Cazenovia College, Cazenovia Welcomes Refugees and Interfaith Works house New Americans
Three local organizations are partnering to renovate a two-story, college-owned building in Cazenovia, NY to make it a suitable rural home for New American families.
Cazenovia College has agreed to allow 43 Lincklaen Street, a former student residence on the edge of its campus, to be renovated for Cazenovia Welcomes Refugees’ purposes starting this summer. Students in the college’s Residential Design class contributed technical drawings and structural planning services to the renovation project.
CWR intends to use the building as rental housing for New Americans -- those who have lived in the United States for at least one year. The refugee resettlement organization will use grants awarded by Cayuga Presbytery and the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York Ministry, but will also recruit volunteers and raise additional funds for the renovation of the building. Once the renovation is complete, CWR will collaborate with Interfaith Works to identify suitable families to live there.
Representatives from Cazenovia College, CWR, and Interfaith Works believe that this collaboration is a positive development for the area.
“The formalization of this agreement is truly a significant milestone, and I am excited at the possibilities represented in this partnership,” said David Bergh, executive vice president for Cazenovia College. “This college and this village have long, interwoven histories of opening their arms to newcomers and being welcoming places."
"We look forward to continuing to partner with the college and the village and larger community to create a home and prepare to welcome new members to our community," said Holmes, tri-facilitator of Cazenovia Welcomes Refugees. "With the village and local schools within walking distance, and campus resources nearby all providing an extended sense of community, the house is an ideal location for these residents’ new home.”
“Our agency has been settling refugees for over 40 years, and has served as a member of and fiscal sponsor for Cazenovia Welcomes Refugees since its inception in our wonderful village," InterFaith Works President/CEO Beth Broadway added. "The 43 Lincklaen Project represents a true collaboration of many different people and groups and has become a national model of what a community can do to open the heart of compassion, service and welcome to New Americans. We are so grateful to the college and to CWR for this forward-thinking action.”
Originally published by the Utica Observer-Dispatch, 6/28/21
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