Refugee Services

Our resettlement work dates back to the 1940s, when we began assisting individuals and families who were forced to flee their homelands. Since the 1980s, we have resettled more than 10,500 individuals. Through our Refugee Services Program, Catholic Charities assists individuals and families that must leave their homelands due to the fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, and/or political opinion.

Our refugee resettlement programs address a wide array of needs, including initial resettlement, employment services, school support for children, and long-term, intensive case management. We promote successful integration by providing holistic, wraparound, and trauma-informed services that focus on uplifting the dignity and respect of each individual and their unique culture and traditions.

Our Services

Newly arriving refugees are greeted at the airport and begin working with staff to meet their essential needs, including safe and affordable housing, furnishings, food, and clothing to take the steps on their path to rebuilding their lives. Case managers also coordinate referrals to other service providers, community organizations, and schools.

Catholic Charities ensures that refugees are properly resettled and connected to available services and support in Oregon, including health care, job training, English language instruction, and other public benefits for which refugees are eligible. Case managers provide psycho-social support as clients work through the cultural adjustment to the United States, process often traumatic life experiences, and prepare for their new futures in Oregon.

We also offer specific support based on each person’s qualifying status:

For refugees, asylees, and SIV holders:

• Airport welcome
• Case management
• Employment services
• Housing and furnishing support
• Food assistance
• Cultural Orientation
• Applications or referrals to relevant services through the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), healthcare clinics, and other social service providers.
• For eligible clients, we offer the Preferred Communities Program, which provides culturally sensitive counseling, peer support, and intensive case management to those who have experienced trauma or need extra support to achieve self-sufficiency.
• For individuals or families who have not yet received their Asylum Approval Notification, we encourage them to reach out to our  Immigration Legal Services program.

For loved ones of refugees abroad:

• Family reunification
• We are also able to help obtain information about current cases abroad.

Whom We Serve

Our Refugee Services program assists individuals and families who have been identified by the UNHCR and the U.S. government to qualify for refugee status, meaning they have been forced to flee their home country to escape persecution, war, or violence:

• Refugees
• Asylees
• SIV holders

Referral information

Catholic Charities provides a variety of services and resources to individuals and families with qualifying statuses through federal- and state-funded programs. You can also help connect someone in need to our services by contacting our Refugee Services team.

Learn more about our referral program

Program Leadership

Matthew Westerbeck, Director of Refugee Services
Claudia Muñoz, Program Manager