Author: batkinson

Refugee Resettlement Program Suspended: Urgent Support Needed

Posted on by Jenny Barker

The recent executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has immediate consequences for the families Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville serves. Without your support, recently-arrived individuals will suffer due to this unprecedented freeze on aid.

Every person resettled through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program undergoes thorough vetting and receives approval from the Department of Homeland Security, which then arranges and authorizes their travel to the U.S.

Recent Developments

  • The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has been suspended
  • This pause affects our ability to assist refugees who have recently arrived in Tennessee
  • ·Nearly 150 people that arrived in late 2024 still need our immediate support as they resettle here

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville: 

  • Serves only legally authorized refugees and migrants
  • Resettled 410 individuals in the Nashville area in the last federal fiscal year
  • Partners with agencies to support refugees, asylees, and Special Immigrant Visa holders—many of whom aided the U.S. military
  • Provides services first, then submits documentation for reimbursement
  • Will not receive reimbursement due to the suspension, preventing continued service to newly arrived refugees

How You Can Help

USCCB’s Position

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has stated: 

“Faithful to the teaching of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church has a long history of serving refugees. In 1980, the bishops of the United States began partnering with the federal government to carry out this service when Congress created the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Every person resettled through USRAP is vetted and approved for the program by the federal government while outside of the United States. In our agreements with the government, the USCCB receives funds to do this work; however, these funds are not sufficient to cover the entire cost of these programs. Nonetheless, this remains a work of mercy and ministry of the Church.”

Why Support Refugee Resettlement?

Refugees admitted to the U.S. through the Resettlement Program:

  • Are thoroughly vetted and legally authorized to be in the country
  • Quickly work towards self-reliance
  • Contribute positively to the local economy

Your support ensures that those fleeing religious persecution and life-threatening conditions can find safety and build new lives in our community. Help us continue this vital work during this challenging time.

Please donate, volunteer, or advocate today. 

A new year, a bold vision for transforming lives

Posted on by Jenny Barker

From Judy K. Orr, Executive Director:

As our new fiscal year began last month, we simultaneously embraced a bold, new vision for our work:

“By 2029, Catholic Charities will be the leader in Middle Tennessee in assisting people in need to achieve persistent self-reliance.”

This vision is at the heart of our new five-year strategic plan, which reflects our deep commitment to addressing immediate needs while honoring every individual’s dignity. More than just a roadmap, this plan is an invitation to partner with us in creating lasting change.

With our strategic plan, we are committed not just to meeting material needs but to upholding the dignity of each person, recognizing that they are made in the image of God. Inspired by the teachings of Christ, we strive to be His hands and feet in the world, ensuring that our service is both a reflection of His love and a response to His call to care for ‘the least of these.

We are calling on all who share our mission of bringing love, hope, and healing to join us. Guided by a vision crafted by our committee and approved by the board of trustees, this plan will steer our efforts through 2029.

Together, we can build on our 60-year legacy, enhancing program impact, nurturing our staff, engaging the community, and raising awareness of our crucial work.

But we can’t do it alone. Your passion, support, and partnership are vital to empowering individuals and strengthening our community.

View our strategic plan

Addressing hidden homelessness

As part of our emergency services program, we assist many of our neighbors who are struggling with housing costs. “Hidden homelessness” is more common than you might think, and we are grateful to WPLN’s This is Nashville for raising awareness of this issue through its “In My Place” series.

In this recent episode, Catholic Charities’ Director of Basic Needs Kate Pooler shared insights on the often-overlooked realities of families who “double up” with other family members, live in their cars, or otherwise are in unsustainable situations on the verge of evictions.

Please give the interview with Kate a listen to learn more about our expertise in caring for our neighbors’ housing crises.

Listen to the episode

Culinary training for youth aging out of foster care

Our work in Culinary Training Academy (CTA) was amplified recently through a partnership with The Nashville Food Project and Slim & Husky’s. Our most recent cohort of graduates were youth who had recently aged out of foster care.

Of the 15 participants completing the program, 14 secured jobs and two have advanced to sous chef positions. This successful collaboration demonstrates a strong model for empowering vulnerable youth to begin a career in the hospitality industry. CTA is housed at Catholic Charities’ Family Resource Center at C.E. McGruder.

Giving back: from refugee to social worker

In our Love, Hope, Healing service model, we love to say that the best healing is when you want to give back to those who helped you.

Irakoze Bellamie is the epitome! She is completing her master’s degree in social work at the University of Kentucky. She was inspired to do her internship with Catholic Charities because her family was helped by CC when they first arrived in the U.S. in 2007, as authorized refugees from the African country Burundi. Her grandmother continues as a member of our New Americans elders program. Bella, as she is known, was 7 when she emigrated with her family.

Bella recalls the case manager (Diomede Richard, still working for CC!) who helped her family get settled in Nashville, teaching them English and how to navigate housing, schools, transportation, shopping, etc.

She says, “I want to impact people in a positive way just like social workers impacted me and my family.” Bella completed an internship in the spring at the CC Family Resource Center at Casa Azafran and is interning this semester at the CC FRC at C.E. McGruder.

Make an impact every month

Your recurring gift can help vulnerable neighbors become self-sufficient in the face of economic instability and life’s unexpected moments. By establishing a monthly gift, you increase its impact and spread your tax-deductible donation throughout the year.

Donate

P.S. Have you seen the Catholic Charities USA “We Are There” national awareness campaign? We’re excited to be featured.

 

OUR MISSION

Following Christ’s example, we recognize the dignity of all people and serve our neighbors.

Supporting families with young children

Posted on by Jenny Barker