Hundreds of people turned out for a meeting Monday about bringing refugees, likely from Syria and Iraq, to Pittsfield.Working with the federal government, Jewish Family Service is proposing to relocate 10 to 12 families totaling roughly 50 people in Pittsfield in fiscal year 2017. The first families would likely arrive in January. JFS is responsible for coordinating housing, education and employment. Deirdre Griffin, the organization’s New American Program Director, says JFS has met with city leaders in each of those subject areas.
“We need to identify probably eight to 10 small, private landlords to arrange for housing for folks who are coming,” Griffin said.
Griffin says JFS has had an initial conversation with local law enforcement. On Monday night, Griffin said the informational meeting was a way to gauge how the broader community feels about the resettlement plan. Hearing that, people in the crowd chimed in. The night’s moderator Rabbi Josh Breindel had his hands full.
“You’re going to do it whether we want you to or not,” said the woman.
“Excuse me, can we allow the presenter to finish presenting,” Breindel said. “I’m interested in what she has to say.”
“The FBI director said that they cannot vet Syrian refugees,” a man chimed in.
“Sir, could you please allow the presenter to speak,” answered Breindel.
“She’s answering other questions,” the man responded. “I have a concern. This is a one-sided conversation.”
“Yes, this is an information session,” Breindel said. “Let us be good hosts!”
One man called for open discussion with dissenting opinions. Maxine Stein, CEO of JFS of Western Massachusetts, says the organization has received support from a majority of the community in initial meetings. She says JFS will likely approach the city council with its plans and hold smaller public meetings.
“The reason that we’re here is that because the community has been encouraging overall for us to bring this forward,” said Stein.
JFS says each refugee receives $925 from the federal government. Griffin says the organization plans to hire additional staff who speak the same language as the refugees to work in Pittsfield.
“Our team has a pre-arrival component where we identify housing for someone to live, we meet them at the airport, we prepare that first meal, we work with folks in the community who might be interested in welcoming the family,” Griffin explained. “We ensure that they have food in the house, that the house is furnished – which if we’re lucky will happen through donations. Then we work to connect them to English classes, medical care, get the children enrolled in school and get them started on the road toward employment.”
With a decreasing population, an established public transit system and a relatively diverse job sector, Pittsfield makes sense as a refugee resettlement area, according to Griffin. In fact, it was for Soviet Jews in the latter 20th century.
“Communities that rise up as potential right fits for refugee resettlement are generally communities that are struggling,” Griffin said. “Because it’s when you have something like a decrease in population and an increase in available housing stock that there is that space that could be the right fit for the refugee for safety and also as leaven for the broader community.”
Griffin says of the 65 million displaced people globally, 21 million are recognized as refugees as they have fled their homes because of persecution or fear of persecution based on characteristics like race, religion or political affiliation. The Obama administration has a goal of resettling 110,000 refugees in the coming year.
The number one concern taken from audience write-ins Monday was ensuring community safety. Griffin pointed out that the United Nations and the federal government have a process for screening refugees, but acknowledged the reality that violence carried out by groups like ISIS can make its way to the U.S.
“Is there any 150 percent secure way?” Griffin said. “No. Obviously, we’re saying ‘yes’ to something that has an element of unpredictability to it.”
JFS also places refugees in and around Springfield. Refugee resettlement plans have recently divided Rutland, Vt.
