Federal Programs
Matching Grant (MG) Program – The Matching Grant Program runs for 240 days and is an employment program that provides intensive case management services to help clients achieve economic self-sufficiency. This program provides case management services, employment services, and financial assistance along with other useful resources, such as ESL courses and Job Readiness training.
Preferred Communities Intensive Case Management Program (PC) – The Preferred Communities program is a year-long intensive case management program that helps vulnerable refugees along the path to self-sufficiency by providing individually-tailored resources and connections to the wider community. Special need and vulnerable groups who are eligible for services include those with disabilities; youth and young adults without parents; single parents and women at risk; the elderly; refugees facing acute mental health challenges; and LGBTQ clients, among others.
State Programs
Refugee Support Services and Employment Program (RSSEP) – RSSEP is an employment program that is focused on self-sufficiency through employment and education. Clients receive ongoing employment and career support and ongoing ESL support. CWS Harrisonburg, through the RSSEP program, helps new arrivals find new jobs during the first 90 days in the United States and serves refugees up to five years after arrival to upgrade employment and reach career goals. This program also connects and supports refugees with adult education opportunities in order to advance career opportunities.
Virginia Refugee Student Achievement Project (VRSAP) – VRSAP supports refugee families with school aged children so that they can best succeed in the United States. Services include: monitoring and reviewing school progress; help with access to enrichment activities and extracurriculars; tutoring support; school system orientation for parents; and access to interpretation services.
Refugee Health Education and Outreach (RHEO) – The RHEO program provides continuing health education and outreach to refugee clients. This includes facilitating health and mental health care, providing resources and outreach to clients, and coordinating activities like women’s health classes, vaccine clinics, and creating educational videos.
Services to Older Refugees (SOR) – a program to support elderly clients in integrating into the community and working towards citizenship. This program helps older refugees connect to English classes and participate in activities in the community, including Tai Chi classes and sewing and quilting groups. Recently through a partnership with Radical Roots Farm we have been delivering fresh produce and providing recipes and nutrition counseling to our older clients.
Mentoring Youth in Virginia (MYVA) – The MYVA program pairs refugee youth ages 15-21 with community members who can provide support and encouragement around social, academic, and career goals to these young adults as they navigate life in the United States. In partnership with the JMU Computer Science Department MYVA also holds a two week summer coding camp for refugee youth.
State Opioid Response (SOR) Youth – SOR Youth is a substance abuse prevention summer program for high school aged refugee youth. It is aimed at building resiliency and protective factors in the lives of refugee youth.
CWS Domestic Violence Prevention and Family Resiliency Program– CWS Harrisonburg offers domestic violence prevention services to the community including outreach and cultural and legal education; crisis support and case management; assistance with legal issues; making safety plans; and otherwise supporting family resiliency.
Local Programs
Sentara Healthcare Career Pathways – This program offers outreach and support for refugees and immigrants in the community who are either interested in continuing a career in healthcare or are beginning their journey to becoming a healthcare professional.