Refugee Resettlement

Recap of St. Michael’s Refugee Resettlement Program

 
Ever since we initially began the Refugee Resettlement Program in 2015 in conjunction with Catholic Charities, we have successively helped 4 refugee families acclimate from the uprooting of their homeland to the United States.  We had two families from Iraq and two families from Congo.  All four families received a furnished apartment to live in, rent and utility free during their year stay at St. Michael.  The families were welcomed into the community by parishioners introducing themselves and dropping off meals the first week of each of their arrivals.  Adults were assisted with finding employment and children were registered for school, including even one of the children at St. Michael School.  Parishioners taught English classes to the families.  The adults took driving lessons.  Nearly all of them passed their driver’s test and gained their license.  Through the generosity of parishioners, three vehicles were given so the families had a vehicle when they left.  Two teens have since graduated from high school, one now a dental assistant and another going to UHD on a full ride.
 
We have followed Jesus’ teaching to welcome the stranger.  These four families have been shaped by the parishioners of St. Michael and will never forget our open and kind hearts.  We should be proud that St. Michael is a community bring in the brokenhearted and walk beside those in times of trouble.
 
Though the Refugee Resettlement Program has now ended, we plan to offer free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to the immigrant and refugee population within our community beginning in September 2019.  If you would like to assist, please contact Jennifer Gonzalez.





In helping to create a home-away-from-home, we assisted government-approved refugees in becoming self-sufficient.

Services Provided:

• Assistance with Finding a Job
• ESL (Tuesday and Thursday evenings)
• Financial Assistance
• Housing
• Learning How to Drive
• Providing Meals the First Week of Arrival
• Referrals to Social Service Agencies
• Stocking the Pantry and Fridge with the Initial Essentials
• Welcoming Families into Their New Home

In May 2015-July 2016, St. Michael helped resettle two families from Iraq.  As of August 2017, St. Michael helped to resettle two families from Congo, Africa.