Refugee Resources
Please also review the resources under Legal Resources. There are many resources there specific to refugees and aslyees.
New Americans, New Promise: A Guide to the Refugee Journey in America by Yorn Yan
Author Yorn Yan describes the refugee experience in the United States and how to best help refugees through the acculturation and transition process of becoming a New American. Nonprofits, foundations, government agencies, religious groups and businesses will find that the stories, tips, tools, and advice in this book will help them better understand the refugee experience so they can create programs and services that work.
The book is published by the Fieldstone Alliance.
Torture and War Trauma Brochures
These informational brochures contain identifying information about the physical and psychological effects of torture and war trauma and suggest appropriate interventions. These brochures are designed for a focused group consisting of individual survivors, family members and refugee communities
You are encouraged to reproduce the brochures for use by your agency or to request hard copies by email Ev Lennon at The Center for Victims of Torture or call her at 612.436.4857.
Please note that distributing these materials to your clients commits you and your agency to the task of providing appropriate mental health resources and referrals.
The editing, proofreading, and translation were provided by the Somali and Bosnian Refugee Mental Health Advisory Boards of CVT.
English Version
Information for Survivors (PDF)
Information for Families (PDF)
Information for Refugee Communities (PDF)
Bosnian Version
Information for Survivors (PDF)
Information for Families (PDF)
Information for Refugee Communities (PDF)
Somali Version
Information for Survivors (PDF)
Information for Families (PDF)
Information for Refugee Communities (PDF)
Reading Lists & Films
Office of Refugee Resettlement: Reading & Film List
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/resources/ref_films_books.htm
American Refugee Committee: Reading List
http://www.arcrelief.org/site/PageServer?pagename=learn_suggestedreading
Links
Association for Refugee Service Professionals
The Association for Refugee Service Professionals came out of the vision of Carol Roxburgh, Executive Director of Refugee Services of Texas Inc. Professionals who have worked in this field for a number of years have noticed increased stress among colleagues and burnout of key people with years of experience, resulting in turnover and loss. This affects the overall effectiveness of agencies, as well as the clients we serve. After further discussion with many peers and receiving positive feedback, a group was formed to start the process to have a professional association open to all who work in immigration and refugee related fields. This association will provide professional growth, and emotional support for the well being of its members.
Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. (CLINIC)
The Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. (CLINIC) works to provide legal and non-legal support services to Catholic Charities and its legal immigration programs. Visitors to their website can access publications, information about CLINIC's programs and training seminars, and current developments in U.S. immigration policy.
Examining Asylum Seekers: A Health Professional's Guide to Medical and Psychological Evaluations of Torture
Examining Asylum Seekers: A Health Professional's Guide to Medical and Psychological Evaluations of Torture is published by the organization, Physicians for Human Rights. The unabridged version is available through a pdf file on their website. Copies of the manual can also be ordered from their website.
From Persecution to Prison: The Health Consequences of Detention for Asylum Seekers
This article discuses the health effects of detention on asylum seekers. It also suggests ways that the practice of long term detention of asylum seekers could be modified.
Points of Wellness - Partnering for Refugee Health and Wellbeing Initiative
The Points of Wellness - Partnering for Refugee Health and Wellbeing Initiative (POWI) is a health promotion and disease prevention program to assist organizations concerned with the well-being of refugees.
National Center of Immigrant Integration Policy (Migration Policy Institute)
The Language Portal is a digital library of close to 600 resources relating to the use of language access services in social services and public safety agencies. The Portal includes legal guidelines, service models, master contracts for service providers, hourly translation and interpretation rates for different languages in key areas of the United States, pay differentials for multilingual staff, and sample translated documents.
National Immigration Forum
Established in 1982, the National Immigration Forum is the nation’s premier immigrant rights organization. The Forum is dedicated to embracing and upholding America’s tradition as a nation of immigrants. The Forum advocates and builds public support for public policies that welcome immigrants and refugees and are fair to and supportive of newcomers to our country.
The National Center for Refugee For Employment and Self-Sufficiency
RefugeeWorks specializes in providing exceptional training, consulting and publishing services to the national refugee employment network. Working in partnership with service providers and employers nationwide, we are committed to helping refugees achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Refugee Health Information Network
The Refugee Health Information Network (RHIN) is a national collaborative partnership managed by refugee health professionals, that provides multilingual, health information resources for those providing care to resettled refugees and asylees.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Helpline 1-800-375-5283
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website has location and filing information for immigration benefits, including political asylum. Free immigration forms may be downloadable or filed from this site. Case status information for cases pending with USCIS may be obtained. Be sure to review the Education & Resources section of the site to see the resources and training tools available.
