WELCOMING THE STRANGER: importance of Compassionate Refugee Resettlement

Catholic Charities Jacksonville, a local nonprofit serving people of all faiths and backgrounds, has been helping refugees from Ukraine since the war began last year. Catholic Charities works closely in partnership with the federal government and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to ensure we are up to date on how many refugees to expect at any given time. Our team has been working hard to assist refugees from not only Ukraine but many other countries over the last year. Refugees who are invited into the U.S. are grateful to escape violence and persecution, but even after overcoming challenges in their home countries, they still face significant hurdles when they arrive. These include Cultural and language barriers, Lack of necessary resources, Difficulty finding employment, Challenges in finding affordable housing, Transportation difficulties. Through the resettlement process, Catholic Charities works to ensure that each refugee family has a safe place to live, with a furnished apartment, food, and living staples waiting for them when they arrive. Then, our team picks up the refugees from the airport, serving as their first introduction to our country and our city. After helping families settle into their new homes, we also assist in connecting refugees with core services such as:

• English language classes

• Employment services

• Application for benefits

• Social security card

• Health screenings

• Plus, countless wraparound services to help refugees achieve self-sufficiency.

Our organization’s role in welcoming refugees is bigger than being a friendly face at the airport when we pick them up – our team is dedicated to giving refugees the tools they need to start fresh lives in our country and become selfsustainable, fulfilled members of our community. We connect with refugees on a personal level and work to connect them with other refugees who understand exactly what they’re going through. But we also help them get used to the many cultural differences as well as give them a safe space to share and connect with each other to talk about these differences. We have seen such an incredible outpouring of support from our community that is very heartwarming and helps reassure our refugees that they are safe, welcome, and supported here in the U.S.

WELCOMING THE STRANGER:

program (PC-Afghan) which Afghanis will receive services through this program.

The best way to make an immediate impact is through financial support so that our team can purchase the most pressing items needed for families.

Seeing these people start a new chapter of their life is the most amazing feeling. We have seen feared faces but seeing them after a while in the USA, they are different individuals. They are successful individuals with a job, a safe home, and a stable life.

We have served 429 Ukrainians for FY2022, and we have enrolled 300 Ukrainians for the FY2023, and we are planning to enroll 675 Ukrainian for FY2023. We have served 92 individuals through our Reception and Placement program for FY2022, and we will serve 200 individuals for FY2023. We have a few programs available for Refugees, Afghan Parolees, and Ukrainians Parolees, and some programs available for approved asylees only.

The programs includes Reception and Placement services, employment services, Immigration and ESOL classes. We have been granted another

We are currently taking donations both at the Catholic Charities Jacksonville regional office (40 E Adams St, #300) and at the Providence Center (134 E Church Street) Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

We are also accepting volunteers and in-kind donations. Those interested can visit CCBJax.org for more information.

Hellai Noorzai Director of Refugee and Immigration