Refugee Services

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City is the only refugee resettlement agency for the state of Oklahoma, organizing partners and staff to welcome the newly arrived refugees to find safety, stability, and self- sufficiency into our community. 

Catholic Charities is dedicated to helping refugees who have fled their countries to escape war, crisis and conflict. This complex work often involves fragile survivors. Case managers, job developers and housing navigators help them find work, learn English and make a new home.

We have immediate and ongoing needs to assist in setting up homes and providing  resources. To assist us in these endeavors, please consider a donation or visit our Amazon Wishlist.

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Catholic Charities' Refugee Resettlement

Most refugees arrive in the US with few possessions. The Refugee Resettlement Program offers a wide range of services to help assist clients in becoming self-sufficient. Each individual or family is assigned a case manager who works with the family for up to six months from the date of their arrival. These services include: Airport reception, food, housing, clothing, financial assistance, furniture/living supplies, community orientation, transportation assistance, English as a Second Language, health care, job development/skills training, employment opportunities, and referrals to community partners.

In the 1970s,  Catholic Charities began operating as an affiliate of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops/ Migration and Refugee Services (USCCB/MRS) with responsibility for the provision of Reception and Placement (R&P) services to all newly arrived refugees. Catholic Charities welcomed a vast number of Vietnamese refugees during this time frame after the communist government of North Vietnam captured Saigon. Communities were established in the north-central parts of Oklahoma City and are still flourishing to this day.
 

Afghan Refugee Response 

In 2021, Catholic Charities welcomed over 1,800 Afghan refugees into our state from September 2023 - February 2022. This was the highest number of refugees resettled by Catholic Charities OKC in its history. Multiple case mangers, interpreters, community partners, various faith-based organizations and countless volunteers helped us receive these families into our city. 
 

Resettlement Process

Arrival
Provisions are made to pick up families from the airport and transport them to a nearby hotel where they are temporarily placed until assigned a case manager. Catholic Charities has worked with Champion Hotels to accomodate these needs.

Housing

Catholic Charities of OKC works to find immediate housing for refugees. Permanent housing solutions are identified through case management, taking into considering things such as family size, proximity to potential employment, and other geographic factors.
 

Social Integration 

Upon arrival, families are immediately provided with welcome kits. Cultural integration classes are provided upon arrival and throughout the the resettlement process. The Oklahoma City Police Department trains officers on how to interact with the refugees and educate them on their customs. 

Schools/Children Activities

All children who move into permanent housing are also successfully enrolled in public schools.

Employment

Catholic Charities employs a job developer specialist who conducts intakes with arrivals and works to match them with employers, keeping in mind housing and transportation challenges as well. The long term success of refugees hinges on successful long-term employment. We provide employment assessment and job orientation to all applicants. We pre-screen applicants to match their skills with relevant job openings. We offer mediation between employers and employees. We also offer post-employment and ongoing support to employers and our refugee clients.

English Language Classes 

ESL classes are offered, and volunteer translators have been vital in how we assist our new neighbors. Through our relationship with United Way of Central Oklahoma, we have access to a telephone translation service. 

 

Oklahoma City Welcoming Efforts 

Catholic Charities has partnered with other nonprofit organizations such as the the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County, the Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma (CAIR), The Spero Project, Oklahoma City Public Schools, Putnam City School, United Way of Central Oklahoma and many local churches and faith-based organizations to ensure the needs of families are well received and feel welcome. 

Need For Volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering, please head over to our volunteer page here and follow the instructions.