Lydia Glenn

News Editor

lmg5921@psu.edu

Erie exemplifies “diversity” and “inclusion” with the increasing number of refugees and immigrants. 

With the ever-increasing influx of diverse people, Erie has received a new grant of $100,000 from the Open Society Foundations to support efforts to meet the needs of new Afghan refugees who want to settle in Erie. 

Mayor Joe Schember stated, “In the spirit of welcoming all immigrants and refugees, I am pleased to announce that the City of Erie will receive a new grant of $100,000 from the Open Society Foundation. These funds will support our efforts to welcome Afghan arrivals to Erie. It is our wonderful diversity that we treasure deeply and are constantly trying to grow.”

A local agency which was formerly known as the International Institute, now called the U.S. The Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, will receive some of this funding. 

The Director for the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Dylanna Grasinger said, “The money is meant to broaden volunteer bases and provide support to the Afghans who have come into the community to look at that. Both agencies are using it a little bit differently, but volunteering is really the thrust of it and what we are looking to do.”

Catholic Charities of Erie will also receive a portion of this grant to help the agency welcome more refugees. 

Grasigner told the press that the two agencies together have resettled hundreds of immigrants in the last five months. She also said that these funds will provide much needed relief and allow the agency to continue their work. 

Grasinger stated that they want to “expand with landlords and local employers and really, kind of, make sure that we have those safety nets to make Erie a long-term, welcoming community.” 

Niken Astaru Carpenter, the New American Liaison for the City of Erie said that this funding will further Erie’s commitment to help immigrants and refugees settle.

She stated, “Now, we have the Afghans coming here, so it’s part of the City’s vision for Erie. The first line is that Erie welcomes rich, cultural diversity here. We want everyone here to feel welcome.”