What We Do

World Relief is actively involved in the Twin Cities and surrounding metro area engaging the Church to be at work in the mission field at our door. Here are the different services World Relief provides.

 

Refugee Resettlement

World Relief provides case management support for newly arriving refugees. World Relief staff and volunteers help the refugee family to find permanent housing, locate English classes, enroll children in school, collect household items and furniture items for each family and offer cultural orientation during their first three months in America. Please contact Tonya Cook, R&P Program Manager, at (612) 243-2943 or tcook@wr.org for more information. 

Immigration Services

For a detailed list of the Immigration services that World Relief provides, please see the Immigration department's webpage.

World Relief works through the church to care for the poor, suffering, and vulnerable. In the U.S. World Relief partners with churches to resettle refugees and assists immigrant with immigration and other services. Immigrants come to the United States for a variety of reasons such as to flee persecution, seek improved economic and educational opportunities and reunite with family members.

United States Immigration Law is complex and hard to understand. This makes it difficult for immigrants who are limited in English to fully know what benefits they are entitled to and what their responsibilities are. World Relief works diligently to meet the growing demand to provide quality services to immigrants ranging from immigration legal advice and representation.

Volunteer Program

The volunteer program has a wide spectrum of opportunities designed for churches, individuals and small groups. World Relief matches volunteers with refugee families to not only ease the refugee’s life adjustment in the United States, but also to share the love of Jesus. This program offers churches an opportunity to co-sponsor a family; in doing so churches will become intimately connected to the refugees as they begin a new life here in America

  • Refugee Journey Experience The Refugee Journey Experience is an event designed to aid churches in understanding the journey families undergo as refugees. Participants go through a simulation of what a typical refugee family will go through to come to America. Many have said it is an eye opening experience about the challenges that refugees face.
  • Adopt a Refugee Family for Christmas This program provides a framework for volunteers to share God’s hope with refugees who have recently arrived in Minnesota. Volunteers are provided a wish list from a refugee family so they may get the needed items. Because refugees have needs throughout the year, the program is not only limited to Christmas!

For more information on becoming involved in the above programs, please contact Lance Carroll at lcarroll@wr.org or call at 612-243-2951.

 

Somali Adult Literacy Training (SALT)

The mission of SALT is “to be a blessing to the Somali community and local church by bringing Somalis and Americans together in language learning and friendship.” This is accomplished through English classes and one on one tutoring. Please contact Mike Neterer, SALT Director, at (612) 870-7258 or SALT@wr.org for more information.

Employment Services

Employment service is provided for clients who arrived to the United States as Refugees or Asylees and have been here for less than 5 years. Most of our clients are on a Public Assistance Program such as Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and Diversionary Work Program (DWP) although some are not (NPA). World Relief employment counselors get referrals for clients to provide employment services such as educating clients about job search, developing resumes and finding jobs.

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)

World Relief offers RCA services for refugees who are married with no minor children or singles who are over 18 years old for the first eight months after entering America.  This program is designed for those who are new in America and motivated to find employment immediately (restrictions apply).

Educational Seminars and Classes for Churches

The world has come to Minnesota! World Relief Minnesota welcomes churches, small groups and individuals who want to partner with new refugee families as they seek to start a new life in America. Come and learn about this exciting cross-cultural ministry through the Refugee Ministry Training Seminar. Topics covered include: the refugee journey, refugees in Minnesota, cross-cultural friendship building, practical ways to help, volunteer opportunities and much more. We offer individual training and group training. To schedule your training write to minnesota@wr.org. You can also call 612-798-4332.

© 2007, World Relief Minnesota