Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri seeking help for anticipated refugee arrivals from Afghanistan
Refugee Services of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri (CCCNMO) is seeking local assistance for the possible arrival of refugees from Afghanistan.
As the only refugee resettlement agency in Mid-Missouri federally authorized to resettle refugees, Catholic Charities Refugee Services coordinates the arrival and services for all refugees resettled in this region, including Afghan refugees.
As the humanitarian crisis unfolds in Afghanistan, CCCNMO is working hard to prepare to resettle any Afghan refugees that arrive in Central Missouri.
CCCNMO has been working with their national-level sponsoring agency, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and the U.S. State Department, on responding to the Afghan evacuation for several weeks.
USCCB has selected at least one Catholic Charities Refugee Services staff member to deploy to one of the forts in the United States to help process Afghan refugees.
In the meantime, CCCNMO staff members are coordinating with the local Afghan community and other community groups interested in co-sponsoring refugees and assisting with the Afghan refugee response in this region.
Catholic Charities expects Afghan refugees will be arriving in the United States this fall and as early as September.
CCCNMO is requesting the people of central and northern Missouri to become heavily involved in resettlement.
To facilitate collective efforts, the agency has created a co-sponsorship program for organizations in Central Missouri to be matched with Afghan refugees and other refugees coming from other areas of the world.
On CCCNMO’s website (cccnmo.diojeffcity.org), people can complete and submit the Afghan Refugee Assistance Form, indicating how they would like to help.
Donations can also be made online at: cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/give.
The Diocese of Jefferson City and Catholic Charities have been welcoming refugees since 1975.
Catholic Charities USA and its 167 member agencies have a long history of serving their communities to help the most vulnerable find affordable housing, access vital food assistance and nutrition, receive mental and integrated healthcare, and achieve economic self-sufficiency and stability.
When disaster strikes, Catholic Charities USA’s agencies provide emergency and long-term relief to help individuals and families rebuild their lives.
CCCNMO is the social services outreach arm of the Diocese of Jefferson City, providing a range of programs and services to people in need in a 38-county service area regardless of faith, culture or situation.
Catholic Charities believes in assisting the most basic and immediate needs of the poor and vulnerable and giving them the help and resources needed for long-term change.
“Providing Care … Creating Hope” is its mission.
Programs include refugee services; family immigration services; community services (disaster services, housing counseling, and immigrant outreach and Hispanic case management); health and nutrition services; and parish social ministries (faith community nursing and prison ministry).
For more information, visit cccnmo.diojeffcity.org.
