All refugees arriving in the United States have a refugee resettlement agency working with them. There are a number of refugee agencies active in the Metroplex. While all of the agencies offer the same basic resettlement services, each agency has its own network of resources – and in some cases, additional programmatic funding – that allows them to deliver services in a variety of ways to meet the basic needs of refugee clients. For example, some agencies may rely on donations to provide basic furnishings while others purchase furniture through a vendor. Some agencies partner with local churches to “sponsor” refugee families, while others do not.
During the initial resettlement period, the refugee agency will work closely with newly arriving refugees to develop a “resettlement plan”. The U.S. refugee program is focused on helping refugees become self-sufficient as quickly as possible. Many benefits and programs are time-limited and require that employable adults seek work as soon as possible. There are a number of tasks that the resettlement agency needs to complete in a specific period of time, and often in a certain order. For example, before children can be enrolled in school they must apply for a social security card and get vaccinated.
While there are some standard programs available to almost all newly arriving refugees, most programs – particularly cash assistance – will vary based on the refugee family’s demographics and situation. For example, if a refugee joins a relative already in the United States, the relative’s income may make the new arrival ineligible for certain federal benefits depending on the relationship and living situation.
If you connect with a refugee family on your own, you are strongly encouraged to contact the resettlement agency that resettled the family to better understand what the agency has and can do – and how your volunteer efforts can best support the family.
A refugee arriving in the United States for permanent resettlement is undergoing extraordinary change. “Culture shock” is a common feeling for people adapting to different rules, values, foods, language and ways of thinking in a foreign land. Shortly after arrival, refugees are confronted with an enormous amount of new and very important information during the first few weeks they are in their new home. While resettlement staff conduct thorough orientations, it is may be difficult for refugees to absorb and process the information quickly.
It is critical that volunteers and the resettlement agency work in partnership. Particularly during the first weeks of resettlement, the resettlement agency often arranges a number of appointments for the refugee. A lack of coordination between volunteers and the resettlement agency can result in duplicated efforts or missed appointments. By working together, resettlement staff and volunteers can ensure the most efficient and timely delivery of services to refugee clients. Volunteers can also help to reinforce cultural orientation information with their families.