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resolution 2 pages

On motion of TRUSTEE__________, seconded by TRUSTEE__________, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York: Resolution #23-2022 WHEREAS, federally-sponsored refugees and asylees from Afghanistan, who have narrowly escaped persecution and possibly death in their home country following the Taliban’s takeover of the United States –aligned government in Kabul last summer, have arrived in the United States, sometimes with only the clothes on their backs and the hope in their hearts; and WHEREAS, they have left behind family members, friends and neighbors, careers and a familiar culture and a way of life; and WHEREAS, our new neighbors must make the difficult physical, cultural, emotional and career transition to a new home, a new life and a new country, and Whereas Ossining for Refugees, the newest Community Sponsorship organization in Westchester County, bringing together neighbors, houses of worship, community organizations and key service providers in Ossining, Briarcliff Manor, Pleasantville and Croton-on-Hudson, has been formed to help resettle the many Afghan individuals and families who deserve a new start; and WHEREAS, Ossining for Refugees works with HIAS, (the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society), the oldest of nine federally recognized resettlement agencies, Hearts & Homes, the leader among several Community Sponsorship Organizations in Westchester County, and Catholic Charities; and WHEREAS, Ossining for Refugees is made up of all volunteer-staffed teams to provide assistance to refugees and asylees in the following areas: (1) securing safe, comfortable and affordable housing, (2) providing furniture, including beds, new mattresses, bedding and towels, housewares, dishes, kitchen/household supplies and personal care items, (3) introducing families to community amenities, (4) evaluating language needs and providing appropriate support, (5) identifying educational needs of family members and interfacing with school districts for appropriate placements and advocacy, (6) identifying potential employment opportunities, (7) helping to understand finances and create workable household budgets, (8) providing transportation to doctor’s appointments, school meetings, etc., (9) helping to apply for Social Security cards, SNAP benefits, ID cards/Driver’s Licenses and other government programs, and (10) helping families navigate the medical insurance system; and WHEREAS, Ossining for Refugees will assist our new neighbors on their journey to rebuilding a new life in a new and different country, and ultimately to reach self- sufficiency and financial independence; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson recognizes that the current Afghanistan refugee situation constitutes a real humanitarian crisis, and seeks to welcome its new neighbors, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson affirms and supports the mission and work of Ossining for Refugees and other nonprofits in welcoming and re-settling our new Afghan neighbors and all those escaping oppression, in the belief that by improving their lives, ours will be enriched as well. Dated: February 28, 2022