In late June, members of Catholic Social Services (CSS) celebrated World Refugee Day by attending “Our America Now: A Celebration of World Refugee Day,” a festival experience that highlights the remarkable contributions of refugees and the supportive families who stand by them.
Through live music, dance, dance lessons, storytelling, videos, and interactive art installations, the Greater Philadelphia community learned how the city welcomes refugees into the country and helps them make the difficult transition to their new home while providing opportunities to build a life through culture, stories, art, and music.
This event was in partnership with Welcome.US, a national initiative built to inspire, mobilize, and empower Americans from all corners of the country to welcome and support people seeking refuge in the United States and help them thrive.
CSS provides refugee assistance for newcomers from other countries emigrating to the United States and to the Philadelphia region.
This spring, Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, has commissioned CSS to form Welcome Circles to assist Ukrainian refugees seeking resettlement in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Welcome Circles consist of groups of five or more adults who agree to support Ukrainian refugees attempting to rebuild their lives in the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia and feel at home in their new communities.
At Bucks County Family Service Center, a ministry of CSS, the Support4U program is a 3-month program that allows Ukrainian newcomers to receive help and guidance. This includes assistance with applying for Social Security cards, obtaining an employment authorization card (EAD), applying to receive cash assistance, school enrollment, English language training, and registering for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In addition, clients will also receive enhanced cultural orientation to learn about U.S. laws, culture, and the community.
Pictured here is case manager Mykola Postevka and his client Yaroslav Shvaick
When Yaroslav Shvaick arrived in the U.S. from Ukraine, he was unaware of the first step he should take. After stumbling across a post on the Internet, Shvaick called the hotline and was directed to CSS. Following the outreach, Shvaick was paired with Mykola Postevka, a case manager at Bucks County Family Service Center. Upon their first meeting, Postevka and Shvaick were able to lay out and complete all documents needed to reside in Pennsylvania.
Shvaick reflects, “After that, he was constantly in contact with me, calling me several times a week, I could call him at any time of the day or night, and he always gave advice on how to do the right thing, how to translate documents, call the services, make appointments.”
Following their first meeting, Postevka and Shvaick worked to construct a plan of Shvaick’s next actions and goals. Together they decided that Shvaick would study for his Commercial Driver’s License test and then go on to become a truck driver, a new profession he had not previously held in Ukraine. Although the plan was for the course of actions to be completed over 3 months, “thanks to Mykola, I did it in 2 months”. Shvaick also received help gaining a Social Security Number, employment authorization documents, medical assistance, and food stamps in two short months.
For assistance with this program please call the Philadelphia U4U Newcomer Hotline to be connected and referred to the closest Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee Program nearest you: 215-608-1966.
An important mission of CSS is to provide comprehensive, high quality, low-cost Immigration Legal Services. Currently, CSS is providing supportive services to many Ukrainians, in addition to refugees from Afghanistan, Haiti, Venezuela, and other countries where violence and poverty are prevalent. Some of the services being provided to these individuals include housing; assistance with benefits; employment; cultural orientation; and mental health resources.
To learn more about CSS Newcomer Programs, check out their website here.
