Refugee Resettlement

• Services for Ukrainian Newcomers – Frequently Asked Questions.
• Приветствуем Новоприбывших из Украины/Вітаємо новоприбулих з України/Welcome Newcomers from Ukraine
• Click here for updates about our work with Afghan refugees.

JFCS East Bay’s resettlement program has long focused on refugees who have experienced persecution based on their religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We have extensive expertise in resettling refugees who are vulnerable and fleeing violent and dire circumstances. Our resettlement team includes Dari, Farsi, Pashtu, Urdu, French, and Spanish speakers, many of whom were themselves refugees or immigrants.

While the number of refugees coming into the country decreased during the previous administration and due to the pandemic, we have still continued to welcome newcomers to the East Bay and expect that numbers will soon be increasing.

The majority of the refugees we work with are Afghans who served as translators or provided support services for U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. Due to their cooperation with the United States, former translators and their families are now being targeted by the Taliban and other fundamentalists. Because they arrive having recently been in grave danger, these families are highly traumatized and need intensive, individualized support from our Dari/Farsi-speaking case managers and psychologist to start their new lives in our community.

JFCS East Bay is also the lead organization in the United States resettling LGBT individuals persecuted for their sexual orientation or gender identity. These refugees come mostly from Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Our resettlement program features comprehensive case management, including:

• pre-migration documentation and assistance
• assistance with finding initial housing
• furniture and household goods donations
• in-depth and ongoing cultural orientation
• accessing medical and mental health services
• enrolling clients in ESL classes and vocational support
• enrolling children in schools
• linking clients with appropriate local resources
• matching clients with volunteers and tutors
• parenting support
• managing crises or family upheaval
• mental health support
• social gatherings and celebrations (virtual during shelter-in-place)