JFCS Announces launch of Immigrant and Refugee Service Pillar
In the last three years, JFCS has grown tremendously in terms of how many clients we serve. Our refugee and immigrant services have experienced particularly substantial growth. We’re responding to this increased demand by pivoting the relevant programs within our underlying mission. To start the new year, we are proud to announce the launch of our Immigrant & Refugee Services pillar.
JFCS pillars of service encompass our commitment to the various programs our organization provides. We currently operate based on four pillars, dedicated respectively to the Clinical Services, Career & Economic Opportunities, Family Stability, and Klein Older Adults programs. This upcoming fifth pillar will elevate our Immigrant & Refugee Services program to among our top priorities in terms of needs fulfillment.
The new pillar will include services like career laddering and recredentialing; a match saving program for refugees to save for a house, car, business, or education; a youth needs assessment for the immigrant and refugee community; and related necessities. Louisville’s immigrant community encompasses a wide spectrum of perspectives and needs. We want to make sure our organization provides an appropriately diverse range of ways we can assist!
Mark your calendars for January 21 at 5:30 pm; at this time, we will hold an official ribbon cutting ceremony cementing this fifth pillar of service into our central mission. The event will be free and open to anyone interested, so we hope to see you there!
Immediately after this ribbon cutting, we’re holding our first event based around the new pillar. Styled after our successful and ongoing series of Community Chats, the Your Rights Matter: Understanding Rights of Refugees and Immigrants During Uncertain Times event will be held at JFCS between 6 and 8 pm on January 21. The chat will be free and open to the public with registration, and childcare is provided when needed. Plan on enjoying the ribbon cutting and sitting down for some perspective on the pillar afterwards!
This event will focus on the rights federally ensured to refugees and immigrants, and on the ways in which those rights may or may not change after the upcoming change in United States presidency. Like our Community Chats, it will be led by a panel of four experts on the subject. The panel will educate listeners on understanding new and rapidly changing immigration policies, creating an emergency plan where necessary, and knowing one’s personal rights and the rights of one’s fellow community members. There will be time afterwards for audience questions, so be prepared to ask away if there’s anything you’re particularly curious about!
Know Your Rights will contain relevant information for individuals who could personally be affected by new legislation around immigration; service providers who want to communicate their services and see resources available; and community members who want to be educated to advocate for their neighbor. Regardless of how you fit into any of those categories, we encourage you to attend. See you on the 21st!