Connecticut Immigrant And Refugee Coalition Inc

PROMOTE THE RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES IN CONNECTICUT AND TO FOSTER THEIR CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND FACILIATE THEIR ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS.

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF GREENWICH, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO OPERATE ITS REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, RESETTLING AFGHAN AND UKRAINIAN FAMILIES IN GREATER HARTFORD. ALONG WITH ONGOING POLICY AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS, THE ORGANIZATION TRANSITIONED INTO AN ACTIVE ROLE IN REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT. THIS EXPANSION OF SERVICES ALLEVIATES THE STRAIN ON CONNECTICUT'S REFUGEE AGENCIES WHILE DIRECTLY INFORMING THE ORGANIZATION'S ADVOCACY FOR IMMIGRATION POLICY REFORM. THE ORGANIZATION STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE COMPANIONSHIP AND ASSISTANCE AS REFUGEES SETTLE INTO THEIR NEW HOME AND ENVIRONMENT. THROUGHOUT THE RESETTLEMENT PROCESS, OUR TEAM PROVIDES A MULTITUDE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING (1) FINDING AND FURNISHING HOUSING PRIOR TO ARRIVAL; (2) SUPPLYING CLOTHING, PERSONAL CARE ITEMS, AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS; (3) PROVIDING CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE IN MEETING EMERGENT NEEDS; (4) ENROLLING CHILDREN IN SCHOOL, CONNECTING ADULTS TO ENGLISH COURSES, AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES; (5) APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS, SELECTIVE SERVICES, AND PUBLIC BENEFITS AND (6) HELPING ACCESS MEDICAL CARE.

WHAT ORIGINALLY BEGAN AS A SMALL SEWING CIRCLE TO HELP PROMOTE A HEALTHY SOCIAL LIFE AMONG RECENTLY-RESETTLED WOMEN, HAS EVOLVED INTO A LARGE-SCALE SUPPORT SYSTEM AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES HERE IN THE GREATER HARTFORD AREA.DURING THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, A TOTAL OF 29 WOMEN PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM AND COMPLETED OVER 300 SALES TRANSACTIONS.

SINCE 1998, THE ORGANIZATION HAS ORGANIZED IMMIGRANT DAY TO HONOR IMMIGRANTS ACROSS THE STATE WHO HAVE MADE POSITIVE AND LASTING IMPACTS IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND IN THEIR FIELDS. THOSE HONORED HAVE OVERCOME GREAT OBSTACLES TO BECOME PILLARS OF THEIR COMMUNITY. HONOREES REPRESENT THE DIVERSITY OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS BY IMMIGRANTS IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. THROUGH THIS CELEBRATION WE NOT ONLY HONOR PAST AND PRESENT GENERATIONS, BUT WE INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS WITH THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF HONOREES. THE FORMAL CEREMONY INCLUDES REMARKS FROM STATE OFFICERS, LAWMAKERS, AND THE PUBLIC. ALONG WITH THE PRESTIGIOUS IMMIGRANT DAY AWARDS, THREE SPECIAL MEMORIAL AWARDS ARE ALSO PRESENTED.