At the Catherine McAuley Center, refugees and immigrants are welcomed home, where they find the resources to navigate life in their new community, and the support to thrive in the United States.
Refugee & Immigrant Services (RIS) provides new populations with opportunities and support to integrate into the community and adjust to life in the United States.
RIS provides refugee resettlement services as an affiliate of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), and a wide range of educational and supportive programs that help refugees and immigrants become self-sufficient.
RIS supports more than 500 refugees and immigrants from over 55 countries each year. This year, the Catherine McAuley Center expects to resettle up to 375 refugees.
Any immigrant, refugee or asylee, regardless of their status or length of time in the United States is eligible for services at the Catherine McAuley Center. Individual eligibility for specific programs may depend on other factors.
“Migrant” or “immigrant” are generic terms for anyone moving to another country with the intention of staying for a minimum period of time. This includes both permanent and temporary migrants with a valid residence permit or visa, asylum-seekers, refugees, and undocumented migrants. “Refugee” refers to a particular immigration status granted to people who have fled violence or persecution in their home country and have completed a rigorous vetting process.
Our programs connect refugees and immigrants to critical resources to assist them in becoming independent members of the community. Clients have an active role in setting their goals and determining what success means for them. Learn more about our services below.
Refugee Resettlement is a 90-day case management program providing services that lay a foundation for refugees’ new lives in the United States. The goal is to provide support and education to help newcomers become self-sufficient by the end of their first three months in the country, so they are able to thrive independently in their new community.
Reception & Placement (R&P)
CMC’s resettlement services are offered through the Reception and Placement program in partnership with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI). Resettlement is guided by the federal government, which outlines the many services that must be provided within the first 90 days after a refugee arrives in the local community. This includes finding housing, employment, medical care, and providing cultural orientation.
A refugee individual or family is assigned a CMC case manager to work directly with them and support their individual needs.
CMC works with landlords, community members, and volunteers to arrange housing, furniture, clothing, and basic essentials for arriving families.
Refugees are welcomed at the airport and accompanied to their new home, where a warm, culturally-appropriate meal is waiting for them.
In the first 24 hours, case managers provide a home visit and safety orientation, and all members of the family are enrolled in food assistance and health benefits.
Newcomers meet frequently with their case managers during the first three months after arrival.
Cultural Orientation is required for all newly arrived refugees to learn about life in the United States. Newcomers are introduced to an overview of more than 50 topics to learn about their new community, such as health and education, employment and finances, the importance of learning English, public assistance, transportation and housing, U.S. laws, and what their refugee status means.
Social Services are available to recently arrived refugees needing more support after resettlement, as well as other immigrant populations needing help with community resources. Whether you are new to the community or have been living here for some time and need assistance, our services are here to help you meet your goals. CMC is committed to ensuring that all refugees and immigrants receive the support they need to build a stable and fulfilling life in the U.S.
The goal of Refugee Resettlement is to guide newcomers to become independent by the end of their first few months in the United States, however not all newly arrived refugees can become self-sufficient within 90 days. Newcomers face a variety of challenges when adjusting to life in a new country, such as language, housing, finances, transportation, and medical needs.
What is intensive case management?
For newly arrived or recently arrived refugees with higher needs – intensive case management offers extended assistance beyond the initial 90-day resettlement program.
Preferred Communities (PC)
Intensive case management is offered through the Preferred Communities program. PC receives federal funding and is guided by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). PC Case Managers work one-on-one with clients to overcome obstacles to stability. Eligible populations can receive intensive case management for 6 months, up to 1 year at any point within the first 5 years after arrival.
PC also has a program called GAPS, that provides short-term case management for eligible populations that need assistance, but don’t qualify or have a need for 6+ months of intensive support.
Resource Navigation connects refugee and immigrant populations to community services specific to their needs such as healthcare, housing, education, child care, social services, legal services, and other local resources. Clients meet one-on-one with a Resource Navigator for help navigating community services. Regardless of immigration status or length of time in the country, resource navigation provides ongoing support as needed, with no limit to how long someone can be served.
Services provided:
– Learning how to use public benefits and services
– Understanding mail, paperwork, or paying bills
– Referrals to other community resources and providers
– Checking on the status of immigration documents
Newcomers bring a wide range of valuable skills and experience to our community, and they are eager to find meaningful work to support their families!
Employment support is available to all refugee and immigrant clients, with Employment Case Managers to assist with searching and applying for jobs, building employment-readiness skills, understanding workplace practices, and referrals to employers.
Services provided:
– Individual job-seeking support
– Resume and cover letter writing
– Group classes in employment readiness
– Referrals to career pathways training programs
– Partnerships with employers in a variety of industries to facilitate smooth connection between refugee job seekers and prospective employers
What is intensive employment case management?
Employment services that help refugees and eligible immigrant populations find jobs quickly and become self-sufficient without needing to rely on public cash assistance.
Matching Grant (MG)
Services are offered through the Matching Grant (MG) program. MG is federally funded and guided by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
Services Provided:
– Job skills training and employment referrals
– Financial guidance and help with budgeting
– Assistance with housing, food, and utilities
– Transportation and access to medical care
CMC consults with employers in the community to understand their hiring needs and processes, and to connect them with qualified refugee applicants.
We also partner with employers to provide support to new refugee employees in understanding their role, completing orientation, and successfully performing their work duties.
Contact [email protected] to learn more.
Does your workplace have a need for English classes to support employees who are English language learners? CMC can help!
Contact [email protected] to learn how CMC can train your employees to become volunteer tutors who help other employees improve their English skills.
Find more information about the refugee resettlement process and a better understanding of the many immigration statuses of those we serve.
For questions, to make a referral, or to get connected to services, please contact Refugee & Immigrant Services.
