Within hours of the COVID shutdown, Central New York agencies serving refugees and immigrants set up 24/7 hot lines in 20+ languages and launched aggressive outreach efforts to help the community understand the severity of the virus and protective steps needed.
Panelists for the Jan. 22, 2021, Forum were Haji Adan, Executive Director of Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment (RISE); Marwah Alobaidi, Associate Director for Resettlement Services at Interfaith Works’ Center for New Americans; Felicia Castricone, Program Director of Refugee Resettlement Services for Catholic Charities of Onondaga County and Felicien Seruhungu, Case Manager at Interfaith Works. The Rev. James Mathews of St. Lucy’s Church, a FOCUS Wisdom Keeper, was moderator for the discussion.