New York, Jan. 18th, 2021—In an effort to expand its services and provide greater community support, New York City’s RDJ Refugee Shelter announces its status as a not-for-profit organization and expands its scope to become We Are Not Afraid (WANA) Community Resource Center Inc. RDJ Shelter is the only shelter for asylum seekers and refugees in New York. Since 2017 the RDJ Refugee Shelter has led the effort to permanently resettle 127 refugees and asylum seekers in New York City and supported 2470 asylum seekers and refugees with resources such as legal support, English-as-a-second-language referral, job readiness, and psychosocial support in collaboration with other refugee and asylum seeker service providers.
The leadership of the organization has transitioned from Edafe Okporo as the Director to an Executive team that includes Ameya Biradavolu, Mary Foulke, and Edafe Okporo.
There is a sense of gratitude and resilience that I have come too far to give up now. WANA is the future. – Edafe Okporo
WANA’s mission is to provide support, advocacy and resources to people seeking safety from oppression and/or bigotry, people facing the debilitating consequences of poverty, including food insecurity, and people facing economic hardship, including housing insecurity. At the center of WANA are the most vulnerable in our community: the poor, the suffering and dispossessed, children, the elderly, single mothers, immigrants, and people of color. We work to maintain a space for people that is a safe one, where we treat differences in gender, gender presentation, sexuality, legal status, language, race, ethnicity, and religion with respect, dignity, and joyful welcome. WANA’s two primary programs are the EW Food Programs established in 1982 and the RDJ Refugee Shelter established in 2011 by St. Mary's Episcopal Church.
"Becoming a not-for-profit enables WANA to do more for these vulnerable communities. COVID has exacerbated the situation for many people - food lines are longer; asylum seekers have increased hardships - but WANA is well poised to rise to this moment. With our not-for-profit status and executive leadership, we will make strides in supporting these communities in need and advocating on their behalf." – Brian Cabezas, Board member.
Through leadership that is community-based, helmed by those who reflect the demographics WANA serves, the organization strives to establish an empathetic, impactful, and long-lasting relationship with every individual it serves.
WANA Board Chair Lisa Slocum