Refugee Resettlement Office
Seattle, WA
Advisory Committee Member Position Open
Refugee Resettlement Office (RRO) ministries for the Diocese of Olympia, is seeking an advisory committee member to join the current advisory committee.
Refugee Resettlement Office Background Information
Millions of people become refugees after escaping tyranny, poverty, destruction, and persecution at home. Every year, some gain permanent residence in a resettlement country such as Australia, France, Canada, or the United States. A small portion of the worldwide population of refugees will find themselves in Seattle, Washington. One of 5 local resettlement agencies, the Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), which operates through the Diocese of Olympia, will greet these new arrivals and help them build a new life. The Diocese of Olympia’s Refugee Resettlement, an affiliate of EMM, has provided needed assistance to over 15,000 refugees since opening its doors in 1978. This assistance can be food and shelter, orientation to Seattle, ESL, job search assistance, workplace training, financial literacy education, micro-savings and micro-finance programs. The Refugee Resettlement Office primarily serves Seattle but also reaches out to low-income refugees and immigrants in greater King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.
Mission
The Diocese of Olympia’s Refugee Resettlement Office helps refugees and asylees achieve economic self-sufficiency. Our mission is accomplished through resettlement, job placement activities and business development programs.
Refugee Resettlement Office provides the following services to newly arrived refugees.
Description of the services
Resettlement Service:
- Meet the refugee at the airport
- Provide decent, safe, furnished housing and food for at least 30days
English Language Instruction:
- Provide ESL Classroom instruction
- Provide lessons that include work-related topics to help students prepare for employment while learning English
Employment Placement:
- Assist with job search (refer client to opportunities that match their job skills, English proficiency etc)
- Resume writing
Social Service:
- There are variety of social services to mention the few
- Assists clients with Immigration petitions
- Assists with the application for public housing
- Medical appointment
- Family violence
Individual Development Account (IDA)
- Is a matched saving account that help refugee with their first vehicle purchase, account for homeownership, education or business
Microenterprise
- Provides business technical assistance and loans to emerging and established refugee owned business.
Advisory committee Purpose
- To discuss key strategic issues facing the RRO programs and advise the Diocesan Council, the Bishop of Olympia, and RRO management
- To serve as community ambassador for RRO, promoting understanding of RRO services, program stability and support for RRO within and outside the Episcopal Church.
Initial Goals
- Learn about RRO programs through presentations, site visits and other means, so that you are well informed and able to advocate for the programs.
Expectations of Refugee Resettlement Office Advisory Committee (RROAC)
- Regular attendance at RROAC meetings (Quarterly)
- Contribute your expertise and ides to help RROAC achieve its goals.
- Be available between meetings to offer advice to staff if requested.
- Allow the RRO to publish your name as a member of the RROAC.
Terms:
RROAC members will be asked to commit for at least three-year term. At the end of the first term, you may choose to sign up for another three-year term. RROAC may serve two consecutive three-year terms.
For more information please email Greg at greg.m.hope@gmail.com
Thank you,
The Refugee Resettlement office