A non-profit organization dedicated to serving Central New York’s refugee and New American residents is kicking off its 50th anniversary.
InterFaith Works President and CEO Chris Foley says back in 1976, faith leaders formed what was then called the Interreligious Council with a common goal.
"'You know what, we see differences. We can bridge those divides. We can use our backgrounds and our faiths to come together to provide the services that the community needs that we see that we're able to support'," Foley said.
That conviction continues today, he said, even as their work has changed and grown. Today, with no refugees entering the country or Syracuse under restrictive Trump administration policies, Foley said they’re focused on the people that are here.
“Those folks still need help finding employment. Those folks need help and assistance making sure that they're on the path to citizenship," he said. "Those folks need help with everything from making sure they're in stable housing, making sure their kids are getting into schools, making sure that they have the healthcare that they need.”
And, Foley said, treating them with the dignity they deserve. He said they remain ready to play that role in the decades ahead.
“People are interested in coming together," he said. "People are interested in having conversations to make sure that everybody, neighbors, know that, hey, we're different, and that's okay. That difference actually brings a richness to the community.”
Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens joined the celebration, and said InterFaith Works is a testament to what Syracuse stands for.
“Despite who anyone says we're supposed to be, we are Syracuse, we are united, we are diverse, and we are proud of it," she said to applause.
