Journey’s End Refugee Service CEO Pamela Kefi, discusses Wednesday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, more collaboration with the New Neighbors Coalition. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

With the Help of Journey’s End Refugee Service, The New Neighbors Coalition continues its mission to help revitalize Jamestown.

New Neighbors and Journey’s End announced Wednesday, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, a next step in their collaboration in the city. Both organizations have signed an agreement reaffirming their partnership to provide long-term integration services to refugees and immigrants who are making Jamestown home, and builds on the tradition of welcome in the community.

In 2021, St. Luke’s spearheaded The New Neighbors Coalition after a conversation with civic and faith leaders about the potential for refugee resettlement to help revitalize the city. St. Luke’s formed a partnership with Journey’s End and set up the first office at St. Luke’s, 410 Main St. Together they welcomed the first refugee family in 2023. Since then, more than 125 individuals have resettled in Jamestown.

Rev. Luke Fodor said a lot of time has been spent bringing all the details together, so that the organizations can work seamlessly and effectively in the city.

“We’re grateful for all of the philanthropic support. We’re grateful for other partners in our community as well, some of whom were there on that initial night,” Fodor said. “Jamestown is a better, stronger community because people choose to come here, invest their energy, and help renew it. Our immigrant neighbors bring new life, new ideas, and a spirit of possibility that enriches all of us as we create more livable neighborhoods in our city.”

Journey’s End CEO Pam Kefi had similar thoughts. She said she is grateful for St. Luke’s and New Neighbors for choosing to work with her organization.

“At Journey’s End, we’re proud to be in service in this amazing community,” Kefi said. “There is a lot to celebrate when we reflect on all that has happened since the discussion started a few years back to welcome refugees in Jamestown. We were honored to have been invited to be the resettlement partner here in Jamestown.”

Journey’s End, she said, has been in the Buffalo region for 40 years which provides welcoming and support services to refugees and immigrants. Journey’s End has expanded to include offices in Ithaca, Rochester and Binghamton.

Even with the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program effectively closed, Kefi said, Journey’s End and St. Luke continues to work to meet the needs of the immigrant community in Jamestown. The agreement reaffirms our commitment to comprehensive services where Journey’s End will continue to provide case management, employment services and language access. St. Luke’s, through the coalition, will lead community outreach, volunteer engagement, and educational initiatives.

“And of course, this year, the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program came to an abrupt halt, but our work here continues with the refugees who have chosen to make Jamestown home,” Kefi said. “Our partnership with St Luke’s and the New Neighbors Coalition is more than a program. It’s a relationship built on shared purpose. We are grateful to continue this work with St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, through the New Neighbors Coalition, who have been instrumental in building this welcoming community for people seeking safety.”

For more information, contact (716) 483-6405 or email momina@stlukesjamestown.org.