Resources by librarians – for everyone
Provides free support to those seeking asylum in the U.S. and Canada. Services include housing, food, clothing, legal aid, medical care, mental health care, English as a Second Language classes, education, job training, recreation, transportation, and offsite housing after asylum is gained. Located in Detroit, MI; hours and contact information available on website.
https://www.freedomhousedetroit.org/index.php/services
Direct link to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Michigan listing of refugee service agencies. Includes addresses and telephone numbers.
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/state-of-michigan-programs-and-services-by-locality
Coordinates donations and volunteers for Jungle Books, In ‘The Jungle’ refugee camp in Calais, France, Jungle Books is a library, school, and cafe that provides English, French, and music classes; one to one reading sessions; conversation classes; computer access; and book lending. Assists unaccompanied children, providing meals and recreation space.
Catholic Charities of Oregon provides Refugee Resettlement services in the Portland area, including assistance with basic needs, school enrollment and referrals to other service providers, and community orientation.
The goal of Virginia’s Refugee Resettlement Program is to help refugees and their families gain economic self-sufficiency and social integration into their communities. Website details benefits and social services available around the state of Virginia.
Vive is a program of Jericho Road Community Health Center, a nonprofit organization with no connection to the U.S. government. Vive provides shelter and assistance to refugees seeking asylum in Canada. The organization assists adults and families who have an anchor relative in Canada, and unaccompanied minors with parental permission but without anchor relatives, in obtaining asylum. Vive schedules appointments and interviews with the Canada Border Services Agency and houses refugees who are waiting for those appointments or interviews.
Vive charges $100 per week, a fee that includes registration, housing, meals, and access to medical care, legal services, and Wi-Fi. For taxi services to and from appointments with Canadian Border services, Vive charges $30 on the day of the appointment or interview.
The website provides a list of suggested documents, contains special information for children, and explains who Canada considers to be an “anchor relative” for purposes of asylum.
The Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees (MVRCR) assists refugees and immigrants, and individuals with limited English proficiency. MVRCR is partially accredited by the US Department of Justice and thereby authorized to represent clients before US Citizenship and Immigration Services and to complete immigration forms on clients’ behalf. MVRCR provides advocacy, counseling, information, processing, and referrals for citizenship and immigration issues. It has a refugee resettlement program in Utica that has resettled more than 15,000 individuals in the city since 1981.
The organization also provides interpretation and translation services and training in cultural competency (for interactions involving health care, education, government services, and more).
MVRCR seeks to help its clients achieve independence and self-sufficiency.
The website lists eligibility requirements, which include possession of a qualifying I-94 by certain refugees, parolees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and asylees. Qualifying unaccompanied minors enter the program by referral from the Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Service (LIRS). Eligible adult clients and families receive referrals by third parties, such as attorneys. The factsheet covers the basics of program services and requirements, and provides contact information.
One of 104 national affiliates of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Help for newcomers to get on their feet and become self-sufficient. Provides case management in 20 languages. Provide housing (30-120 days), household goods, food, case management, cultural and community orientation, orientation to public transport, loaning cars for job interviews, interpretation at social security services and schools and doctors appointments, referrals to other services, matching with volunteers, employment training, resume building, computer training, legal immigration services. There are also walk in clinics to help (must call ahead for an appointment). Resettlement and placement services available to new arrivals. Employment services available to refugees and asylees living in Northern Virginia up to 5 years after arrival/asylum approval.
In Arlington, Alexandria, Annandale, Fredericksburg, Manassas.
Also provides resources for employers, volunteers and parishes.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington – Migration and Refugee Services
Provides refugees and legal immigrants with shelter, food, clothing, employment training & assistance, English language classes, translation, and referrals. Also provides help with relative petitions, citizenship, permanent residency, replacement of lost or stolen documents, special protected status deferred enforced departure, and family unification.