Journey's End Refugee Services, Inc.

JERS logo Journey's End Refugee Services

Mission and History

Mission Statement
Journey’s End Refugee Services, Inc. is a Christian community-based organization with the mission of welcoming refugees without regard to ethnic origin or creed and to assist them to become healthy, independent, contributing members of the community.

Purpose:

To help refugees, asylees, and victims of human trafficking access resettlement services such as housing, employment, medical treatment, educational opportunities, and other services of which they are entitled.
To offer support through friendship, necessary counseling, and appropriate spiritual resources.
To engage Western New York congregations, organizations and individuals as participants in the ministry of welcoming and assisting refugees who settle in the area.
To advocate for the fair treatment of refugees, asylees, and victims of human trafficking.
To educate the community about issues, needs, and concerns of refugees, asylees, and victims of human trafficking.

History
In 1975, a Communist group known as the Khmer Rouge came into power in Cambodia. Under the leadership of Pol Pot, they ordered the evacuation of Cambodia’s towns and cities, forcing more than 2.5 million civilians into provincial labor camps. Approximately 1.7 million Cambodians perished from starvation, exhaustion and malnutrition. Others were tortured or executed for being “enemies of the state.” When the Khmer regime was overthrown in 1979, Cambodians sought refuge in Thailand and other countries. Nearly 150,000 Cambodians sought refuge in the United States.

Deeply moved by their efforts to find a new home, Phyllis Tompkins, a member of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, initiated efforts to gather local resources for the needs of Cambodian refugees resettling in Western New York. Other local churches expressed support. The work of Journey’s End had begun, and soon Journey’s End began providing a range of services to refugees from all over the world.

In 1998, Journey’s End forged a stronger and more direct relationship with two national faith-based voluntary agencies - Church World Service and Episcopal Migration Ministries - becoming their local affiliate in Western New York. Journey’s End Refugee Services now serves 300 to 400 refugees annually.

JERS

Journey's End Refugee Services, Inc. - Making Strangers Neighbors
Tri Main Center, 2495 Main Street, Suite 317, Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 882-4963 - Fax (716) 882-4977