CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LOUISVILLE MIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICES Catherine Palmer-Ball Refugee Youth School Preparedness Instructor

Catholic Charities of Louisville Services  Catholic Charities of Louisville:  Disaster Response  Pregnancy and Adoption Services  Services for those who are affected by Human Trafficking  Language Services  Immigration and Legal Services  Long-Term Care Ombudsman  Senior Services  Housing Development  Migration and Refugee Services

Catholic Charities of Louisville –Migration and Refugee Services (MRS)  MRS is a local resettlement agency housed within Catholic Charities of Louisville.  Mission: Provide refugees with the support and assistance they need in order to become self- sufficient. The role of MRS is to involve, organize, and bring together the agency, church, and community resources necessary for successful resettlement.

Who are Refugees / Immigrants?  REFUGEES: People who have been forced to flee their own country because of a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, or political opinion.  Cannot return home or are afraid to do so.  IMMIGRANTS: People who choose to migrate to another country, usually permanently, and for a variety of reasons, including economic hardships and educational opportunities.

Who are SIV/Asylee/Parolee?  SIV: Special Immigrant Visas are provided to people who helped the US Military or US Contractors overseas, typically translators.  Asylee: Someone who comes to the US under a different immigration status but now cannot return home.  Parolee: A Cuban who has crossed the border, been reviewed, and then given parolee status.

Current Refugee Crisis  What do you all know about the current refugee crisis? 

What are the concerns?  Economy  Islamophobia  National Security  Crime  Human Rights 

Important to Remember Although the Syrian crisis is the situation in the news and media, these countries have faced refugee crises for YEARS.  Somalia:  Burma: refugee-crisishttps:// refugee-crisis  DRC: /06/the-origins-of-war-in-the-drc/277131/ /06/the-origins-of-war-in-the-drc/277131/

Migration and Refugee Services: USCCB

Unfamiliar Territory…

During our pre-arrival arrangements: We…  Contact our volunteers if we have them  Find the refugees a suitable apartment or home  Collect furnishings, linens, and basic household items  Prepare adequate food for their arrival

Once they arrive: We…  Meet the refugees at the airport to welcome them  Transport the refugees to their new home  Help them to settle in

Then: We…  Help enroll children in school  Get families to medical appointments  Teach adults English as a Second Language in partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools Adult Education Program  Provide cultural and community orientation such as use of banks, bus routes etc.  Begin the process of work orientation, development and placement  Long term assistance include job upgrades, assistance with adjustment of their immigration status, and assistance preparing individuals to become naturalized US citizen

Common Languages for Refugees Arabic, Nepali, Somali, Spanish and Karen (this year)

Who lives in Louisville? Cuba, Bhutan, Iraq, Burma and Somalia are the largest groups

How many Refugees are there?

Refugee Experience Violence/ persecution Flight Refugee Camp – secondary country Apply to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 1% of refugees are resettled KRM or Catholic Charities resettles refugees locally Voluntary Agencies (VOLAGs)

Refugee Camp in Thailand

Dadab Refugee Camp, Kenya

REFUGEE YOUTH SERVICES Partnering together to make a difference!

Catholic Charities MRS Refugee Youth Services Program  Welcome refugee youth to the United States and assist them and their families with the transition into their new home  Assist with School Registration  Provide orientations to parents  Provide school preparedness course to youth before they attend school  Act as a liaison between school and family, provide crisis management, and assist with school visits  Provide backpacks, school supplies, and school uniforms  Connect youth to other Catholic Charities services and community services.

Navigating Unfamiliar Territory  Cultural Differences  Clothing Requirements  Hygiene  Language Access  Medical Care and Documentation  Family Separation  Behavior Expectations Finding Creative Solutions through Working Together!

What I do!  Register newly arrived refugee children in school  Teach School Preparedness Class  Write grant reports  Teach Cultural Orientation classes to adult refugees  Uniform and backpack donations  School placements  Liaison between schools and clients  Summer Program for refugee children  Especially active with Cuban clients (Spanish) Refugee Youth School Preparedness Instructor

Faida 19 year old boy who fled from Democratic Republic of Congo with his family. Oldest of 7 kids Spent most of childhood in refugee camp in Uganda What is his perspective on life after experiencing all of that?

What can be done?  Donations/Collections  Volunteering  Awareness  Mentoring  Summer Program  Refugee Simulation  Tutoring

Contact Us: Catholic Charities MRS Alix Davidson KellerRefugee Youth Services Coordinator Catherine Palmer-Ball Refugee Youth School Preparedness Instructor