, regardless of status. Through its first in the nation state-wide network of community-based immigrant service providers, ONA assists new Americans with naturalization support, community workshops, workforce development programs, access to developmental disabilities resources, English language learning, mental health, and legal services. To access any of ONA’s programs, call the toll-free, multilingual, confidential New Americans Hotline (1-800-566-7636) or visit their website for a list of local providers.
NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE (BUREAU OF REFUGEE SERVICES) This office provides assistance to refugees and their families in achieving economic and social self-sufficiency, helps repatriated citizens arrive safely at home, provides assistance to victims of human trafficking and assures proper foster care for unaccompanied refugee and entrant minors. For more detailed information on BRS programs and providers visit their website, follow NYS OTDA on Facebook, call (518) 402-3096 or e-mail [email protected].
Legal Services
ALBANY COUNTY REGIONAL IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE III (RIAC 3) Serving 14 counties, we are dedicated to improving the legal representation of indigent noncitizens by equipping the attorneys assigned to representing these clients with expert advice and defense strategies. We are also able to provide basic immigration advice and information to immigrants and their families. For more information, call (518) 447-4890 or call the helpline at 1-833-373-2677.
ALBANY LAW SCHOOL IMMIGRATION CLINIC The Immigration Law Clinic serves a unique role in the Capital Region, leveraging its many partnerships to dramatically increase the impact of its resources. In the world of pro bono legal services, there is often a lag between the emergence of an issue and the ability of traditional nonprofits to respond because their time is committed to the goals of existing funding and their staff members are already working at capacity. The Immigration Law Clinic is able to create flexible surge capacity for this work, in part because of our community connections, but also because we are able to harness student energy, time, and interest to mitigate the access to justice gap for immigrants in New York State.
THE LEGAL PROJECT (IMMIGRATION PROGRAM) The Legal Project in Albany, NY, Immigration Program assists eligible immigrants and refugees with their legal questions through free one-on-one consultations with an immigration attorney.
Networking and Advocacy
CAPITAL REGION REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT ROUNDTABLE The Capital Region Refugee and Immigrant Roundtable is a network of volunteers and representatives from community-based organizations and government agencies working together to welcome newcomers and improve and expand support systems that assist refugees, immigrants, and resettled families in the Capital Region.
CAPITAL REGION SANCTUARY COALITION Beginning in May 2023, New York City resettled approximately 1,000 asylum seekers in Albany and Schenectady County hotels. Immediately, local community-based organizations began organizing to ensure that these immigrants would receive welcome and support from the surrounding communities. After a number of months, these immigrant support organizations created the Capital Region Sanctuary Coalition in order to facilitate communication and coordination in their work. To find out more about the Coalition and how you can donate and/or volunteer, contact the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement (see description and website below).
NEW YORK IMMIGRATION COALITION (ALBANY CHAPTER) The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy & advocacy organization that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York.
SARATOGA IMMIGRATION COALITION Saratoga Immigration Coalition is a network of civic groups, faith communities, and concerned individuals in Saratoga Springs, NY (serving Saratoga, Washington, and Warren Counties). They support education and advocacy to foster communities that are welcoming to all immigrants.
