Worcester may open 'welcome center' in response to influx of migrants, refugees
WORCESTER — City Manager Eric Batista wants to create a "welcome center" for migrants and refugees in response to the current shortage of shelter space for new arrivals to the city.
Batista broached the idea Thursday on the radio show “Talk of the Commonwealth,” where he described the welcome center as somewhere for new arrivals to “triage” and be put in contact with the necessary services and provide referrals.
The center "will serve as the first point of contact with individuals to be greeted and processed before being connected with the proper agencies who will assist with finding the individuals housing, enrolling children in school, and finding employment opportunities," said Thomas Matthews of the city manager’s office, in an email statement.
Matthews said that there were not any "concrete details at this time" regarding the welcome center, including a possible location or timetable for opening.
The welcome center is one of the solutions put forward by the Worcester New Arrivals Task Force, established earlier this month to better assist resettlement efforts in collaboration with the community in the face of the migrant shelter crisis.
On Aug. 8, Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency in the Massachusetts shelter system due to the major influx of refugees. Batista and Mayor Joseph Petty put out a joint statement shortly afterward, announcing the launch of the New Arrivals Task Force.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Mass. considers welcome center to assist migrants, refugees
