USCRI has resettled over 350,000 refugees from around the world in communities across the U.S.
USCRI helps refugees and other newcomers achieve self-sufficiency and become contributing members of American society.
Reception and Placement Program
USCRI’s Reception and Placement (R&P) Program is at the heart of our work with refugees. This public-private partnership with the U.S. Department of State has provided a safe haven for those who have fled their homes in fear of persecution for almost 50 years. Since 1977, USCRI has worked across 34 sites nationally and assisted over 300,000 newcomers–connecting them to services. and building bridges to their communities.
USCRI staff begin their work at the airport, welcoming our new clients and navigating their way through housing, furnishings, Social Security cards, healthcare, schools and English classes. USCRI. staff work closely with volunteers, social service providers, employers and communities to help refugees start their new lives in their new communities.
We believe in partnerships. Employers provide jobs and on-the-job training. Community members donate clothing and household goods, and they reach out to newcomers to make sure that they feel welcome and accepted. At the headquarters level, USCRI provides training and ongoing technical support to staff at the local level on the provision of R&P program services to ensure clients are provided with the best opportunity for early self-sufficiency and integration.
Matching Grant (MG) Program
The Matching Grant Program, is an alternative to public cash assistance. It helps eligible refugees become economically self-sufficient within 120 to 180 days of program eligibility. These populations include refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, Victims of Severe Forms of Trafficking, and Special Immigrant Visa Holders (SIVs). Services include case management, employment services, maintenance assistance and cash allowance, and administration. The USCRI MG Network includes 31 partners nationally and over 3,000 slots.
Preferred Communities Program
Preferred Communities, funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), provides intensive case management to the most vulnerable refugees. USCRI operates the PC program with 19 network partners nationally to help refugees move towards stability and self- sufficiency with individualized, comprehensive case management services for up to one year from arrival.
Preferred communities facilitates early employment opportunities that translate into sustained economic independence. In addition, the grant supports special needs populations with the resources they require to become independent and self-sufficient member =s of their communities.
Refugee Family Strengthening Program (FS)
The Refugee Family Strengthening Program recognizes the challenges of families adapting to a new and unfamiliar and the stress it places on families. Using an internationally recognized Relationship Enhancement© curriculum to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of diverse populations, USCRI holds workshops to build skills needed to strengthen family relationships, relationships at work and relationships with the broader community. Workshops teach ten skills that mark good relationships in marriage and family, at work, and in the community.
Refugee Loan Collection Services
USCRI oversees the travel loan repayment process for the refugees that we resettle. By guiding the clients through the repayment process our loan counselors help refugees gain basic financial literacy and establish good credit in their new country. The repayment of these loans enables the U.S. Government to continue to assist refugees.
For information about our refugee resettlement program, please contact:
Saba Berhane
sberhane@uscridc.or
703-310-1100
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