How We Help

Every year, RefugeeOne welcomes hundreds of refugees through the U.S. State Departments Refugee Admissions Program. Having fled violence, persecution, and war, vulnerable refugees from around the world come to the U.S. to rebuild their lives. Resettlement is a long and often difficult process. With your support, RefugeeOne not only equips refugees with the skills needed to survive, but provides a full range of coordinated services that empower refugees to build the foundation for a flourishing life here in the United States. 

 

Resettlement Services

Under the care of our dedicated case workers, RefugeeOne provides all new arrivals with a furnished apartment, as well as cultural orientation and comprehensive family adjustment services. We also help them learn English, prepare for the American workforce, and find jobs. The ultimate goal of our programs is to help refugees become self-sufficient in as few as 6 to 9 months.​

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English Language Training​

Learning English is the single most important skill for new Americans to become self-reliant. Our English Language Training program empowers students to learn English so they can take advantage of the wealth of opportunities available to them in their new home. We offer four levels of classes to accommodate students with different language abilities.

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Workforce Development

Finding a first job is a critical step for newly-arrived refugee families. We aim to help every adult refugee secure a full-time job that pays a living wage within 3 months of arrival. ​Our staff help refugees gather documents needed for work, create resumes, search for jobs, prepare for interviews, and learn to use public transportation to get to their new jobs.
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After obtaining employment, we provide post-employment counseling to help clients understand benefit packages, health insurance, tax forms and banking. We also assist with any conflicts that may arise in the workplace by providing culturally sensitive mediation.

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Sewing Studio

​Piloted in 2017, RefugeeOne’s vocational sewing program provides refugee women with an opportunity to develop marketable job skills and new economic opportunity. The Sewing Studio offers beginner and advanced courses, each of which include a vocational English Language Training component and equip students to make alterations, find work, build a social network, and earn income from home.​

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Wellness Program

RefugeeOne provides trauma-informed health and mental health care designed specifically for displaced refugees and immigrants through our Wellness Program. We identify health and mental health needs through universal screenings, implement appropriate treatment/service plans, and provide ongoing resources to promote overall wellbeing. Young children to older adult refugees can access our diverse supportive services including: individual/group therapy; home visiting for families with young children; support groups for LGBTQ populations, pregnant moms, or survivors of domestic violence; medical case management; and dental services.

Read our 10-year Wellness Program report here!

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Dental Clinic

Many refugees have gone without dental care their entire lives. Once in the U.S., high quality, affordable dental care is nearly impossible for refugees to secure, particularly from healthcare experts who can speak their languages or address their cultural concerns.
 
RefugeeOne’s Dental Clinic provides refugees with free, onsite, and comprehensive dental care that contributes to their sense of wholeness and overall wellbeing. We partner with University of Illinois College of Dentistry, volunteer dentists and RefugeeOne staff who speak over 30 languages to provide this essential care.

​Click here to read more.

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Youth & Young Adults Program

Refugee youth are tremendously resilient but they face significant challenges when they arrive in Chicago, from learning English and navigating life in a new culture to adapting to the rigors of the American school system. Our Youth program helps more than 500 school-aged refugees every year to adjust, grow, and excel through the following services: School Readiness Program; After-School Program; Summer Day Camp; In-Home Tutoring and Mentoring; Career Counseling & Mentorship; Parent Education and Support; Behavioral Health.

​ ​Click here to read more. 

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Women's Services

Around 50% of the world's refugees are women. Many have been widowed or lost children to violence, and most have been oppressed in their home countries. Despite these challenges, moving to the U.S. can enable refugee women and girls to take on new roles and instigate positive change for themselves, their families, and their community. Our services for women provide social outlets to decrease social isolation, encourage English language practice, and boost confidence to enhance employable skill sets. Newly arrived refugee women are matched with volunteer mentors, who meet with refugees weekly to practice English, navigate public transit, go grocery shopping, and access community services. ​ 

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Immigration Assistance 

RefugeeOne provides immigration and citizenship assistance for refugees and immigrants living in the U.S. who need help maintaining legal residency status, reuniting with family members, asylum status, and obtaining U.S. citizenship status. We employ immigration attorneys who provide services in our Headquarters in West Rogers Park office.
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Our immigration services, provided on a “sliding scale” basis, include: Temporary Protected Status (TPS), asylum applications, Employment Authorization, Visa processing, consulate processing, alien petitions, travel documents, and VAWA petitions.

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