Refugee Resettlement Program

 

Opening Doors’ Resettlement Program helps those who have been forced to flee their home countries remake their lives in our community.

 

Each year thousands of men, women and children flee persecution, violence and war in search of refuge in a foreign land. Many of these people escape with little more than the clothes on their backs. The majority will spend years in refugee camps; surviving day to day in uncertain and often unsafe living conditions. For those who remain in camps for years, unable to return home safely, resettlement in a third country often becomes the only option. After several interviews, background checks and medical examinations a select few of these refugees are accepted for resettlement in the United States.

 

This year approximately 150 refugees will come to Sacramento through Opening Doors, Inc.

 

The goal of the Opening Doors’ Resettlement Program is to assist our clients with all aspects of resettlement and assimilation into a new country and way of life. Refugees come to us through our affiliate, Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program that is under contract to the United States Department of State. Staff and volunteers go to work before the individual or family arrives, renting an apartment and furnishing it with everything the newcomers will require. The much needed furniture and household items are largely supplied through the generous donations of local congregations and other community members.

 

On the day of arrival, the staff/volunteer team meets the family at the airport and transports them to their new home. They then act as advocates, helping to ensure that the clients receive access to any resources they may need including medical care, English Language education and job development opportunities. We remain in constant contact with each of our clients for the first six months of their resettlement, providing guidance as they begin to tackle the challenges they face to become self sufficient, self reliant and productive members of society. Read a refugee’s story.

 

As a small program with only two staff members dedicated to resettlement, we rely heavily on the hard work and generosity of interns and community volunteers. Community members can get involved with our program in a variety of ways. Each of our volunteer opportunities offers a wonderful chance to make a difference in the life of a family; however most of our volunteers report that the personal benefits they receive have far outweighed that which they were able to give.

 

Learn more about volunteering for the Refugee Resettlement Program.

 

Learn more about donating needed household items.

 

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.