The United States will accept nearly 60,000 displaced and stateless people from countries around the world this year, hundreds of whom will come to Central New York. Monday is World Refugee Day and at YNN, it marks the start of a week-long series aimed at raising public awareness of the growing refugee population in the community. Our Kat De Maria begins the series by telling us about the process of bringing refugees to their new home.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Refugees are people who are forced from or leave their country and can't go back for fear of their life. They come from different places, backgrounds, jobs and levels of education. But most end up in camps, sometimes for years or decades. Through the United Nations and U.S. and other governments, some are sent to resettlement sites around the world, including Syracuse.

"It's kind of exciting because this is a second chance for those people. And it's a new life for them," said Felicia Castricone, director of the Refugee Resettlement Program through Catholic Charities of Onondaga County.

In Syracuse, case workers at Catholic Charities and InterFaith Works of Central New York receive a description of the person or family and their needs. Next comes the first notice of arrival, which gives them a few days or weeks to find and furnish an apartment and set up other support services. The second and final arrival notice leaves just enough time for last-minute preparations.

"Make sure the apartment is set up and the fridge is full culturally appropriate food and there's a hot meal ready for them to eat," said Helen Malina, program director of the Center for New Americans through InterFaith Works.

Finally the refugees land in their new home.

"There's probably nothing more exciting and I still can't do it without tears in my eyes, than being at the airport and saying, 'Welcome to Syracuse, Welcome to America,'" Malina said.

The directors say Syracuse is a popular resettlement site because of available affordable housing, social services and jobs, all of which the refugees have to acquaint themselves with and fast. The first step is learning about the things in the apartment, some of which they may not have ever experienced before.

"Some refugees don't know how to use a stove or aren't familiar with urban living. So we go through all of that with them," Castricone said.

Over the next days and weeks, they enroll for health care, school and social services and learn more about how to get along independently in their community.

"It happens amazingly quickly. They're extraordinarily resilient. And to say it's an honor to work with them is an understatement. They're amazing," Malina said.

After all of the appointments and the orientations are complete, the next step is for the refugees simply to enjoy getting adjusted to their new life. In our next piece, we'll introduce you to a family who's been here just a few months and share their progress and their story.

The City of Syracuse will celebrate World Refugee Day this Saturday. The day starts with a UN flag raising at City Hall. A parade to Hanover Square will feature members of several refugee communities. And from noon to four, there will be a multicultural festival of music, dance and food.

The event is coordinated by Catholic Charities, InterFaith Works and Leadership Greater Syracuse.