Refugee and Immigration Services
of the
Catholic Diocese of Richmond

2008 Annual Report

Refugee and Immigration Services resettles refugees and assists immigrants, empowering them to build new lives in a welcoming community.

Refugee and Immigration Services (RIS) came into being in the spring of 1975 in response to the exodus of refugees from southeast Asia. The Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond has continued to resettle refugees and assist individuals in their petitions to the Immigration and Naturalization Service and adjustment to life on American for over 30 years. In 1991 Refugee and Immigration Services incorporated. RIS continues to function as an agency of the diocese committed to serving these at risk populations regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.

Refugee Resettlement: In 2008, Refugee and Immigration Services resettled 565 refugees from Iraq, Burma, Bhutan, Burundi, Sudan, Iraq, Eritrea, Northern Korea, Afghanistan, Cuba, and other parts of the world where freedom is curtailed and lives are at risk. RIS provides housing and a wide range of essential support services. Volunteers offer a warm welcome and invaluable friendship and guidance. Many teach English and helped families toward independence. Staff provide case-management and ensure needs are met, addressing medical problems and securing employment. RIS placed 285 refugees in jobs and assisted 300 families in their journey to self sufficiency.

Youth Integration: Young people with little or no education are challenged to learn English, catch up to grade level on multiple subject areas and find their way socially in a new and often threatening school environment. RIS oriented over 1200 refugee and immigrant children and their parents to the American educational system, and prepared the schools to work with the new limited English speaking population. Peer tutors are recruited to help with academics and act as mentors. School liaisons connect youth with extra-curricular activities and ensure that they receive tutorial assistance. Liaisons work with special needs students to ensure parents are involved and that interventions are appropriate.

Immigration Counseling: Immigration staff worked with over 7,000 individuals who sought assistance in stabilizing their status, reuniting with their families and negotiating our complicated legal system. RIS immigration counselors, accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals, offer assistance in Richmond, Hampton, Roanoke and Harrisonburg to those who can not afford to go to an attorney. Requests for help exceeds the time capacity of staff to provide services. Residents of rural areas need access to immigration assistance; many are exploited by unscrupulous notarios who make unrealistic promises, charge exorbitant fees, and place applicants in jeopardy. RIS conducts public education and has multi-lingual capabilities to respond to those seeking assistance.

English Instruction: RIS seeks to make English language learning non-threatening for those with little previous education, many of whom fear a school environment. Staff of the three offices recruited and trained 198 volunteers to work with over 800 adult language learners last year. Approximately 40% worked one-on-one in refugee homes and others taught in class situations close to where students live. Child care was provided at four centers to allow mothers the freedom to study. Formalized testing required by the Department of Education indicated 80% mastery by those who were able to stick with instruction; new strategies are being explored to follow up with those who drop out due to changes in their work schedule.

Interpretation Services: Each regional office offers an interpreter services program that is called upon to provide interpretation and translation assistance to courts, businesses and health and social service agencies. Staff screen, train and deploy interpreters speaking over twenty-five languages. Fees pay the interpreter for his/her time and fund the office program expenses. Public education on risk management and the mandates of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act is essential to service expansion.

Domestic Violence Prevention and intervention: RIS orients all refugees to US laws, rights and responsibilities, institutions, customs and resources. To the extent possible, staff extend this important information to the immigrants in their communities. Education includes information and coping strategies around changing roles as women go to work and school, the importance of communication and compromise, disciplinary techniques for children and teens, domestic violence laws, and obtaining safety and protection. RIS trains community service providers on the cultures they will encounter and how to work effectively with those with limited English.

Cross Cultural Training: RIS provides cross-cultural training to schools, universities, police, head start staff and other agencies. This training is tailored to meet agency needs, representatives of the cultures of interest answer questions to help service providers to better work with these populations. Training includes information on Title VI of the civil rights act.

Refugee Arrivals: The 2001 terrorist attacks were devastating for refugees around the world. Despite authorization for 70,000 refugee admissions, increased international security concerns resulted in less than 28,000 admitted in the 2002 and 2003 federal fiscal years. Despite heavy arrivals in 2005, security concerns kept admissions low in 2006. Refugee arrivals increased 30% in 2007 and 55% in 2008. Newcomers were primarily Iraqis, Nepalese from Bhutan, displaced since 1992, Chin and Karen Burmese, and Burundians in camps since 1972. These populations and numbers are expected in 2009.

Asylees: are persons with a well-founded fear of persecution who are granted this status after they are admitted into the country. Once qualified, they are eligible for all federally funded refugee services. They come from all parts of the world, many are well educated and most have been in the US for several months. Some need jobs, English instruction and support services.

Services to Hispanics: The Spanish speaking population has more than tripled throughout southern Virginia over the past ten years. Community partners are struggling with the challenges they are encountering. RIS Richmond and Roanoke have Spanish-speaking school liaisons and an immigrant community liaison. Services include: information and referral, setting up parent/teacher conferences, assistance with setting up adult ESL, school enrollment, connecting families with health services, community orientation, and education on U.S. law. The Hampton office of RIS serves Hispanic mothers in Newport News through the Healthy Families early intervention initiative. Needs exist for more school liaison support in each site; RIS is seeking funds to expand services.

Volunteerism: Volunteers continue to be the backbone of refugee services. Staff recruited, screened and supervised over 700 volunteers who acted as sponsors, translation aides, tutors, and mentors over the past year, contributing over 20,000 hours of service at a value of over $200,000. The offices solicited donations to provide basic furnishings, clothes, school supplies, etc. for each newcomer household. Refugee resettlement is a public/private partnership. Community support is essential to the assimilation of the newcomer, to the economics of the program and to public attitudes and policies towards immigrants.

Governance: Refugee and Immigration Services of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond was originally an office of the Catholic Diocese. It separately incorporated in 1991 with a diocesan pledge to continue their management and in-kind support. The agency has a small Governing Board that meets quarterly. Local community boards assist the three regional offices with resource development, community education and advocacy. They meet monthly and are actively engaged. Each community board has representation on the Governing Board.

The Refugee and Immigration Services Governing Board Officers and members are: