Services for Immigrants

Refugee and Immigration Services' primary service originally had just been refugee resettlement, but in recent years our services to immigrants have been expanded to include community building and educational activities that attract the interest of immigrants and ethnic organizations.

Services for Immigrants

Refugee and Immigration Services provides the following services to immigrants:

• Low-cost and Accredited Immigration Counseling
• English Language Instruction (ESL)
• Citizenship Preparation Classes
• School and Community Liaison Services that cover the broad area of acculturation to American life. Our liaison staff provide educational services to immigrants on how things work in Virginian schools and communities, as well as family and youth services.
• Interpreter Services that enable limited English Proficient (LEP) immigrant populations to access community services.
• Multicultural Training to Businesses, Government Agencies, Educators, and Service Providers.

RIS provides services to immigrants both directly as well as indirectly to them by developing partnerships with service providers, churches, and ethnic groups. As well as through the development of community based centers in apartment complexes. And, by routinely supporting appropriate community events and initiatives throughout our Virginian communities that promote communication, education and conflict resolutions.

Refugee and Immigration Services strives to foster a community climate of acceptance for persons of different cultures through our school and community liaison programs.

Outreach Services to the Limited English Proficient (LEP) Population

RIS as part of our services for immigrants has helped to pull together diverse organizations to address the needs of the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) population in communities across Virginia. As a result of our efforts, more and more Virginian community organizations now meet on a regular basis to discuss needs and creative mechanisms for providing meaningful services to the Limited English Proficient populations residing in their communities.