JFS Expands Our HIAS Relationship

In November 2022, JFS shared that the agency returned to its roots and became a permanent Reception & Placement (R&P) agency working in partnership with HIAS, the Global Jewish Organization for Refugees. HIAS is a nonprofit that provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers while advocating for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

As a permanent R&P agency, JFS will serve hundreds of refugees from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Sudan, and Latin America.

For Ukrainians trying to flee atrocities and come to Colorado to rebuild their lives, their process is different than those resettling from other countries. Ukrainians must first be sponsored before coming to the United States. Now, JFS will help five sponsored families as part of the HIAS Preferred Communities program.

As a Preferred Community Partner, JFS will provide case management services for these Ukrainians, who are sponsored by a local attorney whose family was resettled by HIAS many years ago.

JFS case managers will lead and help guide the sponsor group with support around initiating travel to Colorado, searching for housing, providing legal documents, assisting with core services like getting Social Security cards and identification, and more. Sponsored individuals and families will also have access to JFS’s Employment Services team.

As an R&P agency, JFS provides a full suite of programs and services to resettled refugees. As a Preferred Community Partner, JFS will take more of a hybrid approach to helping, alongside one sponsor group, to integrate relocated families and individuals to our state—and that’s exciting news to share.