 Appendix C
Ethiopian Community Development Council
The Ethiopian Community Development Council, Inc. (ECDC) is a non-profit community-based organization dedicated to helping resettle refugees and promote 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, ECDC serves both as a resettlement agency and as the national office for seven affiliates providing similar services in local communities around the country. Through informational and educational programs and services, 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 our national life. With funding support from ORR, ECDC provides technical and informational support to existing and emerging African community-based organizations around the nation through the African Resource Network (ARN). Most of these organizations were started 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 others who follow in their paths. ARN publishes a monthly newsletter, African Refugee NETWORK, and conducts leadership training workshops and an annual national conference on African refugees. Since receiving designation as a national resettlement agency in 1990, ECDC has welcomed and assisted more than 8,100 refugees from around the world as they began new lives in a new homeland. Of that total, 1,580 were resettled during this fiscal year, with more than 35 percent of that number enrolled in the ORR-funded Matching Grant program. More than 77 percent of those refugees achieved self-sufficiency within four months. Affiliates of ECDC who participate in the refugee resettlement program are: the African Community Refugee Center, Los Angeles, California; African Community and Refugee Center, Clarkston, Georgia.; African Community Center, Denver, Colorado; Alliance for African Assistance, San Diego, California; African Immigrant and Refugee Resource Center, San Francisco, California; Alliance for Multicultural Community Service, Houston, Texas; Betania Community Center, Phoenix, Arizona; Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; ECDC/Multicultural Community Services, Arlington, Virginia; Somali Women and Children's Association; Southern Sudan Community Association, Omaha, Nebraska; and Somali Community of Minnesota. Refugees resettled this year were from the following geographic regions: Africa 632E. Europe/Former Soviet Union 212
Latin America 4
Near East 648
Southeast Asia 84 Total 1,580 Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, is the national and worldwide arm of the organized American Jewish community for the rescue, relocation and resettlement of refugees and migrants. 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. During FY 2001, HIAS marked its 120th anniversary. Since its founding in 1880, the organization has rescued more than four and a half million people. 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 supplement these 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. HIAS World Headquarters is located at 333 Seventh Avenue (17th Floor), New York, NY 10001-5004. The HIAS website may be found at http://www.hias.org. HIAS and its member agencies resettled 7,041 refugees in FY 2001, among them 5,917 from the former Soviet Union, 877 Iranians, 189 Bosnians, and 58 Africans. Immigration and Refugee Services of America Immigration and Refugee Services of America (IRSA) is the country's oldest non-sectarian network providing assistance to immigrants, refugees, and their descendants. For more than 40 years, IRSA has worked with the U.S. Committee for Refugees (http://www.refugees.org) for the protection and assistance of refugees., asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons around the world. The IRSA network helps the foreign-born adapt to life in the U.S. through social services, community programs, and training. During 2001, IRSA and its partner agencies in 30 cities throughout the U.S. resettled 7,108 refugees from all over the world as follows: Europe 2,478
Former Soviet Union 796
Africa 2,152
Near East 1,022
Asia 242
Latin America 418 Total 7,108 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 69 years, IRC has been serving refugees in need around the world-a population now estimated at over 22.3 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. During FY 2001, the IRC resettled 8,790 refugees. Of this number, 619 were from Latin America, 2,245 were from Africa, 2,558 were from Eastern Europe, 625 were from East Asia, and 2,243 were from the Near East. 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, we are 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. Because the Bureau is also the designated State agency for post- reception and placement services funding from the DHHS' Office of Refugee Resettlement, we are able to provide an unbroken continuum of services for clients resettled by the Bureau. 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 which leads to self-sufficiency. Resettlement Statistics During FY 2001, the Bureau resettled a total of 414 refugees. The program continues to receive a positive response from communities across the State. The Bureau can be contacted at 1200 University Avenue, Suite D, Des Moines, Iowa 50314 or at www.dhs.state.ia.us/homepages/dhs/refugee. BRS Resettlement, FY 2001 Afghan 5
Bosnian 247
Congolese 3
Ethiopian 2
Iraqi 3
Liberian 13
Somali 2
Sudanese 11
Vietnamese 82
Others 1 Total 369 BRS Resettlement, FY 1975 to FY 2001 Afghan 5
Bosnian 3,086
Cambodian 368
Congolese 3
Ethiopian 2
Hmong 452
Iraqi 3
Kosovar 72
Lao 1,895
Liberian 23
Somali 2
Sudanese 11
Tai Dam 2,375
Vietnamese 3,674
Other 62 Total 12,033 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, 18 sub-offices, and countless partners and volunteers across the country. In FY 2001, LIRS resettled 5,335 refugees from Europe; 4,318 from Africa; 1,367 from the Near East; 362 from East Asia; and 243 from Latin America, for a total of 11,625. Twenty 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 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 106 diocesan refugee resettlement offices in 44 states. In FY 2001, USCCB/MRS resettled 18,133 refugees, including 274 unaccompanied refugee minors, through the Reception and Placement (R&P) program, and 3,898 Cuban and Haitian parolees through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Justice. In FY 2001, USCCB/MRS administered a total of $24,683,279 in grants funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement to provide comprehensive services to eligible refugees, parolees and asylees. In CY 2001, USCCB/MRS enrolled, as of November 1, a total of 7,031 clients in the Matching Grant program operating in 60 diocesan sites in 29 States plus the District of Columbia. Outcomes indicate that 97 percent of enrolled clients find work within 180 days. To date, $6,134,632 has been reported in matching private cash and in-kind donations, representing a 61 percent match of all Federal dollars expended to date. In FY 2001, USCCB/MRS expanded the scope of its ORR Preferred Communities grant funds to serve two special-needs refugee populations. A total of 56 refugees admitted via HIV waiver were provided intensive medical case management services in 22 diocesan resettlement programs. ORR funds supported these specialized services to 39 (70 percent) of these cases. USCCB/MRS also utilized Preferred Communities grant funds to build the diocesan network capacity to place Sudanese refugee young adults processed for resettlement from the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, Africa. ORR funds support training and coordination of culturally and linguistically appropriate case management and independent living services to 870 Sudanese youth placed in 21 diocesan resettlement programs. USCCB is one of only two national voluntary agencies with technical expertise to place and serve unaccompanied minors. In FY 2001, 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 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. The Catholic bishops of the U.S. were instrumental in persuading the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the U.S. Department of State to identify and refer for resettlement in the U.S., a substantial number of unaccompanied minors growing up in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. A delegation of bishops heightened the visibility of the plight of these children and youth in a field trip to the camp and engaged in strong advocacy on their behalf. In FY 2001, USCCB/MRS increased its capacity to place unaccompanied minors in foster care services provided by eight licensed programs for more than 249 unaccompanied Sudanese minors.Other USCCB services to children included placement and case management to some 64 unaccompanied Chinese minors released to family reunification from INS detention. In FY 2001, after some nine years of nationally administering the statewide Wilson/Fish projects in Kentucky and Nevada, USCCB/MRS successfully assisted Catholic Charities agencies in Louisville and Las Vegas, respectively, to negotiate cooperative agreements with ORR to continue providing comprehensive refugee cash and medical assistance and social services to refugees arriving in those States. USCCB/MRS further expanded this expertise through the Planning, Training and Technical Assistance grant by designing and providing training and technical assistance in several regions of the country: California, Alaska (Catholic Social Services, Diocese of Anchorage submitted a Wilson/Fish proposal for FY 2002), Alabama (Catholic Social Services will implement a Wilson/Fish project in FY 2002); and public/private partnerships in Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. World Relief World Relief is the international assistance arm of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) which represents approximately 43,000 congregations nation-wide, and also includes 250 parachurch ministries and educational institutions. As the humanitarian arm of the NAE, World Relief provides disaster and relief assistance in approximately 25 countries throughout the world. In FY 2001 World Relief resettled over 7,000 refugees and immigrants through its network of 27 resettlement sites in the U.S. Participation 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. Founded in 1944 to aid World War II victims, World Relief is now assisting self-help projects around the world. The commitment of World Relief to refugees worldwide is evidenced by both its U.S. resettlement activities and its overseas involvement. World Relief continues to work with refugees and displaced persons overseas. In the U.S., 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 addition to the Reception and Placement program, several World Relief affiliate offices receive grants and hold contracts to operate various programs serving the local refugee population, including employment services, life skills training, citizenship services, youth services and ESL classes. Most of our affiliate offices provide refugee-related immigration services, and five of the affiliate offices have accredited immigration staff. In FY 2001 ten of the affiliate offices operate a Matching Grant program. For much of FY 2001, the U.S. resettlement program of World Relief was administered through its national office in Congers, New York. However, at the end of August, the U.S. Ministries office in Congers, New York moved to Baltimore, Maryland in a consolidation of the U.S. and International offices of World Relief. Under the supervision of a senior management structure, resettlement activities are carried out through a nation-wide network of 27 resettlement sites, divided into four geographic areas with four area directors. Affiliate offices are monitored through monthly reporting, desk audits, and on-site visits. The national office also provides liaison with RCUSA, the Refugee Data Center and the International Organization for Migration. In addition, it is responsible for all pre-arrival processing, post-arrival tracking and travel loan collection. World Relief placements are made through coordination between local and national staff and are expected to include opportunity for involvement of our church constituency, favorable employment opportunities, accessibility to local service provision, coordination within the local resettlement community, and positive ethnic community support. All cases are monitored and tracked at 90 days for core services, and at 180 days for employment outcomes. From the inception of its refugee resettlement program in 1979, World Relief local offices have constructed a large network of churches, colleges, seminaries, home mission groups, and para-church organizations which together provide a broad range of support and services for refugees. In FY 2001 this included cash contributions, transitional housing, gifts-in-kind, technical assistance, public relations assistance and a variety of volunteer services. World Relief FY 2001 Arrivals Africa 1,287
East Asia 324
Eastern Europe 1,422
Former Soviet Union 3,333
Western Hemisphere 289
Near East/South Asia 1,060 Total 7,715