Community Refugee & Immigration Services

Read the full joint statement recently released by CRIS and the Columbus Council on World Affairs: https://lnkd.in/g3euyTSK

Thanks to our amazing 2024 CRIS 5K sponsors, 100% of registrations and donations to the race will go directly to supporting CRIS' work welcoming refugees and immigrants in Central Ohio! You can join these local partners in making every step count this Saturday, October 5th, in downtown Columbus. Learn more and sign up at crisohio.org/5k. A special thanks to Big Lots Foundation, Salem Stones, Inc., The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), Acoust-A-Fiber, Inc., Airstream, Trillium Farms, Lower Lights Health, Universal Veneer, Hope Timber Pallet & Recycling, Marshall and Forman LLC (Marshall, Forman, & Schlein), Goyal Industries, Murphy Development Company, Columbus Council on World Affairs, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, and Zaland Custom Tailoring. You are helping to build a more welcoming community in Central Ohio!

Important CRIS Legal Services Updates! Beginning in September, the CRIS Legal Services clinic schedule is changing. We will now host two Haitian Legal Clinics per month, on the first and second Tuesdays. We will also have two Ukrainian Legal Clinics per month, on the third and fourth Tuesdays. Additionally, our Refugee Adjustment Day will now take place on the first Wednesday of each month. There will be 25 available appointments on each of these days on a first-come, first-served basis (between 8:30 AM and 12:00 noon).   Previously, only one clinic was held per month per community; these changes reflect an increase in our service capacity.   Those who are not a part of the communities listed above and want to schedule an initial consultation (intake appointment) with CRIS Legal Services may call 380-LAW-CRIS (380-529-2747) on the first business day of each month to schedule. Make sure to visit https://lnkd.in/gicJrEC9 for more information.

The CRIS employment program aims to prepare refugees for the workplace to help them achieve the goal of long-term self-sufficiency and integration in the Central Ohio community. This includes English language instruction, skills-based instruction, interview practice, and individual employment counseling. Recently, the CRIS Employment team has innovated new approaches to workplace preparation with some of those they serve.   One of these fresh approaches is a weekly professional development class. This class aims to support CRIS employment program participants who have professional skills and experience and strong English language skills. The curriculum was developed by the course’s volunteer teache Rob Newman; it highlights professional life in the U.S., resume-building, networking, interview strategies, and more. Now retired, Newman brings over 30 years of experience in leadership development, training design and development, and human resources expertise to his volunteer work with refugees. He shares, “Refugees are so interested in succeeding here in the U.S…helping them do so is tremendously exciting."

Our very own Executive Director Angie Plummer recently made a radio guest appearance on 89.7 NPR news in an interview with WOSU Public Media’s All Sides Host and Executive Producer Anna Staver. Angie and Rob Cohen, Porter Wright immigration attorney and CRIS board member, discussed refugees in Ohio. This conversation is part of the All Sides series Untangled, which aims to take complicated topics and untangle them. Close CRIS partner and Church World Service Community Organizer Blaise Balazire also shared snapshots of his own journey as a refugee during the show. A recording of the show is available on podcast platforms.

Here's a behind-the-scenes action shot of the 2024 Refugee Mental Health Training hosted last week by CRIS staff members. Health & Wellness Program Manager Cat Gossman and Clinical Lead Kyri Shaffer led the discussion, and other CRIS staff members offered valuable cultural insight, examples, and stories to enhance the training. Special thanks to the 150+ participants and the organizations represented: US Together, Inc., Directions for Youth & Families, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS), Jewish Family Services, Franklin County Children Services, Netcare Access, OhioHealth, @Asha-Ray of Hope, Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center, Vineyard Columbus, Dublin City School District, Westerville City Schools, Lima City Schools, and Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging.

Refugees, immigrants, and allies alike are all invited to Gov't 101, presented by Church World Service Community Organizer Blaise Balazire, this Saturday, March 23rd, from 2-4:30 PM at the CRIS Office (4645 Executive Drive). This training is designed for immigrants and refugees who want to: Understand the government structures and how they influence our daily lives, from local to federal levels. Discover ways to get involved in decision-making processes to drive meaningful impact on our immigrant and refugee communities. Build connections with other engaged community members and collectively advocate for change. Let us know you're attending by completing the short RSVP form!

CRIS staff attorney Vincent Wells has been named a recipient of the Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) Excellence in Public Service Award! This award is given out annually to two outstanding attorneys by the PILF at Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Annual Auction selected for their “continued commitment to public interest work in our community…This award is dedicated to attorneys doing great work in the public interest who are dedicated to the mission of providing stellar legal services to the underserved.” Vincent has been instrumental in providing legal services to Afghan evacuees, as well as being a vital part of CRIS Legal Services as they support thousands of refugees and immigrants each year. Congratulations, Vincent!