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VDSS Office of New Americans
R E F U G E E_A N D_I M M I G R A N T_S E R V I C E S
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Source: The Washington Post, June 2024 | |
Alexandria Graduate Featured in The Washington Post Article
“Zahra Rahimi, an Alexandria City High graduate whose family fled Afghanistan in 2019, helped start a club for Afghan students and a community tutoring program for peers learning English among other accomplishments.” Read the full article here.
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Source: Virginia General Assembly | |
MYVA Capital Tour with ONA
On June 28th, 23 youth and chaperones from the Mentoring Youth in Virginia (MYVA) program statewide gathered to participate in the 2024 MYVA Capital Tour in Richmond. Participants visited the Library of Virginia, Capitol building, and Executive Mansion followed by a canal cruise. Participants heard from Virginia's State Refugee Coordinator, Seyoum Berhe, and VDSS Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Hari Dulal. Thank you to Nate's Bagels, Studio Two Three, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Triple Stamp Press, Sub Rosa Bakery, and the Flying Squirrels for their support and donations!
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32-Hour Online Free Training for Interpreters with the Virginia Healing Partnership
Taught by the Virginia Healing Partnership and supported by ONA and the DBHDS Office of Behavioral Wellness, this course will enable interpreters with prior expertise in other fields (such as medical, legal, and community interpretation) to receive specialized training in behavioral health as it applies to educational settings. The course is delivered via Zoom and will cover topics such as the US public school system, legal bases of language access in educational settings, educational interpreters as related service providers, language and culture, standards of practice and code of conduct, and more.
The class runs July 15-18, and 22-25, from 8AM to 12PM. Register here.
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Federal, State, and Local News | |
New Program for Spouses of U.S. Citizens and DACA Recipients
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will start allowing non-citizen spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for “parole-in-place” through DHS, which would grant those eligible the opportunity to apply for lawful permanent resident status without having to leave the U.S. Non-citizen spouses who have resided in the U.S. for ten years or more are eligible to apply once the program goes into effect, expected to be in late summer. To learn about the eligibility criteria and other details, read the American Immigration Council’s explainer and blog. Alongside the “parole-in-place” program for non-citizen spouses, DHS announced that DACA recipients will be able to apply for H-1B visas and other employment-based visas in a more streamlined fashion.
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USCIS Extends Employment Authorization Documents under Temporary Protected Status Designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan
For the most current information related to Temporary Protected Status, visit the TPS webpage. We would also like to encourage everyone to protect yourself from immigration scams. If you need legal advice on immigration matters, make sure the person helping you is authorized to give legal advice.
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Summer Grocery Benefit for Kids
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new food assistance program called Summer EBT or SUNBUCKS for low-income families. This program will deliver pre-loaded cards for a total of $120 dollars, which is a one-time payment for the 3 summer months. Students who qualify for this program receive assistance from SNAP, TANF, or are enrolled in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program.
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POLICY UPDATES & REMINDERS | | | |
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VIRTUAL TRAININGS
& WEBINARS
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Dollar For is a national nonprofit that crushes medical bills by helping patients access charity care, empowers patients, and advocates on their behalf. This is a free service for anyone who qualifies. Learn more and check to see if you are eligible here.
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Switchboard is a one-stop resource hub for refugee service providers in the US. Learn more about their webinars, resources, and technical assistance.
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Created and maintained by the American Federation of Teachers, Share My Lesson is a free, community-based site for finding and sharing educational lessons and resources, including collections on Immigrant heritage lessons and resources can be accessed here. Collections include resources on supporting immigrant students, creating welcoming communities, and specific heritage resources for inclusion.
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Ready Regions is a statewide network within VECF providing coordinating enrollment for early childhood education across Virginia. Find your Ready Regions Lead.
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The disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV) is the designated Protection and Advocacy organization for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Do you know anyone in our community who needs to file a complaint about public places that are inaccessible to them? This includes restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, and any other establishments. You can call the dLCV office at 804-225-2042 or 1-800-552-3962. Se habla Español.
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Charla de Inmigración
Southern Virginia Latino Association (SOVALA) with Amaryllis Law
July 9, 6PM
St. Joseph Catholic Church
2481 Spruce St, Martinsville, VA
El Librotazo
Chesterfield County Public Schools
July 9, 5-8:30PM
10300 Courthouse Rd, Chesterfield, VA
Talleres de Resistencia Emocional
International Rescue Committee (IRC) Charlottesville
July 10-November 6
Women: 10AM-12PM | Men: 5-7PM
120 W. Hight St, Charlottesville, VA
Call 646-877-8811 for more information.
Dar Al-Hijrah Immigration Legal Clinic
Just Neighbors
July 11, 8:30AM-12PM
3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA
Domestic and Sexual Violence Listening Session
VA Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance with VDH
July 12, 10:30AM-12:30PM
Bland Hall, Room 104
Wytheville Community College
1000 E Main St, Wytheville, VA | See flyer
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Summer Career Fair
Virginia Career Works with Chesterfield Public Library
July 18, 1-6PM
Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Blvd, North Chesterfield, VA
Prevent Fraud & Scams: A Resource Meeting
DC Public Library Adult Learning Dept
July 19, 2-3PM
Virtual via Zoom
Richmond Community Day
Cameron Gallagher Mental Health Resource Center
July 20, 12-4PM
MLK Jr Middle School, 1000 Mosby St, Richmond, VA
Financial Workshop (Spanish)
Centro Sagrado Corazón and Bank of America
July 24, 6-8PM
1400 Perry St, Richmond, VA
Call 804-230-4399 to register.
Festival Hispano
Coalicion Solidaria Pro-Inmigrantes Unidos (Cospu)
August 4, 9 AM
Smithland Athletic Complex
1542 Smithland Rd, Harrisonburg, VA
Anniversary Celebration
Southwood Resource Center
August 16, 12PM-3PM
1600 Clarkson Rd, Richmond, VA
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