The Community Foundation of Otsego County is pleased to announce the creation of a new fund, the Otsego Refugee Resettlement Coalition Fund.

Founded in October 2021 by a dedicated group of volunteers, the Otsego Refugee Resettlement Coalition began looking at ways to bring refugees to Oneonta. With over 100 representatives from area nonprofit organizations, businesses, educational institutions, as well as local individuals and members of the faith community, the Coalition successfully brought two refugees to Oneonta this past summer. The Coalition’s work was featured in the Wall Street Journal.

“Watching our first refugee family over the past months become part of the community, begin working, and join a local faith community has been amazing,” said Carli Ficano, Professor of Economics at Hartwick College and member of the Coalition’s Steering Committee. “Their optimism, adaptability, and grit is truly inspiring. Equally inspiring are the ways in which our local community has gone above and beyond to welcome and support our newcomers. And now, I can’t wait to meet and get to know another family on their journey to US citizenship.”

Now, with the Otsego Refugee Resettlement Coalition Fund in place, the Coalition is getting ready to apply for more refugees.

“The Community Foundation has been thrilled to work with, and within, the Coalition and the results have been impressive,” said CFOC Executive Director Jeff Katz. “With the creation of the Otsego Refugee Resettlement Coalition Fund, we can work more effectively to raise funds and bring more people to Otsego County.”

You can donate directly to the Otsego Refugee Resettlement Coalition Fund by going to https://cfotsego.org/our-funds/ and clicking on the “Donate to the Otsego Refugee Resettlement Coalition Fund” button.

To learn more about the Otsego Refugee Resettlement Coalition, click here.