When a refugee family or individual arrives in the United States, the refugee resettlement multilingual staff and volunteers assist in getting them settled in their new home. They are provided safe, affordable housing and assisted with medical, welfare, and Social Security appointments. The staff also provides community and cultural orientation, ESL, GED tutoring, job readiness courses, certification in specific areas of employment and a robust employment placement program. These services are provided to make the transition to a new life in the United States as seamless as possible.
After several months with no new refugee arrivals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Catholic Charities welcomed a new family from Burma in September! Services were provided remotely while the family was in quarantine. Staff collaborated with Perry Township Schools to successfully enroll the daughter in kindergarten and provided a uniform and school supplies. She was excited to begin school in America!
This family was provided with a Chromebook through the Refugee Resettlement program to help with things like English classes, Cultural Orientation and Employment Training. Staff assisted the family in getting internet services set up so they could connect to all these wonderful opportunities. The staff assisted the parents in finding warehouse jobs and they started working in December. They are thankful for all they have been able to do from their home and are grateful for their new life in Indianapolis!