About Us

Office of Justice and Peace: 
Refugee and Immigration Services is a program of the Office of Justice and Peace that is working to help the world's oppressed, committed to restoring the dignity of the displaced and sensitizing our communities to the implications of international policies.

History of Refugee and Immigration Services: 
Refugee and Immigration Services (RIS) has a long and successful history in helping necomers start life anew. Regional offices were established in Richmond and Norfolk in 1975 and Roanoke in 1978. We have resettled many thousands of refugees from Afghanistan, Bosnia, Burma, Cuba, Ethiopia, Haitia, Iraq, Laos, Cambodia, Liberia, Sudan, Somalia, Ukraine, and Vietnam into in the Greater Richmond, Hampton Roads, and Roanoke Valley, Virginia areas.

Organization: 

Catholic Diocese of Richmond

RIS is part of the auspices of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, but is actually separately incorporated as a non-profit organization. And deals with clients of any religious background. The Catholic Church has a long tradition of serving immigrants. The Bible is full of stories that extoll upon the importance of helping wanderers and strangers.

Refugee and Immigration Services is a non-profit 501(c) 3 agency. Major funders include the Virginia Office of Newcomer Services, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the United Way of Greater Richmond, the Department of Education, the Department of Social Services, the Virginia Law Foundations, the Community Foundation of Richmond, the Carilion Foundation, the Bishop's Appeal, the Jackson Foundation, Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, Roanoke City Schools, the Car Max Foundation and the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation. And, many other generous donors.

Each regional office of RIS has a local community board with representatives from area agencies and local businesses.