Kentucky Refugee Ministries

As many of you know, I started a new job at Kentucky Refugee Ministries through the Americorps VISTA program. My position focuses on providing ESL services and Cultural Orientation classes to the refugees. So far, I have really enjoyed working at the office and I wanted to share more about some volunteer options and general information for people who may be interested in volunteering with KRM. So here it is.....

Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. is the refugee resettlement office in the state of Kentucky for two national church-based programs: The Episcopal Migration Ministries and Church World Service. Kentucky Refugee Ministries is authorized by the U.S. Dept. of State to assist refugees who have been legally admitted to the United States, as victims of warfare or other forms of persecution because of their religious or political beliefs.

Refugees come to this country as victims of trauma, as people who have lost their homes and families because of war, as people hoping for peace and freedom as they begin life anew. Our program provides them with apartments and furnishing, helps enroll children in school, gets families to medical treatment, and secures employment for family members who are able to go to work. Refugees come from very diverse educational and skill backgrounds, and we attempt to place the refugee in the best jobs available, given the client's language ability, background, training and experience. Long term assistance include job upgrades, assistance with certain immigration processes and classes and assistance preparing individuals to become naturalized American citizens.

Kentucky Refugee Ministries benefits from the help of many volunteers from service and educational institutions in the Louisville community. We are a church-based program, and we initially work to link refugees with church congregations who will sponsor them.

Since we began our work in 1990, we have placed over 4000 refugees in various Kentucky communities. These individuals and families represent 29 different nationalities and ethnic groups including Liberian, Colombian, Vietnamese, Haitian, Cuban, Iraqi, Somali, Kurdish, Bosnian, Kosovar, Russian, Ethiopian, Romanian, Sudanese, Benadir, Barawan, Togolese, Congolese, Afghani, Iranian, Ukrainian and Rwandan.

We generally need volunteers to be ESL tutors for our clients, help teach English classes, assist in apartment set-up, provide additional office assistance, and provide transportation to appointments.

KRM also needs donations and monetary assitance to provide adequate services to the refugees. We can use old furniture, electronics, bikes, clothing, etc. that is in decent condition. Please let me know if you are interested in helping!