 Appendix C
Resettlement Agency Reports
(The following reports were prepared by the Voluntary Resettlement Agencies.
Each report expresses the judgments or opinions of the individual agency reporting.)
The Immigration and Refugee Program (IRP) is the largest program of Church World Service, Inc (CWS). Church World Service is involved in relief, social and economic development, and education and advocacy, and operates in over 70 countries around the world. CWS/IRP holds a contract with the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration to provide refugee-processing services in Sub-Saharan Africa through its two overseas processing entities in Nairobi, Kenya and Accra, Ghana.
CWS/IRP is unique among voluntary agencies in that ten national Protestant denominations partner with us in the resettlement of refugees. Through our partnerships with national denominations and local congregations, CWS/IRP cases often have easy access to a wide array of community services, including pro-bono medical services, low-cost housing, and a volunteer network of transportation providers. CWS/IRP national program and policy are designed by the Immigration and Refugee Program Committee (IRPCOM), which is composed of representatives from each of the following communions: American Baptist Churches USA, the Southern Baptist Convention, the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church USA, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church of the Brethren, the Episcopal Church, Christian Reformed Church, Reformed Church of America, and the United Church of Christ.
CWS/IRP operates through a national network of 28 affiliates and 18 sub-offices located in 23 States. Affiliate partners are independent, ecumenical, community-based organizations that organize sponsorships, community resources and deliver refugee services as part of their commitment to CWS/IRP refugees in their respective resettlement areas. They range in size and scope from refugee service units of local interfaith councils to large multi-service agencies that provide wide-ranging services to many segments of the refugee, asylee and immigrant populations. Through CWS/IRP and the national denominations’ involvement in refugee and immigrant issues, the affiliate network is uniquely qualified to see the larger context of their work, realize resettlements that are firmly rooted in the community, and provide access to programs that address needs beyond the requirements of the cooperative agreement with the Department of State.
In FY 2002, CWS/IRP resettled almost 2,254 refugees through its affiliate networks. Additionally, CWS/IRP assisted with the primary and secondary resettlement of 2,769 Cuban and Haitian clients.
FY 2002 Refugee Resettlement
| Africa | 303 |
| E. Europe/Former Soviet Union | 1,226 |
| Latin America | 137 |
| Near East | 222 |
| Southeast Asia | 366 |
| Total | 2,254 |
FY 2002 Entrant Resettlement
| Cuba | 2,444 |
| Haiti | 325 |
| Total | 2,769 |
Episcopal Migration Ministries
Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), a program of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church, serves refugees, immigrants and displaced persons both domestically and internationally. EMM operates a national resettlement program through 26 diocesan programs in 33 locations that agree to organize parish sponsorships and community resources as part of their commitment to ensure the provision of reception and placement services to refugees. Programs range in size and scope from multi-service centers in major urban areas to smaller diocesan programs and refugee ministry units of state councils of churches. In FY 2002, EMM resettled 1,059 refugees from the following regions:| Africa | 117 |
| E. Europe/ Soviet Union | 535 |
| Latin America | 140 |
| Near East | 113 |
| Southeast Asia | 154 |
| Total | 1,059 |
EMM enrolls over 50 percent of its annual refugee caseload in the ORR-funded Matching Grant program, with asylees becoming an increasing percentage of EMM’s overall Matching Grant caseload. Special grants from the Office of Refugee Resettlement enable EMM affiliates to provide enhanced resettlement services to HIV+ refugees and young Sudanese men from the Kakuma camp in Kenya. Several EMM sites with substantial resettlement potential have enhanced their resettlement capacity with ORR discretionary grants.
EMM links the Episcopal Church with the worldwide Anglican Communion in responding to refugee crises internationally and represents the Church in advancing the need for safe and humane treatment of all forcibly displaced persons.
Ethiopian Community Development Council
The Ethiopian Community Development Council, Inc. (ECDC) is a non-profit community-based organization dedicated to helping refugees achieve successful resettlement in a new homeland and providing cultural, educational and socio-economic development programs in the refugee and immigrant community. ECDC also conducts humanitarian and socio-economic development programs in the Horn of Africa.
With headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, the ECDC serves both as a resettlement agency and as the national office for 10 affiliates providing comprehensive resettlement services in local communities around the country. Through informational and educational programs and services, the ECDC seeks to generate greater public awareness of the needs of uprooted people around the world and to enhance appreciation for the contributions that refugee newcomers make to the U.S.
ECDC affiliates are: Betania Community Center, Phoenix, Arizona; African Community Resource Center, Los Angeles, California; Alliance for African Assistance, San Diego, California; African Community Center of Denver, Colorado; African Community and Refugee Center, Inc.; Clarkston, Georgia; Alliance for Multicultural Community Service, Houston, Texas; Ethiopian Community Association, Chicago, Illinois; ECDC/ Multicultural Community Services, Arlington, Virginia; Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center, Boston, Massachusetts; African Community Center, Las Vegas, Nevada; and Southern Sudan Community Association, Omaha, Nebraska.
Four of these sites—Omaha, Phoenix, Houston and San Diego—are receiving ORR funding support through the Preferred Communities program. Four other sites are participating in ORR’s Ethnic Self-help program. They include community strengthening activities through the African RefugeeServices in St Louis, Missouri; an Ethiopian youth mentoring program through the Ethiopian Community of Atlanta; and an African youth leadershipdevelopment through ECDC’s branch office in Washington, D.C.
In FY 2002, ECDC resettled 633 refugees from the following regions:
| Africa | 132 |
| Europe | 153 |
| East Asia | 141 |
| Latin America | 35 |
| Near East | 172 |
| Total | 633 |
About one-third of newly arriving refugees in recent years have enrolled in the ORR-funded Matching Grant program, with nearly 80 percent achieving self-sufficiency within four months.
Among those receiving support through ORR’s Special Populations program this fiscal year were the Sudanese youth commonly referred to as “the Lost Boys of Sudan.” Funding through ECDC enabled seven sites—Arlington, Omaha, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Denver and Phoenix—to develop specialized services to enhance their assimilation and accelerate their progress toward self-sufficiency. A special grant facilitated a four-day Sudanese Youth Reunion in August 2002 where 224 participants renewed friendships developed during their long stay in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya; shared experiences and impressions of their new lives in America; garnered additional information support on such subjects as personal finance, literacy, and college admissions requirements; and learned more about the history, culture and values of their new homeland.
With funding support from ORR’s Ethnic Community Organization initiative, ECDC also provides technical and informational support to existing and emerging African community-based organizations through the African Resource Network (ARN). Most of these organizations were established by former refugees who experienced first-hand the difficulties of adjusting to a new culture, benefited from available public and private support systems, and now extend similar assistance to those just embarking on a life-changing journey they know so well. The ARN publishes a monthly newsletter, African Refugee Network, and conducts leadership training workshops and an annual national conference on African refugees.
The ECDC Enterprise Development Group (EDG), through the ORR-Microenterprise Development Program, disbursed 16 loans totaling $286,000 to entrepreneurs in the Washington, D.C. area; provided training and pre-loan business assistance to 35 individuals, and post-loan technical assistance to 36 clients. Through the ORR-funded Individual Development Account program, EDG served 213 clients this fiscal year with savings and match grant commitments totaling $876,000.
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), is the national and worldwide arm of the organized American Jewish community for the rescue, relocation and resettlement of refugees and migrants. Since its founding in 1880, the organization has rescued more than four and a half million people. HIAS works closely with Jewish Federations, Jewish Family Service and Jewish Vocational Service agencies across the nation to maintain an extensive cooperative network committed to providing the broadest possible spectrum of professionally staffed resettlement services.
All HIAS affiliates receive Reception and Placement grant funds to assist in meeting the needs of refugees in their initial phase of resettlement. Many HIAS affiliates also elect to supplementthese services with private funding and other resources, enabling them to participate in the ORR Matching Grant program as a way of further enhancing their ability to assist refugees to attain economic and social self-sufficiency. Several HIAS sites have also been awarded Preferred Communities funding to help HIAS diversify its caseload.
HIAS World Headquarters is located at 333 Seventh Avenue (17th Floor), New York, NY 10001-5004. The HIAS web site may be found at http://www.hias.org.
HIAS and its member agencies resettled 2,925 refugees in FY 2002, among them 2,294 from the former Soviet Union, 512 Iranians, 71 Bosnians, 35 Montagnards, 11 Africans and 2 Kosovars.
Immigration and Refugee Services of America
Immigration and Refugee Services of America (IRSA) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that has served refugees and immigrants since 1911. IRSA supports a network of 37 social service agencies and full membership in our communities. Through the Sudanese Youth Project, IRSA and six of its local partner agencies provide enhanced case management and mentoring to more than 400 recently resettled Sudanese “lost boys.” IRSA’s National Alliance for Multicultural Mental Health strengthens the ability of resettlement agencies and mainstream mental health providers to respond to refugees’ mental health care needs and to address the special adjustment issues of refugee children and women and elderly refugees.
Through its public information and advocacy arm, the U.S. Committee for Refugees (USCR), IRSA defends the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons worldwide. IRSA/USCR publishes the annual World Refugee Survey, the most authoritative sources of information on worldwide refugee issues.
During 2002, IRSA and its partner agencies in 30 cities throughout the U.S. resettled 7,108 refugees from all over the world as follows:
| Europe | 753 |
| Former Soviet Union | 328 |
| Africa | 277 |
| Near East | 301 |
| Asia | 201 |
| Latin America | 243 |
| Total | 2,112 |
IRSA’s headquarters is at 1717 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20036. E-mail can be sent to irsa@irsa-uscr.org.
International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) was founded, at the request of Albert Einstein, in 1933 to help refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. For the past 70 years, IRC has been serving refugees in need around the world—a population now estimated at over 22 million, the majority of whom are women and children. IRC helps victims of racial, religious, and ethnic persecution and strife to rebuild their shattered lives. IRC resettles approximately 13 percent of the total number of refugees admitted to the U.S. each year. IRC is unique as a resettlement agency because of its significant international programs’ component. Refugees are served by the IRC through life-saving programs in countries of first asylum through resettlement for those approved for admission to the U.S.
The IRC resettles refugees in 20 cities throughout the U.S. Aside from its core resettlement services, the IRC provides numerous enhanced programs. These include employment programs, services to refugees with special needs, school-readiness and after- school programs, and other service designed to assist refugees to move rapidly towards self-sufficiency.
During FY 2002, the IRC resettled 2,874 refugees. Of this number, 383 were from Africa, 428 were from East Asia, 564 were from Eastern Europe, 411 were from Latin America, 550 were from the Near East and 538 were from Former Soviet Union.
Iowa Department of Human Services
Bureau of Refugee Services’ Mission
The State of Iowa’s refugee resettlement program, in existence since 1975, continues to grow to more appropriately meet the needs of refugees from around the world. As a part of State government and representing the people of Iowa, the State is committed to helping victims of persecution rebuild their lives.
The Bureau of Refugee Services’ mission is to offer a home and a future for victims of persecution while helping them become self-sufficient. This enriches our State through the sharing of talents, skills and culture.
Originally, the Bureau’s interest was Indochinese refugee resettlement. However, efforts are now focused on resettling an increasingly diverse refugee population, with a new emphasis on refugees from Africa.
BRS Organization
The Bureau of Refugee Services resettlement model is based upon a team environment which encompasses the following areas: job development and placement, translation and interpretation, case management, core reception and placement activities, sponsor and resource recruitment, social adjustment, and administration. Iowa’s State Coordinator for Refugee Affairs is Ms. Jessie K. Rasmussen, Director of the Department of Human Services. The Deputy Coordinator and Program Manager is Mr. Wayne Johnson, Chief of the Bureau of Refugee Services.
Iowa’s resettlement model is unique. The Bureau of Refugee Services’ initial involvement with refugee clients is via the Department of State Reception and Placement program. Iowa is the only State with this designation. Because the Bureau is also the designated State agency for post-reception and placement services funding from the DHHS’ Office of Refugee Resettlement, Iowa is able to provide an unbroken continuum of services for clients resettled by the Bureau as well as on-going services for secondary migrants and other refugees beyond their resettlement and Matching Grant periods.
Iowa’s Bureau of Refugee Services conducts initial resettlement efforts from its headquarters located in Des Moines, Iowa and also from two sub-offices in Davenport, Iowa and Sioux City, Iowa.
Resettlement Efforts
A continuing philosophy that refugees need to become self-sufficient as quickly as possible is core to resettlement for the Bureau.
Emphasis is on early placement of refugees in jobs, as this promotes economic independence, generates tax income and helps local economies. Use of welfare-type assistance is discouraged, except in emergency situations or as temporary support while the refugees work towards self-sufficiency.
Resettlement Statistics
During FY 2002, the Bureau resettled a total of 158 refugees. The program continues to receive a positive response from communities across the State.
The Bureau can be contacted by mail at 1200 University Avenue, Suite D, Des Moines, Iowa 50314, by phone at (515) 283-7904, or on the Internet at www.dhs.state.ia.us/refugee.
BRS Resettlement, FY 2002
| Afghan | 5 |
| Bosnian | 77 |
| Iraqi | 2 |
| Liberian | 1 |
| Somali | 4 |
| Sudanese | 9 |
| Vietnamese | 59 |
| Others | 1 |
| Total | 158 |
BRS Resettlement, FY 1975 to FY 2002
| Afghan | 10 |
| Bosnian | 3,163 |
| Cambodian | 368 |
| Congolese | 3 |
| Ethiopian | 2 |
| Hmong | 452 |
| Iraqi | 5 |
| Kosovar | 72 |
| Lao | 1,895 |
| Liberian | 24 |
| Somali | 6 |
| Sudanese | 20 |
| Tai Dam | 2,375 |
| Vietnamese | 3,733 |
| Other | 62 |
| Total | 12,190 |
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) was organized in 1939 to assist WWII refugee survivors to rebuild their lives in the United States and is now the largest Protestant resettlement agency in the U.S. Over the years, the agency has grown to include immigration services, children's services, and advocacy for refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers and those in immigration detention through 27 affiliate offices, 15 sub-offices, and countless partners and volunteers across the country.
In FY 2002, LIRS resettled 2,803 refugees from Europe; 577 from Africa; 469 from the Near East; 515 from East Asia; and 138 from Latin America, for a total of 4,502. Twenty-two LIRS affiliates participate in the Matching Grant Program and sixteen are Preferred Community sites. LIRS also manages the ORR-funded RefugeeWorks project, a national refugee employment-training program.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is the public policy and social action agency of the Roman Catholic bishops in the United States. Within the USCCB, the Office of Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) is the lead office responsible for developing Conference policy at both international and national levels that addresses the needs and conditions of immigrants, refugees, migrants, and people on the move. MRS assists local churches and specialized ethnic apostolates in responding to the pastoral needs of these populations, aiding in the development and nurturing of a welcoming and supportive Church in the United States.
MRS works with the Federal government and local churches to resettle refugees admitted to the U.S. into caring and supportive communities in 105 diocesan refugee resettlement offices in 43 states and the District of Columbia. In FY 2002, the USCCB/MRS resettled 5,911 refugees, including 12 unaccompanied refugee minors, through the Reception and Placement (R&P) program, and 2,879 Cuban and Haitian parolees through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Justice.
In FY 2002, the USCCB/MRS administered a total of $19,277,812 in grants funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement to provide comprehensive services to eligible refugees, parolees and asylees. In CY 2002, the USCCB/MRS enrolled a total of 6,231 clients in the Matching Grant program operating in 66 diocesan sites in 30 States plus the District of Columbia. Outcomes indicate that 90percent of enrolled clients find work within 180 days. To date, $6,835,659 has been reported in matching private donations, representing a 65 percent match of all Federal dollars expended to date.
In FY 2002, the USCCB/MRS expanded the scope of its ORR Preferred Communities grant funds to serve two special-needs refugee populations. A total of eleven refugees admitted via HIV waiver were provided intensive medical case managementservices in seven diocesan resettlement programs. ORR funds supported these specialized services to two-thirds of these cases and continued to provide services to more than 30 refugees admitted in 2001. the USCCB/MRS also utilized Preferred Communities grant funds to provide support to the Sudanese refugee young adults processed for resettlement from the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, Africa, by providing training and coordination of culturally and linguistically appropriate case management and independent living services to 870 Sudanese youth placed in 21 diocesan resettlement programs. Five USCCB/MRS free case sites used Preferred Communities funding to develop increased community support and capacity to assist newly-arriving refugees to achieve self-sufficiency. Despite continuing reduced arrivals during FY 2002, these sites served more than 300 refugees.
The USCCB is one of only two national voluntary agencies with technical expertise to place and serve unaccompanied minors. In FY 2001, the USCCB expanded its Children’s Services expertise by entering into a cooperative agreement with ORR, in conjunction with the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, to implement a national technical assistance program designed to address problems faced by refugee youth and children. Bridging Refugee Youth and Children’s Resources (BRYCS) is a three-year project established to provide technical assistance on local and national levels. BRYCS works collaboratively in three pilot communities to support mainstream child welfare service providers, refugee service providers, and refugee community associations in strengthening their capacities to effectively serve refugee youth and children. BYRCS is developing an online clearinghouse on refugee youth and child welfare with a wide range of resources as well as community-based programs that benefit refugee families. In addition, BRYCS develops resource materials on topics such as parenting and guardianship for refugee minors, and conducts trainings and presentations for a variety of service providers.
In FY 2002, another delegation of Bishops continued advocacy on behalf of unaccompanied children in Africa by visiting camps in both west and east Africa to advocate for appropriate durable solutions for the thousands of unaccompanied children in those areas. Staff members from USCCB are assisting the work of UNHCR in Ethiopia to analyze the needs of unaccompanied refugee children in camps in that country. Other USCCB services to children included placement and case management to unaccompanied minors released to family reunification from INS detention.
Four state-wide Wilson/Fish programs continue to operate in Alabama, Alaska, Kentucky, and Nevada. San Diego County Catholic Charities has converted its alternative project to a Wilson/Fish program. While all sites are funded directly by ORR, USCCB/MRS continues to collaborate with these programs in providing technical assistance and continued refugee placement.
World Relief
World Relief is the international assistance arm of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), which represents approximately 43,000 congregations nationwide, as well as 250 para-church ministries and educational institutions. Committed to alleviating human suffering worldwide, World Relief works in partnership with churches, volunteers, and community organizations in approximately 25 countries throughout the world. Founded in 1944 to aid post- World War II victims, World Relief now implements a variety of programs, including AIDS education, child survival and maternal health, micro enterprise development, agricultural development, and disaster response. The commitment of World Relief to refugees worldwide is evidenced by both its US resettlement activities and its work with refugees and displaced persons overseas.
In the US, World Relief participates with the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) in the resettlement of refugees from all processing posts around the world. In FY2003 World Relief resettled 4476 refugees through its network of 27 resettlement sites in the US. Since the inception of its refugee resettlement program in 1979, World Relief has resettled over 190,000 refugees in the US. Involvement in the resettlement of refugees is viewed as an extension of World Relief s mandate to empower the local evangelical church to minister to those in need.
In addition to the Reception and Placement program, World Relief’s US affiliate offices conduct a variety of programs serving the local refugee and immigrant population, including employment services, ESL classes, life skills training, immigration legal services, and youth programs. In FY 2003, ten affiliate offices participated in the ORR Matching Grant program. Partnership with local churches is a primary focus of all World Relief programs. Affiliate offices have built a large network of churches, colleges, seminaries, home mission groups, and para-church organizations that together provide a broad range of support and services for refugees and immigrants. In FY 2003 this included cash contributions, transitional housing, donated goods, technical assistance, public relations assistance and a variety of volunteer services.
| Africa | 926 |
| E. Europe | 221 |
| Former Soviet Union | 2,848 |
| Latin America | 30 |
| Near East | 305 |
| East Asia | 146 |
| Total | 4,476 |
World Relief’s headquarters office is at 7 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21202. The website can be found at http://www.worldrelief.org/.