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Refugee Services

7,042
services provided to individuals last year
87
of our refugee clients were self-sufficient within 8 months of arrival in the U.S.
100
of students participating in the after school program showed improved academic performance

Welcoming New Americans and helping them integrate and thrive in their new home.

Refugee Services

Catholic Charities Atlanta Refugee Services has a long history of welcoming our new neighbors. We work alongside and support clients throughout their journey and provide newly arrived individuals and families with services and opportunities to achieve their full potential here in the United States.

Refugee Infographic

Employment

A program based on assisting refugee clients gain economic independence through employment, vocational training, skills recertification and development as well as maintaining employment, within their first months here in the United States and ongoing support for up to 5 years from the date of arrival.

Employment Services

  • Job readiness and orientation to the U.S. workforce
  • Assistance to obtain employment
  • Support in searching for higher paying jobs
  • Workshops to further knowledge and skills for the workplace

Supportive Services

CCA offers supportive services in our Social Adjustment Program to clients to address a broad range of needs beyond employment and English language instruction in order for individuals to successfully integrate into their communities. We will help address barriers to health services, emergency services, cultural adjustment, and orientation as well as assistance with federal and state benefits.

Any refugee can receive Social Adjustment services for up to five years from their arrival date, and ongoing support from our Information and Referral Program, which is not time-limited.

Refugee Services

After School Program

Our goal is to help refugee parents and youth navigate American schools and help parents become more involved in their children’s education. Services are focused on newly arrived refugee parents and 3-4th grade school-aged youth.

Read the Georgia Bulletin story on our CCA after school program

Services Include:

After school tutoring and educational support. If you are interested in being a tutor from October to May, email volunteer@ccatlanta.org

  • After school programming four days a week to assist with homework, English language learning, and acclimation to life in America
  • Orientation to the American school system for youth and their parents
  • Enrichment activities (field trips)
  • Transportation, interpretation and translation for any school-related event
  • Support for families of children referred by school staff

After School Highlights

• 100% of children enrolled in ASP exceed DHS attendance requirements of 85%
• 172 Parent support Services provided
• 74% of children receiving Super You Orientation improve their score.
• Literacy – 58% of students improve their score or remain the same.
• Oral –77% of students improve their score or remain the same.
• Reading – 90% of students improve their score or remain the same. 71% of students improve at least 1 reading level.
• 100% of students have an attendance rate of 90% or more.

Youth Mentoring

Mentors are matched one-to-one with refugee youth between the ages of 9 and 17. Mentors will act as self-esteem boosters, tutors, role-models, and friends and assist and encourage refugee youth as they develop their skills and talents.

Mentors and mentees  meet 4 hours per months for 1 year and spend time together doing homework or doing activities in the community.

If you are interested in being a youth mentor, email volunteer@ccatlanta.org

Mentor Eligibility:

  • 21+years of age
  • Willing to meet at least 4 hours a month
  • Willing to complete a background check and training

How You Can Help

At Catholic Charities Atlanta, we strive to serve each individual with compassion, integrity, and respect. Some of the best ways to partner with us is to join us by volunteering with our programs! Volunteer by emailing us at volunteer@ccatlanta.org. Another great way to continue supporting our families is by purchasing from our Amazon wish list from the list of regularly needed items below, or donating through our Make a Gift page.

Regularly Needed Essential Items:

  • Toiletries: toothpaste, shampoo, razor blades, feminine products
  • Cleaning items: wipes, laundry detergent, toilet paper
  • Household items: dish sets, cooking utensils, pots and pans
  • Gift cards: Visa, Walmart, Target, gas
  • Clothing: Winter coats for various ages, sizes, and genders
Learn more about our Welcome Home ProjectUse the QR code or click here to go to the wishlist

Whatever your position was in your country when you come here, you have to start again at zero. It’s a challenge but just like when you walk up the stairs. You don’t just jump on the stairs. Life is hard, it is not easy but you have to work. I started work at Wal-Mart about 2 months after coming here. I worked in the beginning as a worker/ stocker, then I worked as the department manager after 3 months and also the support manager, and right now I am one of the assistant managers. Catholic Charities gave me a lot of opportunities and have advised me and provided me with all the details I need.

SaadStone Mountain, Ga.