JCCA in Pleasantville announced the end of its program with the federal government to house unaccompanied minors seeking refugee status. The state Supreme Court in Westchester issued a preliminary injunction May 24 that stopped JCCA from operating the ORR Shelter Program at the Pleasantville campus.
“Whether it is a ‘shelter’ or ‘institutional setting for the exclusive care of Unaccompanied Children,’ it is enough of a change to reasonably trigger enforcement of the Town’s Zoning Code on behalf of its residents,” Judge Charles Wood wrote in the decision. “The Town’s interest in enforcing its code meets the irreparable injury requirement.”
JCCA filed a notice of appeal on June 18 with the state Supreme Court Appellate Division, Second Department.
“Sadly, our work with refugee children has been made increasingly difficult by decisions made by the Town of Mount Pleasant that has created barriers to supporting children who are struggling and have no one else to turn to,” JCCA said in a statement Tuesday. “Despite their resilience and strength, these young people cannot succeed without a community that welcomes and supports them.”
The Jewish Child Care Association, which has helped house orphans and other unaccompanied child refugees since the 1800s, said in a statement that the contract between the organization’s Pleasantville campus and the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement ended in early July.
The program allowed unaccompanied children under the age of 18 entering the United States without legal immigration status to receive temporary housing until they are partnered with a sponsor, usually a family member already residing in the U.S. or someone they have a proven relationship with, through the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement.
However, if the sponsorship were to fall through, JCCA would assign the minors to a trained foster family for long-term shelter and care while they navigated the legal naturalization process.
Town of Mount Pleasant ‘created barriers’ to refugee program
JCCA said children from countries such as Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, India and some African nations have been assisted through this program throughout the years.
“For more than a century, JCCA has served children in Pleasantville, including those fleeing war, persecution, and unthinkable trauma,” the organization said in a statement Tuesday. “We served children who have walked thousands of miles to escape violence, children who have endured unimaginable hardship, and children who simply want safety and a chance at a better life.”
However, the organization said that the Town of Mount Pleasant has “created barriers” to supporting the refugee program in Pleasantville.
In 2024, Mount Pleasant Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi sued JCCA in state Supreme Court, arguing that fulfilling the contract would violate the town’s zoning laws, which require the approval of the town planning board before a change in use of the site. JCCA currently operates a residential program for emotionally troubled kids on its campus, and the town argued that accepting migrant children would constitute a change in the campus’ zoning use.
JCCA to continue work in Lower Hudson Valley in New York City
While the program for unaccompanied minors has been terminated, the JCCA continues to provide foster care and housing services for nearly 17,000 at-risk youth in the Lower Hudson Valley and New York City metro area a year. The organization’s partnership with the ORR will remain active in New York City.
“JCCA remains committed to our mission of healing, caring, and advocating for young people who face the greatest hardships and struggles,” the organization said. “While this chapter in Pleasantville may be closing, our dedication to children in crisis continues.”
Other programs at JCCA include behavioral health and wellness services, educational assistance and remediation, case management and child maltreatment prevention.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Jewish Child Care Association program to house minors seeking refugee status is ending
Reporting by Alexandra Rivera and Nancy Cutler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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