Stand Up for Our Most Vulnerable Communities!

• Unaccompanied children come to the United States alone, without a parent or legal guardian. Many have been victims of severe abuse, neglect, or violence, and have legal pathways available to remain in the country based on their circumstances.
• The program is vital for ensuring these children receive legal services including know your rights, legal screenings, and representation while efforts are made to reunite them with family members or other sponsors in the US.
• Without these legal services, children are left to face an overwhelming and often incomprehensible legal system alone. Many will be unable to present their cases effectively, potentially leading to deportation, detention, or separation from family members. No child should stand alone. Urge Congress to restore funding to the Unaccompanied Children Program to fund legal services that ensure each child’s safety and wellbeing.

USDA cut over $1 million of funding to the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative program that allowed food banks and food pantries to purchase produce and dairy from local farmers, straining local economies.

Over 1,700 of our neighbors are facing food insecurity, struggling to put enough food on their tables, and relying on the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry, like Shirley.

• Pennsylvania received over $36 million of this funding last year and was set to receive another $35 million in 2025.
• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank reports spending around $130,000 each month on local produce that it distributes to area food pantries and individuals.
  • The USDA funding is used to purchase around 2 million pounds of eggs, dairy, and other fresh produce from local farmers each year.
• JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry so far in 2025 has purchased 3,552 pounds of dairy and 6,999 pounds of produce from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank through their USDA program.
• Call your representatives and encourage them to prioritize the continuation of funding this essential program.

As a result of a series of federal changes, no new refugees have entered the U.S. since January, contracts that fund services to support refugees already living in the U.S. were terminated on February 26th, and the program is in the process of being dismantled.

In these uncertain times, we have a moral obligation to support immigrants and refugees in our community. Their journeys are often filled with challenges and uncertainties, but organizations like JFCS make a meaningful difference.

One immigrant from Kazakhstan shared, “Moving to another country is a challenging journey, full of uncertainties, but thanks to JFCS, this process has become easier and more understandable. Your advice, patience, and sincere involvement have helped my family and me navigate difficulties, embrace a new culture, and feel more confident.

Facts about the termination of the Refugee Resettlement Program:

• The refugee resettlement program has had bipartisan support and provides life-saving assistance to individuals fleeing violence, persecution, and war, offering them a chance for safety and a new beginning in the U.S.
• The program fosters cultural diversity and enriches the Pittsburgh region by contributing skilled labor, entrepreneurial spirit, and community engagement.
• As of March 25, 2025, a legal injunction stated that contracts must be reinstated. Despite the legal injunction, the future of the refugee resettlement program remains uncertain, with no clear timeline for its continuation.
• This is having a devastating impact on refugee families, the organizations that support them in building a new life, and our community. Urge Congress to restore this vital program.
• Your support will help us continue to support immigrants to find homes, enroll their children in school, learn English, find jobs, get legal assistance, and integrate into our local community. Donate today by clicking here.