Refugee Services
Services
Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more. ~ Pope Francis
Welcoming with open arms.
Catholic Charities Refugee Services works through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the State of Iowa. Our agency resettles refugees who have family or close friends living in our area. We have 90 days to settle families for their new life in Iowa. Every family is unique and requires a variety of services. Health exams, job placement assistance, school enrollment, language classes and transportation training are just some of the many services that will be completed during their first three months. Our goal is to get the entire family off to a great start so they can be successful.
Family Reunification
Are you a refugee and have family overseas? Catholic Charities of Des Moines can help you apply for family reunification.
Post-Resettlement Services
Catholic Charities offers post-resettlement services to further support our refugee clients and other refugees and immigrants in our community, even if they were not originally resettled through Catholic Charities. We are there to help, however needed. Our post-settlement team can assist clients with:
- Securing employment
- Finding childcare
- Enrolling their children in extracurricular activities
- Connecting them to community resources
- And MUCH MORE
My case worker, every time I called him, he immediately responded. The things he has done for me, I think I will never forget. He’s a member of my family, he is my brother.”
– Kayumba, Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services Client
Program History
Catholic Charities Refugee Services was established in 1945 following World War II when the USCCB took action to assist homeless and displaced people. From 1975 – 1996 the program focused primarily on resettling Southeast Asian refugees. During this period of resettlement, former Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray championed the legislative and humanitarian efforts. Starting in 1995, Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services worked collaboratively with Lutheran Social Services (currently known as Lutheran Services in Iowa or LSI) to assist refugees coming to Des Moines. In 2010, Catholic Charities began independently resettling refugees.
Catholic Charities Connect
Catholic Charities Connect is a family friendship program that pairs local and refugee families together to better connect our new Iowans with resources and friendly faces. Activities families can do through the program include:
- Having a refugee family over for dinner
- Helping a refugee family practice English
- Assisting with grocery shopping
- Exploring Des Moines together
- And more!
Catholic Charities Connect families will participate in an initial training and a routine monthly check-in with a Catholic Charities staff member. Contact us if you are interested.
A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.
How to Volunteer
Volunteers and donors are a key part of helping us support our refugee clients. Individuals, groups and families can volunteer one time or repeatedly. From apartment setups to helping organize our warehouse, to collecting houseware and household products, to assisting with bus trainings, there are plenty of opportunities for everyone.
Yes! We could not do what we do without the generous support we receive from our community.
How to Donate
- For furniture donations contact Catholic Charities staff at donations@catholiccharitiesdm.org.
- Donations are accepted at the Catholic Charities’ warehouse at 3 College Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314 every Monday from 12 pm – 4 pm.
- Currently, items in highest demand for our FY24 arrivals include:
- Dining Room Tables
- Twin Bed Sheets
- Towels
- Paper Towels
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Pillows
- Twin Comforters
- Toilet Papers
- Deodorant
- Bleach
- Laundry detergent
- Knives
- Spoons and Forks
- Can openers
- Whisks
- Cooking and Baking Spatulas
- Bath kits (Curtains, Rings, Bath Mats)
- Body wash
- Coffee cups
- Tea Kettle Bowls
- Ice Cube Trays
- Wooden Spoons
- Cutting Boards
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