What's Next for the Immigrant and Refugee Ministry?
From 2017 to 2021, Refugee Visa allocations were nearly eliminated. World Relief, the agency that resettled most of our SJC refugees, was forced to close its doors throughout Florida and many other US locations. Employees within the Refugee Services areas of Catholic Charities (CC) and Lutheran Social Services (LSS), as well as state and health care workers serving refugees, lost their jobs. SJC ministry had minimal activity. But the gap is closing.
In Jacksonville, both CC and LSS will be resettling new arrivals from Afghanistan soon. Our new approach at SJC will begin with Refugee Resettlement Agency partnerships. Stay tuned. SJC has made contacts with local agencies. Updates can be obtained via www.lssjax.org , www.ccbjax.org, at the local level. Screening and vetting processes are defined at www.DHS.gov/AlliesWelcome through the US Department of Homeland Security and US Department of State https://www.state.gov/office-of-global-partnerships