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Welcoming Refugees

Resettlement and Placement (R&P) Program

Program Overview
Every year, the United States offers safety and opportunity to people who have fled their homes in fear of persecution and have been admitted to the U.S. as refugees.  USCRI welcomes and assists thousands of these families and individuals as they arrive and resettle in the U.S.  With the support of the U.S. Department of State’s Reception and Placement (R&P) Program, USCRI partner agencies across the U.S. provide newly arrived refugees with the essential services and support they need to begin to rebuild their lives and take steps towards becoming U.S. citizens.

USCRI’s Participation
USCRI is one of nine nongovernmental national resettlement agencies that serve refugees admitted through the U.S. Resettlement Program (USRP). Refugees are identified abroad by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and approved for resettlement in the U.S. by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Once a refugee’s admission is approved and designated to USCRI, USCRI works in collaboration with the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, the International Organization for Migration, Refugee Council USA, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement, and USCRI partner agencies to receive and resettle refugees in their new communities.

Partner Agencies’ Participation
USCRI partner agencies help refugee clients to meet essential needs as they settle in.  Partner agencies ensure that refugee clients receive a personal welcome, a warm meal, and furnished lodging upon arrival, and they ensure that clients receive the support they need to quickly become self-reliant.  USCRI partner agencies assist refugees to enroll their children in school, to get access to health care and other social services, and to secure required U.S. documents.  Partner agencies provide refugees with information about how to live safely and successfully in the U.S., and they offer clients English language training, employment assistance, and other specialized instruction.  Learn about the USCRI partner agencies that participate in the R&P Program. 

Communities’ Participation
Partner agencies work closely with volunteers, social service providers, employers and communities to help refugees overcome the many challenges they face.  Volunteers assist by introducing refugees to the community and teaching them about American culture. Volunteers help refugees to learn to drive, shop, and make new friends.  Local social service agencies provide medical care and other key services.  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. 

Clients’ Participation
In FY2005, USCRI’s network assisted 6,187 refugees to begin new lives in the United States.  Though they receive support and assistance during the early stages of their resettlement, refugees are ultimately responsible for their own success in the U.S.  They rely on their own resourcefulness, talents and determination to quickly become self-reliant participants in their new communities.

Partner Agencies

International Institute of Akron, Akron
USCRI Albany, Albany
American Civic Association, Binghamton
International Institute of Boston, Boston
Western Kentucky Refugee Mutual Assistance, Bowling Green
International Institute of Connecticut, Bridgeport
CAMBA, Brooklyn
International Institute of Buffalo, Buffalo
Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program, Colchester
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights, Chicago
The International Service Center, Cleveland
International Institute of Erie, Erie
Central Valley Resettlement Services, Fresno
Pacific Gateway Center, Honolulu
YMCA International Services, Houston
International Institute of New Jersey, Jersey City
Jewish Vocational Services, Kansas City
International Institute of Los Angeles, Los Angeles
International Institute of New Hampshire, Manchester
International Institute of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Youth Co-op Inc. Miami
Nationalities Service Center, Philadelphia
International Institute of Rhode Island, Providence
International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis, St. Louis
International Institute of Minnesota, St. Paul
College of Southern Idaho Refugee Service Center, Twin Falls