Shravya Raghunand completed her Master of Social Work degree from University of Washington, Seattle. She has experience in community mental health research, clinical social work and community outreach, and is passionate about supporting oppressed communities and promoting social justice. Her interests in refugee work began as an intern at Asian Counseling and Referral Services. Now, she serves as a Primary Care Social Worker at Heartland International Health Center. In her spare time, Shravya supports RefugeeOne by facilitating our Women’s Groups for our African refugees.

Joanna Vergoth has been a practicing psychotherapist in private practice and contracting with agencies in the community for over 18 years. She has advanced training in psychoanalysis, Jungian dream exploration, and creative visualization coupled with gentle body awareness methods. Her areas of expertise include individuals traumatized by a variety of personal and cultural experiences: sexual and physical abuse, the events of 9/11 in New York, mutilation practices ritually preformed in other countries, childhood traumas produced by poverty and racism, as well as serious mental illness created by genetic environments. At RefugeeOne, Joanna will be using her expertise in culturally sensitive treatment to support our Somali, Ethiopian, and Eritrean women through individual and group therapy.

Matthew Lozano is a second-year graduate student at Loyola University Chicago, School of Social Work and holds the Evelyn Dyba scholarship at the university.  He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master’s degree from the University of Winchester, England. Additionally, Matt is a proud lymphoma survivor and has spoken on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He is interested in both individual and group counseling with refugees, cancer fighters, and cancer survivors. At RefugeeOne, Matt uses his skills in working with survivors to facilitate a Burmese Men’s Group.

Caty Harris has a Master’s of Arts in Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago with a specialization in counseling and mental health. She served in the United States Peace Corps from 2006 to 2008 in the Philippines, working with formerly imprisoned youth and with women in the sex industry. Her experience is in the areas family and social systems therapies, trauma recovery and resilience in different cultural environments, individual and group grief counseling for youth affected by domestic and gang violence, and humanistic psychology. Caty is interested in working with refugee populations, because of her experience and interest in working with trauma recovery and resilience in various cultural contexts. To put her experiences to great use, Caty facilitates a Burmese Women’s Group at RefugeeOne and mentors individual clients.

Hugh Cole is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor who has worked with HIV impacted populations since 1988. Hugh attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is currently a Master of Social Work candidate at Loyola University, Chicago.  He began his clinical career at Howard Brown Health Center in Chicago, first as an intern and is currently a member of the Senior Behavioral Health Team as a Substance Abuse Counselor in the Recovering with Pride Program. He has also worked with homeless and underserved populations in supportive housing as a Case Manager at Heartland Alliance. Hugh is particularly interested in working with Refugees as it seems that the stressors experienced by refugee populations may manifest in behaviors that are contradictory to the value systems of individuals within the population, and that group process can be an effective structure in which to validate individual experience and explore more empowering behaviors. Hugh facilitates a Bhutanese Men’s Group to support our refugee men in their adjustment to Chicago.

The CSWWS program operates under the direction of the CSWWS Coordinator and a dedicated team of Case Managers, Interpreters/Outreach Workers, and clinical social work interns from Loyola University Chicago. Together, this group is able to identify those refugee clients who present a variety of mental health needs. The CSWWS staff is trained to provide mental health screenings and, with the guidance of the Coordinator, they are able to implement culturally-appropriate interventions. The interventions range from individual therapy to psychoeducation seminars open to the entire community, and the CSWWS staff work closely to coordinate this wide array of services.

Volunteer Clinicians

Hugh Cole, CADC

Caty Harris, MSW

Matt Lozano

Shravya Raghunand, MSW

Joanna Vergoth, LCSW

Loyola University Chicago, Clinical Social Work Interns:

Amanda Blowers, 1^st year intern

Leah Sennett, 1^st year intern

Alison Korte, 2^nd year intern

Dr. Karlene Goodman, M.D. is the resident psychiatrist for RefugeeOne’s CSWWS program.  She will be providing psychiatric evaluations and on-going clinical support for those clients who need this level of service.  Dr. Goodman is a graduate of University of Illinois at Chicago Medical School and also holds degrees in English and Law.  She has worked with refugee and immigrant populations since 1990 and continues to devote her practice to the same groups.

Dr. Aimee Hilado, PhD, LSW is the Coordinator of the CSWWS program. She has a Ph.D. in Social Work with Distinction and a Master of Science in Applied Child Development. In the CSWWS program, Dr. Hilado overseas daily operations for screening and referrals, provides direct therapeutic services to clients of all ages, and hosts the monthly health and wellness Orientation. In addition, she represents RefugeeOne in the various refugee health and mental health task forces, and provides clinical supervision to all student interns.

Dr. Hilado also serves as adjunct faculty at both Loyola University, Chicago in the School of Social Work. She teaches foundation coursework in clinical social work, courses in early development, and screening/assessment in early childhood. Dr. Hilado’s research and practice efforts have emphasized the importance of early development, social support, mental health, and culturally-sensitive practice with immigrants and refugees.

In June 2011, RefugeeOne established the Clinical Social Work and Wellness Services (CSWWS) program in order to address the mental health needs of RefugeeOne clients. RefugeeOne recognizes the challenging circumstances refugees have endured prior to arriving in the United States. We understand the ways in which experiences of fear, trauma, and loss can impact a client’s ability live full and productive lives. Many clients come through our doors exhibiting symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adjustment disorders, and sometimes symptoms of severe mental illnesses. Thus, the purpose of CSWWS is to identify any mental health needs present, implement the appropriate behavioral support services, and provide on-going resources to support good mental health.

The CSWWS provides a range of services including prevention, early intervention, and treatment services to support clients with mental health needs.  The descriptions below provide details on the specific services currently offered. All clients, from young children to older adults, can access CSWWS services at no cost.

If you are a RefugeeOne client and are interested in services, please contact your Case Manager. If you have questions about the program, call the main line or email us at:

p: (773) 989-5647 | e: info@refugeeone.org

The CSWWS program provides (click link for full description):

• Universal Mental Health Screening of All Arriving Refugees
• Individual & Group Therapy Sessions (adolescent & adult clients)
• Monthly Psychoeducation Seminars (open to all refugee-serving organizations)

About the CSWWS Coordinator: Dr. Aimee Hilado, PhD, LSW

About our CSWWS Psychiatrist: Dr. Karlene Goodman, M.D.

About the CSWWS Staff:

Universal Mental Health Screening of All Arriving Refugees back to top

After the initial adjustment period (approximately 30-60 days), all newly arriving refugee adults will complete a mental health screening. The screening tool was designed to capture the most prevalent mental health needs among refugee clients including symptoms of trauma, depression, and anxiety. Based on screening results, clients can be referred for a variety of clinical services through the CSWWS program or referred to medical centers for more intensive interventions. Young children and adolescents in need of clinical services can be referred to the CSWWS program by staff and parents at any time.

Individual and Group Therapy Sessions (adolescent and adult clients) back to top

Based on the client’s needs and level of comfort, a client may be referred to individual, couples, or group therapy sessions. A consent form, executed by parents/guardians, must be completed for all adolescents under the age of 18 who are seeking CSWWS services. The number of sessions allotted to each client will be based on need and periodic evaluations with the clinician. These services are provided to RefugeeOne clients at no cost. Referrals from other refugee-resettlement agencies will not be accepted at this time but please contact us if you have further inquiries.

Monthly Psychoeducation Seminars (open to all refugee-serving organizations) back to top

Education and awareness are effective prevention strategies to support good mental health. Each month, the CSWWS Coordinator will host a psychoeducation seminar that will address various mental health topics. These sessions are open to all staff and clients. The following are examples of seminar topics:

• How to support good mental health
• Identifying the signs of depression
• Understanding your medications and immunizations
• Managing panic attacks with relaxation techniques
• Combating domestic violence and family violence
• Bullying: How to support your child in school
• Positive parenting and the importance of early development
• Bridging the gap: Managing inter-generational conflict
• Female Genital Cutting: Clinical and supportive services for women who have been cut

RefugeeOne provides immigration services for immigrants and refugees, who, once established in the U.S., need help maintaining their legal residency status, reuniting with family members, and achieving U.S. citizenship status. RefugeeOne employs four certified Immigration Specialists, all of whom are accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Together these specialists provide services in RefugeeOne’s Chicago and Waukegan offices.

Our Immigration Specialists provide various direct services for clients including (but not limited to) the following:
•Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
•Asylum applications
•Employment Authorization
•Visa processing
•Consulate processing
•Alien petitions
•Travel documents
•VAWA petitions

RefugeeOne’s Immigration Services are provided to immigrants and refugees on a “sliding scale” basis, depending on the client’s income.

Contact us:

p: (773) 989-5647 | e: info@refugeeone.org

To learn more about RefugeeOne’s Employment Program, please contact:

p: (773) 989-5647 | e: info@refugeeone.org

RefugeeOne resettles hundreds of refugees from around the world who are fleeing war, persecution, violence, or genocide. Resettlement is often difficult and stressful. To assist, RefugeeOne provides a comprehensive and multi-faceted range of programs that empower newly-arrived refugees with the support and the skills necessary for successfully rebuilding their new lives.

Under the caring guidance of RefugeeOne’s Case Workers, refugees are relocated into new homes, receive days of Group Orientation, as well as comprehensive Family Adjustment Services. They also learn English skills, and receive vocational training and counseling in a compassionate, non-threatening environment. All services are provided with a single goal in mind: to provide refugees with happy, self-sufficient new lives within the United States.

RefugeeOne coordinates the reception and placement of newly-arrived refugees through the sponsorship of local congregations, community groups, and individual sponsors.

If you are interested in sponsoring a refugee or refugee family please contact us:

p: (773) 989-5647 | e: info@refugeeone.org

RefugeeOne’s Immigration Assistance Program
Serving Chicago’s Newcomers with Dignity

As refugees and immigrants remain in the United States, their status may be adjusted to permanent resident and later, citizen. Others need assistance with travel documents or petitions to bring other relatives to the United Sates.

Unfortunately, dealing with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS, formerly the INS) can be a daunting experience that means long lines, and even longer forms. To assist newcomers through this bureaucratic maze, RefugeeOne’s Immigration Services Program provides clients with high quality, personal attention at a reasonable, often-negligible cost.

The Immigration Program provides:

Free Citizenship Classes-These classes are taught throughout the city and suburbs to provide students with the information they need to pass the citizenship exam, and learn what is involved in the citizenship interview process.

Our experienced staff also provides assistance in the following areas:

* Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
* Visa processing
* Counselor processing
* Work authorization
* Travel documents
* Immediate relative petitions
* VAWA petitions for women who need to self-petition for immigration relief without relying on an abusive spouse
* Asylum applications

Recently, our efforts to assist immigrants have extended to the Chicago suburb, Waukegan, where our goal is to provide quality immigration service through our community outreach program. In Waukegan, as in other communities with a large immigrant population, RefugeeOne is able to provide “Know Your Rights” seminars through the assistance of local congregations and community social service providers thus educating the public of their rights in the United States.

Donate now to help refugees and immigrants to attain their US Citizenship.

For more information about RefugeeOne’s Immigration Program, please contact:

p: (773) 989-5647 | e: info@refugeeone.org

“RefugeeOne’s Youth Program is a place of hope and dreams. It is a place of rebirth of dreams of the children from around the world. To me, the Center is my home.” -Espoire, 15, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Through RefugeeOne’s Youth Program, over 100 refugee children and teenagers are provided with the resources they need to successfully transition into their new surroundings. Our dedicated staff members serve as liaisons between refugee families and their schools, helping families to understand school policies, accompanying them to registration and the first day of school, acting as emergency contacts, and providing parenting workshops to address topics that affect children’s academic performance. They also arrange separate report card pickup times for refugee families and accompany families to the school with interpreters to ensure that parents understand their students’ academic progress.

Refugee youth enroll in schools all around the Chicago area, including the Chicago Public Schools, near north and suburban school districts, and private schools. In 2010, youth program staff secured spots for about half of RefugeeOne’s children in charter, magnet, and private schools, which are generally higher-performing schools where children receive more specialized attention. Once children are enrolled in school, youth program staff maintain close contact with school staff for the first two to three years to ensure that students transition smoothly and succeed academically.

During the school year, RefugeeOne offers an after-school program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3-6 PM that allows students to receive 1-1 homework help and ESL tutoring from staff and volunteers, participate in team-building and conflict resolution games, and enjoy extra-curricular activities such as art, music, and athletics. The after-school program also includes occasional field trips to local cultural institutions and workshops on topics such as health, hygiene, and prevention of high-risk behavior such as gang involvement and drugs.

In the summer months, ESL activities, art, music, and athletics are offered through a six-week summer camp, allowing our youth to experience activities and subject areas that are not always available to them in their schools. Throughout the year, the Youth Program also hosts several special events. The Back-to-School Party in August invites youth and their families to celebrate the beginning of a new school year, and all children receive free backpacks and school supplies. Halloween and the Holiday Party are two other exciting events, where children go trick-or-treating for the first time, and receive their first presents from Santa.

RefugeeOne relies heavily on volunteer support to make the Youth Program possible. Many volunteers supervise and lead ESL and enrichment activities during the summer program. Others serve during the school year as after-school tutors and/or mentors. All volunteers make a six month minimum commitment to the Youth Program to ensure sufficient time to develop strong relationships.

English Language Training

Learning the English language is one of the most difficult challenges facing our newly arrived immigrants and refugees. RefugeeOne’s English Language Training Program empowers students to learn the language so that they can take advantage of the wealth of opportunities available to them in their new home. Classes are taught five days a week by our patient and knowledgeable staff. Four levels of classes are available to accommodate students arriving with different skill levels.

For more information about RefugeeOne’s English Language Training Program, please contact:

p: (773) 989-5647 | e: info@refugeeone.org

Over 70% of refugees are women. Many have been widowed or have lost children to violence, and most have been oppressed and victimized in their home countries. Women refugees often struggle with chronic depression and anxiety, making it difficult for them to integrate successfully into a new society.

The Women’s Program was founded to meet the needs of women refugees. Its overall purpose is to help women become self-sufficient while also building community in their new home of Chicago. From decreasing social isolation and facilitating clients’ achievement, to increasing English language skills and enhancing employability, RefugeeOne works in partnership with women to help empower their integration into mainstream US culture with respect to their traditions, culture and religious beliefs.

Since its inception, the Women’s Program has listened closely to the needs of project beneficiaries, and incorporated these needs into our program design. As a result, this program has grown exponentially in direct response to their concerns and requests. The Program is free of charge.

The Women’s Program includes five components:

Mentorship and Befriending:

Individualized, one-on-one mentorship is invaluable. Volunteers and clients are matched and get together weekly to practice English, cook, talk or help solve daily dilemmas. The connection achieved in these relationships is key to helping women find more grounding in their new society.

English Classes:

Specially designed for pre-literate and semi-literate refugee and immigrant women, English classes are offered at two sites in Albany Park and Rogers Park. Childcare is provided on-site.

Educational Workshops:

Monthly women’s groups are held for each ethnic group. The goal of the group is to create a safe environment in which women can discuss their problems, fears, joys, creating a support system to help them through the trials of their new lives. Various speakers are brought in to discuss important topics, and the ladies are taken on field trips to show them around the city.

Craft Classes:

Teaching sewing and entrepreneurial skills in an interactive, hands-on forum, twice weekly – sewing classes are fun and allow women to gain employable skill sets. Knitting classes are held once a week. Art, jewelry making and yoga classes have been enjoyed by many ladies.

Additional Programs:

The Women’s Program coordinates additional programs to support the successful resettlement of our refugee clients. A pregnancy support group meets bi-monthly. Cooking classes are offered once a month. A new gardening program has recently started, with the hope of offering our clients the opportunity to grow their own vegetables and create a refugee urban farm. Special events such as International Women’s Day and Women’s Health Week are organized annually. A pilot mentorship program is being facilitated, with the goals of training clients to serve their communities as mentors. Driver’s Education classes were offered in conjunction with the Pan African Association. Depending on the needs of the community served, programs are flexible and new offerings are constantly being evaluated.

For more information about the Women’s Program, contact:

p: (773) 989-5647 | e: info@refugeeone.org

Vocational Training Program

RefugeeOne’s computer training program provides students with the tools they need to find employment in the competitive American job market.

Computer training is offered in the following areas and is available to students with any level of computer experience:

• Drafting/AutoCAD class

In this very useful course, students are taught how to produce drawings from existing blueprints and technical data. Upon graduation, all students will be able to successfully draw and manipulate computer generated drawings. Students will be prepared for an entry-level job in the technical field.

• Basic: Microsoft Word & Keyboarding

This course offers an introduction to word processing and keyboarding. Students will learn how to format documents with text and images, and reach a goal of 20 WPM with keyboarding practice.

• Internet & Online Job Application

Students will learn how to effectively use the Internet to look for and apply to job postings. This course includes practices like setting up an email address, learning how to attach a document, and how to appropriately write and respond to an email.

For more information about RefugeeOne’s Computer Training Program, contact:

p: (773) 989-5647 | e: info@refugeeone.org

Senior refugees and immigrants face unique and formidable barriers that may prevent them from successfully resettling in our country. Many of these individuals have witnessed unimaginable atrocities, and suffered the loss of loved ones. Their difficulties are further compounded by a lack of English skills, social isolation due to physical infirmities, financial insecurity, and intergenerational challenges.

RefugeeOne’s Senior Services Initiative strives to remedy these problems. To help seniors overcome their challenges, the Senior Services Initiative offers an array of services.

Case Management Services- Caring and dedicated caseworkers complete a comprehensive needs assessments for each client along with the development and fulfillment of an individualized Care Plan. These services also provide individualized assistance for elderly immigrants and refugees who wish to obtain US citizenship.

Community Forums-These provide information on relevant topics, such as financial management, transportation, housing, health and nutrition, safety, legal, immigration issues, and community support services.

For more information about the Senior Services Initiatives, please contact:

p: (773) 989-5647 | e: info@refugeeone.org