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
Provides education, employment, transportation, and community engagement resources/opportunities to refugee families based in Richmond, VA.
Muslims, undocumented immigrants, and others who face potential violence while commuting or traveling alone can request a companion from The Accompany Project, which trains New Yorkers “to disrupt violence – particularly against Arab, Muslim and undocumented residents – and to organize for stronger, safer neighborhoods.” Those wishing to request that someone commute or travel with them can contact the Arab American Association of New York (hours, address, and contact information available on website), which to date has more than 8,000 volunteers for the project. The Accompany Project is also soliciting volunteers to assist with bystander training and organizing sessions around the city.
Biblioteca Salaborsa, the town library, offers a number of services newly arrived immigrants or migrants in Bologna, Italy. This includes a multilingual staff, and library materials available in a number of languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Urdu, Bengali, and more. Visit their website for details on additional services, including assistance with obtaining an Italian driver’s license, Italian language courses, and more.
http://www.bibliotecasalaborsa.it/documenti/resources_for_the_newly_arrived_in_bologna
WRAP is a network of individuals committed to assisting local refugees from Burma achieve sustainable self‐reliance through mentoring, advocacy and providing material support as needed. Services include English Language Assistance, Family/Peer Mentorship, Health Advocacy, Youth Development, Transportation, Driver’s education, After‐school homework/tutoring, Children’s Program, Citizenship Classes, College Prep, and Teen Mentoring.
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.
Catholic Community Services of Souther Arizona provides resettlement assistance through transitional housing, short-term financial aid, transportation, English language classes, and job readiness training.
https://www.ccs-soaz.org/services/detail/migration-and-refugee-services
St. Vincent Catholic Charities helps resettle refugees in the Lansing, Michigan and mid-Michigan areas. Services include locating affordable housing and providing food and basic necessities, as well as offering assistance with transportation, financial literacy, school enrollment, employment, and more. Refugee Services can also assist with applying for documents and U.S. State Department programs.
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