Utica is a City of Migration. For over 200 years, Utica, New York — a city of 60,000 — has attracted immigrants and refugees. The immigrant communities that had settled in the city included Italian, Irish, German, Polish, and Arab populations. In 1910, the foreign-born population of Utica constituted 28.6% of the city's population, but by 1990 it had declined to 5.4%. Utica experienced a sharp population decline from 100,410 in 1960 to 60,651 in 2000.
The Center grew out of the inspiration of Roberta Douglas, whose concern for Amerasian children led her to work with refugees. Her efforts began with the resettlement of a single Vietnamese man through Catholic Charities in Syracuse. With the assistance of Roberta’s husband, a group of local clergy, the Superintendent of Utica Schools, the Oneida County Executive, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, The Center was officially established in 1979 and incorporated in 1981 under the name Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees with Roberta Douglas as the first Executive Director.
There are many refugees and immigrants that also move to Utica because they hear about how welcoming the city is and what great services are available here. Living is also affordable and the environment is great for raising families.