CAZENOVIA — On Friday, Nov. 4, Cazenovia resident Rzgar R. Othman, 38, was sworn in as a United States citizen during a naturalization ceremony at the US District Court in Syracuse.

The Honorable Brenda K. Sannes, chief United States district judge for the Northern District of New York, presided over the ceremony.

Forty individuals from 30 countries recited the Oath of Allegiance together before stepping forward individually to receive their certificates from the judge.

Othman, who served as an interpreter with the United States Army in Iraq, was forced to flee the country with his wife and three daughters. The Othmans arrived in the US in May 2017. Just over a year later, they became the first family that Cazenovia Welcomes Refugees (CWR) helped to resettle in Cazenovia.

Othman described becoming a citizen as an awesome experience.

“I completed all the forms myself,” he said. “I recalled appearing for my naturalization interview after having studied very diligently the list of 100 questions for the civics exam. The actual part of being approved, appearing for my naturalization ceremony in [the] Syracuse courthouse, taking the oath, and getting sworn in as a newly minted citizen was very exciting. My actual emotions varied throughout the process. I’m proud to be a United States citizen.”

CWR is a community-based initiative that began in 2016 with the goal of working with people who were refugees as they integrate into American life. The organization also engages with Cazenovia residents to help create a welcoming environment for New Americans.

CWR includes representatives from multiple sectors of the community, including Cazenovia College, the Cazenovia Central School District, local faith communities, nonprofit groups, refugee resettlement organizations, civic organizations, local government, businesses, and private citizens.

The organization supports New American families by helping them identify housing options and by facilitating relationships with employers, schools and healthcare providers among other services. CWR also organizes educational events in the community, which increase awareness of the global refugee crisis and the challenges refugees face as they integrate into American communities.

CWR is supported by and works in partnership with InterFaith Works of Central New York and its Center for New Americans. The agency has provided resettlement and post-resettlement services to refugee families in the Syracuse area for over 40 years. InterFaith Works is one of only two official refugee resettlement organizations in the CNY region.

With assistance from CWR and InterFaith Works, the Othman family resettled in Cazenovia in Aug. 2018.

“The Othmans indicated they were interested in moving out of Syracuse where they were first resettled,” said Cynthia Sutton, one of the founders of CWR and a current steering committee member. “They came to visit Cazenovia, CWR introduced them to the schools and community, and they were excited to move to a welcoming village.”

Working together, CWR and Interfaith Works supported the family with housing, employment, social and medical services, a liaison to schools, and an introduction to Cazenovia resources, such as the Cazenovia Public Library’s English as a Second Language tutoring, CazCares food pantry and clothing closer, The Key consignment shop, and local grocery stores.

“The family quickly became adjusted to Cazenovia and now after [several years, they] live as an independent family needing very little support from CWR,” said Sutton. “We are fortunate to have the Othmans as our friends and neighbors.”

Othman said he and his family have enjoyed their time in Cazenovia.

“Cazenovia is a great place to live,” he said. “The schools are fantastic. Cazenovia truly has something for everyone.”

CWR committee member Carla Zimmerman, who serves as Cazenovia Public Library’s literacy coordinator, is currently helping Othman’s wife, Evan Othman, to study for her General Educational Development Test to earn a high school equivalency credential.

“She just has one more subject to go,” said Zimmerman. “She [currently] works as a school monitor.”

Both Sutton and Zimmerman attended Othman’s naturalization ceremony.

Sutton described the occasion as an emotional and very special celebration.

“It’s a huge accomplishment to obtain your citizenship for any and all refugees; Rzgar is no exception,” said Zimmerman.

With support from Interfaith Works, CWR recently resettled a second family, New Americans from Afghanistan, in Cazenovia this past July. To learn more about CWR and that resettlement, visit cazwelcomesrefugees.org.