Yana Vishnitsky Refugee Resettlement program

Last year, JFS successfully resettled 153 refugees from across the world, including those forced to flee their homelands due to economic hardship and persecution from countries such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, El Salvador, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. JFS found refugees affordable, safe housing, supplied cultural mentors to teach them to grocery shop, navigate public transportation, enrolled them in Medicaid, language courses, and kids in school, and provided culturally appropriate food from the Weinberg Food Pantry, and vital and immediate support from our Refugee Mental Health team.

As a Reception & Placement (R&P) agency JFS works in partnership with HIAS, the Global Jewish Organization for Refugees. HIAS is a nonprofit that provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers while advocating for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

JFS staff and volunteers:

• Help with intake paperwork.

• Assist with public benefits, language courses, and kids in school.

• Introduce refugees to neighborhoods, Denver (or nearby surrounding city of placement), and Colorado.

• Introduce families to public transportation systems.

• Explain U.S. currency and the general value of goods.

• Help familiarize with general public safety and what to do in an emergency.

• Bring families to a grocery store and explaining how they work.

• Provide food, employment support, and mental health counseling.

Critical areas where support is needed:

• Assistance in finding housing for the families and employment opportunities. To provide housing opportunities, job openings, or referrals to landlords or employers please contact Troy Cox at tcox@jewishfamilyservice.org.

• Learn about volunteer opportunities

• Make a donation to support the refugee resettlement program.

• Donate a new home supply basket.

• Donate furniture, household goods, appliances, and more.

Do you have open positions at your company?

JFS has a vibrant Refugee Resettlement team that supports New Americans from all over the world. Dedicated to ensuring the success and happiness of both clients and employer partners, our Employment Specialists are passionate about coaching refugees through the hiring process, onboarding phase, and beyond. Learn more.