How to Support Asylum Seekers in New York

Updated October 30, 2023.

The Hearts & Homes for Refugees (HHR) mission mandates that we assist those with status as refugees, asylees, or humanitarian parolees who have been screened and documented through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. We fully recognize the human and legal right to seek asylum and therefore direct asylum seekers and those interested in supporting them to the community organizations whose missions are built around supporting asylum seekers.

Since last May, 126,000 asylum seekers from 18 different countries have arrived in New York. 60,000 of those that have arrived are currently in NYC shelters. 2,200 are located across upstate NY in hotels, and 400 are in Westchester County hotels run by private contractors (WestHab and DotGo) in coordination with the County government.

The vast majority of those that have arrived, primarily from Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, did so legally by presenting themselves at a port of entry requesting asylum. This is different from undocumented status.

Westchester County

  • Neighbors Link is providing all three Westchester County shelters with legal services and ESL support. They are currently serving 405 clients with legal clinics, consultations and help with applications. If you are interested in providing pro bono legal assistance, click here.

  • Diapers, formula and pacifiers are the only items that need to be donated at Plaza Esperanza. Contact Hazel.Benavides@westhab.org with donation inquiries.

  • The two other temporary shelters are in need of coats and boots, particularly for children under 4. Infant items, and toys for playrooms that will be set up during the winter, are also needed. Donations are run by United Way of Westchester and Putnam. Use this link for donation inquiries.

  • Feeding Westchester is opening a food pantry at the White Plains shelter and will need canned soup and fresh fruit. They also have volunteer opportunities.

  • If you have any information on available day jobs, even small jobs needed at your home, please reach out to Catholic Charities Day Laborer Center in Yonkers at 914-363-6048. You can also reach out to Lucia Goyen at lucia.goyen@catholiccharitiesny.org.

  • Community Resource Center in Mamaroneck is serving 243 people mostly from Guatemala, Colombia, and Venezuela. Their focus is on those in Mamaroneck and New Rochelle not connected to the shelters. Click here to volunteer.

  • Child Care Council of Westchester has an evolving understanding of child care assistance and eligibility in Westchester. Head Start provides childcare with no work requirement Workforce Development Institute received funds to open up child care for those without immigrant status.

  • Make the Road is supporting the shelter in Yonkers with cell phones, asylum rights courses, literacy support, and health insurance enrollment. To volunteer, click here.

  • If you are a part of an organization looking to get involved to assist asylum seekers as they settle in, you are welcomed to fill out this form.

New York City

For Individuals:

  • VERY GENTLY USED CLOTHING NEEDED FOR DONATION. Bring to Temple Shaaray Tefila (250 East 79th Street) ONLY at the following dates and times:

    Wednesday, November 8th: 3:00-8:00pm; Wednesday, November 15th: 1:00-6:00pm; Thursday, November 16th: 12:00-5:00pm; Sunday, November 19th (Day of Service): 10:00am-2:00pm; Please ONLY donate the following: SIZES NEEDED: **MEN AND WOMEN: ONLY Sizes X-Small, Small, or Medium** **CHILDREN: ONLY Ages 4-14 years** Winter jackets; Hats, scarves, gloves Sweatpants (with elastic waist) Sweatshirts; Sweaters; T-Shirts (short- and long-sleeved) Jeans; Sneakers; Flat (no heels) shoes; Boots.

  • JCC is accepting winter clothing donations for children to be dropped off at Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan lobby located at 334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th st. until October 27th. They will be collecting children’s books from Nov 27 - Dec 1.

  • Starting October 27, Team TLC NYC will be doing clothing distributions EVERY Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the offices of Repair the World in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. They need volunteers to staff those distributions.

  • AFRIKANA, INC, is a resource center in Harlem that assists migrants. They are in need of volunteers Monday - Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm at 685 Lenox Avenue. Sign up here. Show up with a computer and computer charger, and be ready to work for two to four hours. You can contact 929-227-5493 with questions.

  • Helping Hands, in partnership with Metro Baptist Church and The Legal Aid Society provides legal/shelter/HRA benefits and health insurance support; food and activities (cooking classes, games, ESL, etc.). Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. –4:00p.m. at Metro Baptist Church, 410 West 40th Street (behind Port Authority Bus Terminal). Click here to sign up for volunteer opportunities. To assist with Employment Authorization Document applications, sign up here. If you have additional questions, contact volunteers@immigrantarc.org.

  • To volunteer to tutor children on a weekly basis with JCC at PS 75 (735 West End Ave) or PS163 (163 W 97th St)., click here.

  • Open Hearts Initiative has launched a fundraiser for metro cards for the shelter guests at Sunset Park Rec Center. To learn more and donate, click here.

  • Make the Roads New York is taking donations for school supplies for our new neighbors.

  • For information on monetary and in-kind donations, visit Support Asylum Seekers at nyc.gov.

For organizations and houses of worship:

  • NYDIS’ Emergency Shelter Network, in partnership with NYC, will fund 50 shelters in houses of worship or faith-based spaces, of any faith tradition, to operate 19 bed shelters for single adult men over the next 12-24 months. Shelters must be open 365 days per year from 7PM to 7AM. For more details on shelters, read this flyer. To learn about opening a hospitality center, read this flyer. If your institution is interested, please reach out to Brennan Brink of the Interfaith Center/Emergency Shelter Network at bbrink@nydis.org.

  • CBST Ark Immigration Clinic reports that more and more immigration court hearings are being scheduled as "internet-based hearings" through video conferencing. The Ark at CBST and our partner organizations are looking for congregations that might be able to offer their physical space, Wi-Fi, and computers for asylum seekers to be able to join immigration court hearings. These hearings are typically between 8:00AM an 1:00PM. Contact Noah at nhabeeb@cbst.org if your community is willing to assist.

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