2025 CDS Annual Conference

For the past 10 years I’ve been deeply involved in helping refugees and other new immigrants who resettle in the New York City area.   This work has been through my job as Church Administrator at Rutgers Presbyterian Church in New York City.   We’ve co-sponsored several families; have a partnership with a synagogue that has helped find jobs for 236 refugees and asylees from more than 40 countries.  We host weekly clinics that help immigrants prepare and file applications for asylum and work authorization.  And we  give money to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and overseas that help refugees. The church also supports my volunteer work as Chair of the Board of Welcome Home, a community-based organization that helps several hundred refugees who have resettled in Jersey City, New Jersey across the river from Manhattan through direct service, cultural connection, and advocacy.  Earlier, I worked in international development for many years and I’m trained as a city planner.I attended my first CDS annual conference last year, and enjoyed talking with others about the various meanings and applications of community development approaches.  This year I'm exploring how community development theory and practice can help make refugee resettlement more successful.  I'll present my thinking in a session on Tuesday morning at 8:30, and I'm pleased that Steve Jeanetta and Caitlin Bletscher will respond with their comments and suggestions.  I'd like to connect with others who may have an interest in this topic.