Volunteer Orientation Refugee Assistance & Immigration Services (RAIS)

What does the term refugee mean? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25bwiSikRsI

A refugee is a person who: “ owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.” United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR)

Immigrants, Asylees and Internally Displaced Persons Immigrants are individuals who voluntarily move in search of opportunity. Asylees flee their home country for the same reasons as refugees but resettle on their own and apply for refugee benefits when they reach asylum. Internally Displaced Persons are people who have been forced to flee their home for the same reasons as a refugee, but remains in his or her own country and has not crossed an international border. Asylees are the same as refugees. The only difference is how they get here.

United States: Refugee Statistics 19.5 million refugees worldwide U.S. Dept. of State sets annual limit. This year we will receive 85,000 refugees The United States is the largest resettlement country in the world, each year receiving more than half of all refugees resettled worldwide Less than 1% of refugees are resettled 10.5-14 million refugees at any given time. Only 1% of the 19.5 million refugees are resettled Obama just announced that in the year 2017 the United States will accept a total of 110,000 refugees- increasing our acceptance by 60%

How do Refugees get to Anchorage, AK? United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) US Department of State US Dept. of Homeland Security National Voluntary Agency: United States Council of Catholic Bishops Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services (RAIS) http://www.rcusa.org/uploads/pdfs/Refugee%20resettlement%20-%20step%20by%20step%20USCRI.pdf —STEP 1 Refugee Status: In most cases the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) determines that the individual qualifies as a refugee under international law. A refugee is someone who has fled from his or her home country and cannot return because he or she has a well-founded fear of persecution based on religion, race, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. —STEP 2 Referral to the United States: A refugee that meets one of the criteria for resettlement in the United States is referred to the U.S. government by UNHCR, a U.S. Embassy, or a trained Non-Governmental Organization. —STEP 3 Resettlement Support Center: A Resettlement Support Center (RSC), contracted by the U.S. Department of State, compiles the refugee’s personal data and background information for the security clearance process and to present to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for an in-person interview. —STEP 4 Security Clearance Process: With information collected by the RSC, a number of security checks are conducted. The State Department runs the names of all refugees referred to the United States for resettlement through a standard CLASS (Consular Lookout and Support System) name check. In addition, enhanced interagency security checks were phased in beginning in 2008 and applied to all refugee applicants by 2010. —STEP 5 Security Clearance Process: Certain refugees undergo an additional security review called a Security Advisory Opinion (SAO). These cases require a positive SAO clearance from a number of U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies in order to continue the resettlement process. When required, this step runs concurrently with Step 4. —STEP 6 Security Clearance Process: Refugees who meet the minimum age requirement have their fingerprints and photograph taken by a trained U.S. government employee, usually on the same day as their DHS interview. The fingerprints are then checked against various U.S. government databases and information on any matches is reviewed by DHS. —STEP 7 In-person Interview: All refugee applicants are interviewed by an officer from DHS’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A trained officer will travel to the country of asylum* to conduct a detailed, face-to- face interview with each refugee applicant being considered for resettlement. Based on the information in the refugee’s case file and on the interview, the DHS officer will determine if the individual qualifies as a refugee and is admissible under U.S. law. —STEP 8 DHS Approval: If the USCIS officer finds that the individual qualifies as a refugee and meets other U.S. admission criteria, the officer will conditionally approve the refugee’s application for resettlement and submit it to the U.S. Department of State for final processing. Conditional approvals become final once the results of all security checks (Steps 4, 5, and 6) have been received and cleared. —STEP 9 Medical Screening: All refugee applicants approved for resettlement in the U.S. are required to undergo medical screening conducted by the International Organization for Migration or a physician designated by the U.S. Embassy. —STEP 10 Matching Refugees with a Sponsor Agency: Every refugee is assigned to a Voluntary Agency in the U.S., such as the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI). USCRI will place refugees with a local partner agency or office that will assist refugees upon their arrival in the U.S. —STEP 11 Cultural Orientation: In addition, refugees approved for resettlement are offered cultural orientation while waiting for final processing, to prepare them for their journey to and initial resettlement in the United States. —STEP 12 Security Clearance Process: Prior to departure to the U.S., a second interagency check is conducted for most refugees to check for any new information. Refugees must clear this check in order to depart to the U.S. —STEP 13 Admission to the United States: Upon arrival at one of five U.S. airports designated as ports of entry for refugee admissions, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will review the refugee documentation and conduct additional security checks to ensure that the arriving refugee is the same person who was screened and approved for admission to the United States. More Helful Links: http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c125.html http://www.state.gov/j/prm/index.htm http://www.usccb.org/about/resettlement-services/index.cfm

Refugee Assistance & Immigration Services (RAIS) RAIS is one of 8 programs of Catholic Social Services. RAIS is the only refugee resettlement program in Alaska. Approximately 125 refugees resettle to Alaska each year. RAIS is funded with Federal funds as well as donations and contributions from individuals and groups. QUESTION: Who sets the cap for the refugees coming to RAIS

Alaska’s Refugees Uzbekistan Ukraine Iraq Bhutan Burma The DRC Sudan Somalia Ethiopia Eritrea

RAIS works with clients for their first 5 years in the United States Program Overview RAIS works with clients for their first 5 years in the United States Our program is divided in 4 main services: Reception and Placement Case Management Education & Employment Immigration

Reception and Placement Reception and Placement supports clients during their first 3 months of resettlement in Anchorage Airport pick-up Finding an apartment Furnishing the apartment Scheduling medical appointments Applying for US documentations (AK IDs, Social Security, Employment Authorization Documents) Enrolling children in school Teaching Alaska 101

Case Management Case Managers work intensively with the client for their few years of resettlement Apply for public benefits (public assistance, housing, SSI) Referrals for other services Home visits Self-sufficiency planning

Education and Employment Clients start attending classes within the first 2 weeks of arrival Welcome Center Classes: Orientation to Life Skills English Classes Job Readiness Employment

(E&E) Orientation to Life Skills This class gives clients an overview of life in the United States. The class focuses on building self-sufficiency skills through the following topics: Bus Training English Skills Financial Literacy Maintaining Health Home Safety Living in Alaska US Laws and Values Winter Preparedness

(E&E) Language Skills Because English is new to many clients, RAIS offers different resources to aid in learning how to speak and understand English during their time of resettlement. Nine Star Education Beginner to Advanced ESL classes English Tutoring Resource provided by RAIS volunteers and welcome center workers

(E&E) Job Readiness Job Readiness Classes: Building a Resume Searching for Jobs Applying for Jobs Practicing Computer Skills Interviewing Practice Discussing Job Safety

(E&E) Employment Within the first 6 months of arriving to Anchorage 85-92% of our clients are employed!

Volunteer Opportunities

RAIS Volunteer Opportunities Meals Teams Moving Teams Welcome Teams English Tutors Family Mentors Professional Mentors Donation Drives

Assigned specific months of the year. Meals Teams Meals Teams are made up of organizations around Alaska who supply food for incoming refugees for the first two weeks of their resettlement process. Assigned specific months of the year.

Moving Teams RAIS has heavy furniture that needs to be moved to apartments before clients arrive to Anchorage. If you have a moving van or truck and strong muscles RAIS could use your help! Teams work great! Flexible scheduling

Welcome Teams Welcome a refugee family to Anchorage by collecting household items from RAIS’ donation room, transporting them to the new apartment and setting everything up before the family arrives to Anchorage! Teams of 2-3 people although not limited Weekdays 9am- 5pm

English Tutors Help a client learn English by meeting once a week and practicing basic English! Basic-advanced weekly English practice Meetings take place in the client’s home until comfortable to leave home English Tutors meet once a month to discuss challenges, successes and new ideas

Family Mentors Support a newly arrived refugee family by spending time helping them become accustomed to the American lifestyle in Anchorage, Alaska. Meet once a week for 3-6 months inside and outside of the home exploring and learning about life here in the United States Family Mentors meet once a month to discuss challenges, successes and new ideas

Professional Mentors Become a Professional Mentor and help a client with their personal career pathway planning by meeting once a week to encourage, plan and execute. Practice computer skills LinkedIn Writing resumes and cover letters Apply for jobs Practice interviewing Apply for university University prep

Donation Drives Kitchen Sets Healthy Start Kits Bucket Basics Plate, bowl, cup, mug, utensils Healthy Start Kits Pillow case, towel, wash cloth, shampoo, hair conditioner, bar of soap, tooth brush, toothpaste, dental floss, razor, deodorant Bucket Basics Kitchen trash can, sponges, paper towels, bathroom/kitchen cleaner, laundry detergent, broom, trash bags, dish soap Gardening Kit Shovel, gardening gloves, planting seeds Always coordinate with volunteer coordinator

Other Volunteer Opportunities Let us know any ideas you have  1. Teach clients how to drive 2. Drive clients to appointments 3. Clean the Welcome Center 4. Watch children at the WC 5. Manage the RAIS front desk 6. Teach computer classes at WC 7. Organize the donation room 8. Help clients apply for jobs at the WC

Important Things to Consider Time commitment as a RAIS volunteer Fragile population Consider client’s backgrounds Don’t forget to listen Always be respectful Language doesn’t reflect intelligence Clients are their own person

Religious Sensitivity Religious freedom is a right we all have in this country. If the client does not share your beliefs, you must not try to convert them to your religious beliefs. Keep in mind that their religion may be one reason they were persecuted in their home country. In order for the clients to be successful in the United States they must feel safe to practice their specific faith. Trying to convert a refugee to your faith is strictly prohibited by federal rules.

Next Steps 1. Complete Catholic Social Services Volunteer Application 3. Chose the program you want to work with, and coordinate a time to start volunteering with Clara!  2. RAIS Volunteer Orientation

Clara Williams– Refugee Volunteer Coordinator Contact Information Clara Williams– Refugee Volunteer Coordinator Email: cwilliams@cssalaska.org Phone:907-222-7359 Location: Catholic Social Services-Refugee Assistance and Immigrant Services 3710 E. 20th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99508

Resources for You! Cultural Backgrounders English Help RAIS Dropbox Give background information about client’s background, culture and history they have come from. http://www.culturalorientation.net/learning/backgrounders English Help https://esllibrary.com/courses username: ibraman@cssalaska.org password: Cssalaska1 RAIS Dropbox RAIS Resource Library A Library available to volunteers to aid them in helping the clients the best they can. Cultural Informational Books Movies Cook books Volunteer Manual

RAIS Dropbox Best Practices Health & Medications Safety in the Home Folders & Files & Web Links to help You Download files & follow links Best Practices Health & Medications Safety in the Home Activity Ideas “Time” Concept & Teaching Language Tools Translations Cultural Awareness Country-specific Tools & Documents Religious Information Drop Box Link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rr3brm8t5x44bkc/AAC-N9EXBhLwDGaho6TcKRYMa?oref=e

Thank you for caring about refugees here in Anchorage, Alaska!