African Refuge, Inc. is a Staten Island based organic and volunteer-driven organization with a mission to enhance the well-being of people whose hope in has been shattered due to abuse, poverty, desertion, depression, and the effect of war. To achieve our mission, we promote community engagement and facilitate access to meaningful resources and activities that promote the dignity and health of youth and families.

Description and/or History:
African Refuge was founded in 2003 when the International Trauma Studies Program (ITSP) and a group of community leaders from Staten Island met to discuss the needs of the growing population of West African refugees and immigrants in the Parkhill and Stapleton neighborhoods. The results of this meeting was the forming of a partnership to address a number of needs requiring immediate attention: the need of the refugees to overcome disenfranchisement and isolation from the surrounding communities; the need for access to critical social services and entitlement programs; the need to recognize and bring together the diverse cultures within the community; the need to identify and assist members of this community who have been victims of torture and war in their home countries, and most critically, the emerging problems of youth in the community. African Refuge has assisted more than 2,000 people with pressing needs related to housing, employment, health care, immigration, family support, academic enrichment, arts and recreational activities for youth including psycho-social services. African refuge became an independent 501(c) (3) in March of 2009.
Our mission is to improve the quality of life of underserved families, and victims of war, torture, trauma, and catastrophic circumstances through community outreach and the implementation of family and youth psychosocial programs. We aspire to create a program where the potential of young people can be developed to the fullest - a program where family and youth can be empowered to help themselves. Our goal is to promote the dignity, health, and well-being of every client that comes through our door and to strengthen their capacity to help themselves. As a result of significant progress and hard work, the organization has aided the entire community by providing services to other minority populations living in the Parkhill and Stapleton sections of Staten Island.

Contact people:

Jacob Massaquoi,II, Executive Director, (718) 701-4055, (email) Cheryl Nadeau, Medical Director, (718) 701-5576, (email) Thomas A Kamara, Office Manager, (718) 701-4055, (email)

Address:

140 Parkhill Ave Suite LB Staten Island, NY 10304 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Bus Stop: S76 , 5 minute walk