The Mission - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington

MIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICESPRESIDENT’S MESSAGE“Freedom” continued from page 1to do certain jobs. I would not have beenable to work in insurance if we were stillthere.”He now volunteers with MRS, takingothers to the doctor, library or bank. Healso volunteers as a medical interpreterat Mary Washington hospital. He estimatesthat about 100 Nepali refugeeslive in the Fredericksburg community.Catholic Charities’ Office of Migrationand Refugee Services (MRS)celebrated World Refugee DayDahal and his family have adjustedwell with the help of MRS and are nowthriving. Two of his brothers are employedand the youngest has just startedclasses at Germanna Community College.“As the days pass, I feel more comfortablehere than I was in Nepal.”Bhim Dahal and his mom.Establishing Self-SufficiencyMRS helps refugees gain autonomy as soon as possible after arrival in the United StatesCatholic Charities' MRS is the largest refugee social provider in Northern Virginia with four offices and 24 staff memberswho are constantly on the move. Our staff is waiting at the airport to pick up the refugees and welcome them to theirnew country—even if their flight lands in the middle of the night.Below is an extensive list of the ways that MRS assists refugees in their challenging transition. Services are not limited to theitems on this list, as we serve our clients in countless ways.HOME• Find an apartment for the family prior to arrivaleven though they have no U.S. credit history• Furnish the apartment with donations from generousparishioners and community members• Assist with integration into the local community• Provide cultural orientationEDUCATION• Assist clients in enrolling in English classes• Assist client families in enrolling children in school• Assist families with adjustment to new schoolsystem• Follow up with students, teachers and administratorsto ensure the smoothest transition possibleMRS Celebrates World Refugee Day on June 21Attendees wait in a simulated refugeecamp outside the MRS office in Arlington.on June 21 by hosting an eye-openingprogram entitled, “A Refugee Journey.”The program simulated the treacherousjourney that refugees must endurewhen seeking safety from violence andpolitical unrest. A panel discussion followedthe event, with actual refugeessharing testimonials of the trials theyendured as refugees. More than 45 participantsattended the event.“It really opened my eyes to peoplearound me who are suffering from displacement,”said Tiffany Waits, administrativeassistant to Bishop Loverde. “Iwas struck by the idea that their livesCAREER• Provide an employment assessment, job developmentand vocational job training• Assist with job search, referrals and placements• Provide pre-employment training and follow-up foremployment retentionCASE MANAGEMENT• Provide case management services for all clients• Refer clients for health screenings at the Departmentof Health, transport them to appointments andinterpret as needed• Assist with naturalization services• Provide self-sufficiency strategic planningwere changed in an instant by somethingthat was beyond their control.”Derek Maxfield, MRS associate director,worked with MRS staff for severalweeks preparing the program.“I wanted the participants to discoverwhat our clients go through,” Maxfieldsaid. “Now they can take the informationback to their communities and raiseawareness of the seemingly insurmountableobstacles that refugees havegone through and how MRS and ourparish and local communities can assistthem as they start a new life in the UnitedStates.”September 5 th is the Feast Day ofBlessed Teresa of Calcutta. Everyonehas their favorite stories aboutMother Teresa’s virtues. I have two.When Time Magazine published acover story critical of her work, her sistersvacilated on whether to show herthe story. They decided to show her, andshe commented that we simply have toaccept the good and the bad. Then shewent about her work. That was perseveranceand humility.When invited to the National PrayerBreakfast in 1994, she courageouslycalled abortion “the greatest destroyer oflove and peace.“ That was a tangible actof love for all of God’s people.His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pope-Emeritus, said that Blessed Teresa ofCalcutta is “an exemplary model ofChristian virtue who showed the worldthat an authentic love for others opensthe door to knowing and being withGod.”IMMIGRANT SERVICESThriving in New Manassas LocationHogar Immigrant Education Services relocated April 1st to be closer to those in needThe new education center in Manassas is a gift that embodies the words of Jesus, “When I was a stranger you welcomed me.” LearningEnglish and taking citizenship classes is essential to life in the United States. Being near the action is critical to reaching those in need. As PopeFrancis keeps reminding us, “We are a church of and for the poor. Jesus sends us to everyone."-Fr. Robert Cilinski, Pastor at All Saints Church in ManassasCatholic Charities Board MemberA report on our first90 days:6 ...... levels of ESOL classes that wereoffered, from beginning to advanced288 ...... ESOL and/or Citizenshipstudents who were enrolled in acourse93 ...... the percentage of Citizenshipstudents who passed their naturalizationexam last year58 ...... volunteers who taught ESOLor Citizenship classes98.5 ...... the percentage of theseclients who live below the federalpoverty line“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise."-Blessed Teresa of CalcuttaInspired by the example of MotherTeresa, here at Catholic Charities of theDiocese of Arlington, we pray to receivethe grace to be more virtuous so wemight help more people in need.In this summer edition of The Mission,we hope to show you how God’s loveand the love of His Church open doorsfor the poor in many ways:• Through the relocation of ourEducational Services program to benear those in need of ESOL, Citizenshipand financial literacy courses• Through food distribution to thehungry in our diocese• Through our new counseling hubin Colonial Beach• Through the compelling work ofour Migration and Refugee Servicesprogram to help refugees becomeself-sufficientCatholic Charities’ Hogar ImmigrantEducation Services is planninga financial literacy workshopfor the fall semester. With the helpof Catholic Charities Board MemberFernanda Howard, BB&T bankers willvolunteer to give the workshop.The first workshop will be held in Octoberand will educate Hogar studentsand community members on “Credit inthe United States: What is Good Creditand How to Build Credit in the U.S.”Brooke Hammond Perez, programdirector for Hogar Immigrant EducationServices, is organizing the event alongwith David Ramos, BB&T’s RegionalMulticultural Markets Officer. They alsoThese andother CatholicCharitiesprograms andservices bringthe transformativelove of Christ to our brothers andsisters in need.I hope that you will be moved to joinwith us in bringing our mission to life tohelp the poor, recalling the beautiful admonitionof Mother Teresa: “Each one ofthem is Jesus in disguise."plan to give future financial literacyworkshops on the importance of savingsand first-time home ownership.“We are very excited about this partnershipwith BB&T, as it will afford usthe opportunity to provide additionaleducational offerings to immigrants inthe diocese,” Perez said. “Teaching immigrantshow to navigate the U.S. financialsystem will empower them to participatemore fully in their communities.”GET INVOLVED!If you would like to volunteer or sponsor aworkshop, please contact Brooke HammondPerez at BPerez@ccda.net or 571-208-1572, ext. 101.2 • www.ccda.net www.ccda.net • 3God Bless,Art BennettPresident and CEOCatholic Charities of theDiocese of Arlington