Our Missions
Adirondack Friends of Refugees and Immigrants
Adirondack Friends of Refugees and Immigrants (AFRI) is a designated St. John’s Church ministry to immigrants and refugees in this region of Northern New York. Founded in 2016, its work is generously funded by financial support from the church, the Rector’s Discretionary Fund, designated collection plate offerings, and proceeds from community fundraising events.
With an unremitting flow of undocumented immigrants seeking asylum in Canada at the Roxham Road border crossing north of Plattsburgh, AFRI has cooperated with Plattsburgh Cares and refugee service organizations in Albany and Canada to provide direct personal assistance to dispossessed individuals and families at the border. After desperate and often dangerous journeys from South America, Africa, Syria, Turkey, Nepal, and elsewhere, these refugees arrive at the border in terrible need of warm clothing, food, legal assistance, and housing as they await often long delayed asylum hearings in Canada.
The current closure of the Canadian border has caused those who arrive there to be turned back to an unsure future in the United States. AFRI also advocates at public meetings and rallies in support of more humane and equitable immigration policies and hosts Day Away programs for documented immigrants Burlington. For further information please visit our website: