Millions of families worldwide are living as refugees, uprooted by war, persecution or natural disaster. A few of these families are finding a new home in Lane County, thanks to a refugee placement program that is spearheaded by a local community task force and coordinated by Catholic Community Services of Lane County.
Local faith-based groups, service organizations, and concerned community members have joined together to form the Refugee Resettlement Coalition of Lane County. The coalition is working with CCS to welcome and support the refugee families coming to Lane County. Select one of the links below for ways that you can get involved.
You can be involved in this. To add your name to the Refugee Resettlement Coalition of Lane County email list, simply email refugee@ccslc.org and ask to be added to the list.
- Submit the online application tobecome a general refugee program volunteer.
- Submit the online application tobecome a volunteer Cultural Navigator. This volunteer role requires additional orientation and training and a minimum 12 month commitment.
- Sign up todonate a specific needed item for a refugee family.
- Make acash donation to support the refugee resettlement program
The following documents provide more information:
Refugee Program Announcement 05-11-2016
Frequently Asked Questions updated 5-11-2016
Refugee Program Participation Overview
Pdf version of the online application to become a general refugee program volunteer
Parishes Organized to Welcome Refugees May-June 2016
The program in Lane County is currently limited to 35 or fewer refugees (individual family members) per year. Refugee families are coming to Lane County through the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops/Migration and Refugee Service, the largest refugee resettlement agency in the nation.
On September 7, 2016, the first refugee family arrived. Click on this link to see and hear this tired and grateful family.
http://nbc16.com/news/local/syrian-refugee-family-arrives-in-eugene
Our own Jim Anderson and his wife, Pat, are involved in these good works.
Imagine the relief of arriving in our beautiful city and the sadness of feeling unsafe in one’s own country.
Welcome to Lane County, Oregon. May you receive only love and caring from our community.
Submitted by Anne O’Brien