ALBANY, N.Y. – Senator Patricia Fahy announced today that a $50,000 operating funds grant secured through her office was awarded to the Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus in Albany. Refugee & Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE) was founded in 2007 to assist refugees fleeing from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The initial goal was to help these refugees find housing, jobs, and resources and to advance their education. An after-school program was established for children; then came English as a New Language (ENL) classes for adults.

Volunteers, many of them immigrants and members of the Emmaus United Methodist Church in Albany, played a key role in the early success of RISSE, led by then-pastor Reverend Denise Stringer. An early partnership with The College of Saint Rose and its art education, counseling, literacy, and community service programs provided expertise and volunteers that supported the growth of RISSE services. Supported by this funding, RISSE will continue to provide a wide range of programs for newcomers and their families including classes for all ages, immigration and employment support, after school programming, and legal assistance.

“RISSE’s role in the Capital Region cannot be overstated,” said Senator Patricia Fahy (D—Albany). “I am proud to secure this funding that will allow RISSE to provide crucial support to refugees and immigrants in Albany at a time where our constitutional rights are at risk now more than ever and our communities are under attack. RISSE will continue to assist newcomers and families in finding their place here in Albany and the Capital Region, offer after-school programming and tutoring to our young people, and build bridges in our community. As the federal government continues to stoke fear and utilize paramilitary secret police tactics, we know that our communities and neighborhoods are made stronger by immigrants, their contributions, and when they are able to interact with our institutions without fear.”

More information about RISSE can be found on their website. Those interested in RISSE’s services and programming may contact them at info@risse-albany.org or (518) 621-1041.

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