CMI Refugee Support Services was established 2007 to improve the lives of refugees in the Bay Area. CMI recruits, trains and assists community groups to connect with refugees and to provide a growing network of advocates and friends of refugee families.  CMI RSS maintains offices in San Jose, CA that provide both refugee support and assistance services to the individual refugee families and the resettlement agencies.

Refugee Support Services

Refugees are men, women, and children who are forced to flee their homes, leaving behind all they have known for an uncertain future.  They are unable to return to their homelands for fear of persecution due to their race, gender, religion, nationality, or membership in a social or political group.  Refugees are among the most vulnerable of all immigrants fleeing countries that have been ravaged by civil strife or war.

Refugees come from troubled nations throughout the world that include Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Burundi, Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Rwanda, Somalia, and Sudan.

The United States government agrees to receive and resettle a presidentially-determined number of refugees in the USA each year through Volunteer Agencies known as VOLAGS such as World Relief, Jewish Family Services, The International Rescue Committee, and Catholic Charities to name a few. These organizations in partnership with the US government support the relocation of these families from hot spots to their new home state in the USA.

Most VOLAGS experience in resettling refugees spans three decades.  During that time, thousands of refugees have begun new lives with the assistance of volunteers, churches, and local community based charitable organizations.

The US government has put together a comprehensive resettlement and adjustment program to resettle refugee families in their home state through the VOLAGS.  However, VOLAGS need community involvement to provide refugees access to the necessary resources and help them to become self-sufficient and successfully integrate into their new communities as quickly as possible.  With national and local support, refugees only receive the basic necessities for starting life anew.

CMI Refugee Support Services works closely with local VOLAGS, Santa Clara County, community groups, churches, charitable organizations, and local volunteers as partners and builds community strength upon the mission of "one common goal," which is serving  our displaced neighbors with needs.

We passionately invite faith congregations, community civic and county offices, charitable organizations, health agencies, local businesses and community offices, local media, schools, colleges, and universities to reflect the diversity of our local communities and have access to shared resources. We value community ownership, collaboration and leadership in our resettlement assistance program.

 Why partner with CMI Refugee Support Services?

• Together we share a common mission that is larger than any single vision.
• We can serve a larger number of refugees in each local community by providing access to shared resources.
• Create outreach and community awareness
• Together we can build community leadership and increases visibility with decision makers, the media and the larger community
• Minimize duplicated efforts, establish and promotes a continuum of care that those in need can rely on.
• Provide Referrals for all receivers
• Promote enduring awareness of our community needs and the available support and services in each congregations and organizations.
• Opportunities to fulfill your call to service
• Occasions to have an impact on meeting the needs of others in your community
• Connections to the community at large and to other cultures
• Opportunities to lead and serve as role models
• Visibility through special events and monthly newsletter
• Education on special populations and community resources

You can make a difference as a volunteer, donor, or organization with material donations:  When fleeing their homes, refugees loose most of their possessions.  You can help by donating gently used furniture, household goods and new personal care items.

Financial contributions:  Your contribution of any amount can make an amazing difference in our ability to provide food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and support to refugee families.  Your gift of any amount is deeply appreciated.  Go to DONATE link to contribute.

Community based co-sponsorship: A community based charitable organizations, individuals, or churches can help in many different ways. You can donate time, skills, and resources.  In your local communities your organization can help empowering the weak, rebuild lives, and encourage those in need by extending the hand of friendship.  Refugee families need friends!

Job development: We invite businesses to join other Bay Area employers who are willing to add refugees to their workforce.

Volunteers:  Every volunteer is important.  We need volunteers to help with organizing donation drives and solicit additional resources.  Individuals can participate in teaching basic computer and English language skills, help orient refugees to American culture, take families shopping, transport refugees to their appointments, help with finding affordable temporary or permanent housing, help with furnishing apartments, sorting documents and bills, filling forms, collecting and delivering gently used household items, prepare resumes, help with finding a job, co-ordinate special events, and much more. We will provide all necessary training and resources for you to make your volunteer involvement a great experience.  Visit Volunteer Opportunities link and get started today.

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Building bridges between newly arrived refugees and local communities by serving those in need with love and compassion.

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 Vision

Community Ministries International in partnership with community organizations will assist refugees from all nations with respect and compassion that builds and strengthens individuals, families, and communities.  We seek to change lives with love.

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