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Local Help Centers in Rochester Provide Resettlement Services for Somali Refugees
The Catholic Family Center (CFC) and the Somali Community and Outreach Education Center (SCOEC) are local help centers located in Rochester, NY to provide
resettlement services. They are currently offering resettlement services such as employment referral and housing assistance on an ongoing and as needed basis. Due to the extreme civil and political unrest in the country of Somalia, many of you have traveled to the United States to leave the chaos and begin a secure life here. The help centers can be an important part of transitioning into life here in the United States with the help and comfort of a familiar, cultural community. CFC offers a variety of resettlement programs and assistance, however the following services, as listed on their website, are considered to be the Core Resettlement Services: airport reception, basic needs assistance such as the provision of initial food, clothing, and personal items, assistance finding reliable housing and furnishings, community and cultural orientation, assistance obtaining social security cards, referrals and assistance accessing services from medical, educational, employment, and public benefit agencies, and case management. These services can be obtained during the initial 6 month resettlement period. Additional refugee services include: employment assistance, transitional services support, refugee trainings and ethnic community workshops, immigration assistance, and interpreting and translating assistance. These services may be utilized for up to five years from the date of arrival. During an interview with the Refugee Resettlement Program Supervisor, Jim Morris of the Catholic Family Center, he mentions, "It is easy to be overwhelmed with starting life over in another country, we're here to help make the process not only less overwhelming, but the best it can be for them. Many refugees have found immediate physical relief and comfort through our services, but have also thrived because of the connections made with other Somalis with similar stories and cultural comforts." As noted on their website, SCOEC also offers an assortment of resettlement programs and services including: job search, employment referral, housing assistance, transportation, translation and interpretation, child care and parental education, after school program, youth and sport program, citizenship, counseling, case management, and cultural orientation. Established two years ago, SCOEC has played an important role in welcoming refugees mostly from Somalia but also from other countries Burma, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Mohamoud Abdirashid serves as the Executive Director of Somali Community and Outreach Education Center and during a phone interview declares "We have seen so much growth and prosperity within the refugee community and it is our pleasure to offer these services to help and assist each individual and family to become independent and confident in their life here in America." SCOEC is eager to give the tools, resources, and support that could make the difference of not only living essentials but the quality of life as a refugee in this country. To feel at home away from home, but to also be able to adapt and thrive in a new place is what they hope for each refugee and their families. Both centers are located in Monroe County in Rochester, New York. Catholic Family Center is located at 87 Clinton Avenue; Rochester, NY 14604. If you are interested in learning more about what they have to offer, you can visit them, contact Jim Morris, Refugee Resettlement Program Supervisor at 585-546-7220 ext. 4624. Their website is: http://www.rochesterrefugeenetwork.org/en/cfc. Somali Community and Outreach Education Center is located at 224 Mount Hope Avenue; Rochester, NY 14620. To learn more about their services, you can contact Mohamoud Abdirashid, Executive Director at 585-414-0004. Their website is: http://www.rochesterrefugeenetwork.org/en/ethnic-communities/somali-community-center. |