UUCSR Announces $325,000 in Grants to Address Refugee Crisis on Long Island

Published July 21, 2023

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock (UUCSR), Manhasset, is pleased to announce disbursement of grants to three faith-based organizations that provide resettlement services to Humanitarian Parolees from Afghanistan and the Ukraine:


  • $200,000 to Catholic Charities of Long Island

  • $75,000 to the Community Synagogue for the project Upholding Humanity

  • $50,000 to the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph for the project Long Island Immigration Clinic

The grants were recommended by Shelter Rock’s Ad Hoc Crisis Grants Task Force. The following are funded by the congregation and are separate from UUCSR Veatch Program funding.

Catholic Charities of Long Island (CCLI): CCLI has a Refugee Resettlement Program for those who arrive on Long Island fleeing war, natural disaster, human trafficking and persecution in their countries of origin. CCLI is currently serving refugees classified as Humanitarian Parolees from Afghanistan and the Ukraine.

Upholding Humanity: Upholding Humanity is a coalition of organizations that support the resettlement of Humanitarian Parolees from Afghanistan and the Ukraine on Long Island. They include: the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock (represented by Social Justice Coordinator Claire Deroche), the Islamic Center of Long Island, the UJA Federation of New York, the American Jewish Committee of Long Island, Temple Sinai, and the Community Synagogue of Port Washington. They are currently in the process of resettling six Afghan families and three Ukrainian families locally.

Long Island Immigration Clinic (LIIC): Founded in 2021, the LIIC works to provide legal support and resettlement services to undocumented immigrants in Nassau and Suffolk counties. It is located in Brentwood on the campus of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. LIIC is currently assisting six Ukraine and Afghan families who are classified as Humanitarian Parolees.

For more information about UUCSR, please visit www.uucsr.org.

Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion committed to deeds, not creeds. UU congregations affirm and promote specific Principles, including the inherent dignity and worth of every person. There are more than 1,000 UU congregations in the United States.

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