Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Program (IRRP)
Welcoming New Neighbors

About IRRP
Overview: About IRRP

The Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Program [IRRP) is a program of Lutheran Social Services of New England, and we work in partnership with a variety of other government agencies, foundations, and private nonprofits to welcome and support refugees who are resettling in New Hampshire. The program was established in 1997 as a joint effort of three national organizations: Church World Service, Episcopal Migration Ministries, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.

We’re part of a national network

The Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Program is part of a national network of short-term refugee resettlement support programs that are charged by the United States government with welcoming and integrating refugees from aroundt the world into the community.

The United States government expects all states to participate in the resettlement of displaced individuals who have met the strict criteria established by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and have been approved by the United States Department of State.

The ability of the IRRP to provide refugee support services depends mostly upon funding from our federal and state governments. In recent years, IRRP (as well as our many “sister” agencies in New England and across the country) has increasingly depended upon assistance from private foundations and individual donors to provide essential refugee services and support. We also have increasingly looked to private foundation and individual donor support to help us better educate all New Hampshire communities about the importance of our work to welcome our new neighbors.

Who is a refugee?

Refugees are people who are persecuted because of race, ethnicity,religion, political ideology, or social group — and who have been forced to flee their homeland to a neighboring country.

Potential refugees must first apply for “refugee status” through the UNHCR. Once “refugee status” is achieved, the President of the United States, and the United States Congress, working with the US Department of State, offer some of these individuals a new home in America. The IRRP is responsible –with our community partners – for welcoming and supporting the refugees who are coming to New Hampshire.

An excellent resource for information about federal government’s role in refugee resettlement, policies, programs, and funding can be found at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement website.

The resettlement challenge

The resettlement services provided by IRRP, and the time period for which we are funded by our state and federal governments, generally refers to the first several months after a refugee arrives. Our ability to provide ongoing assistance (sometimes for several additional months) is made possible through support from special state and federal programs, grants from private foundations, and contributions from individual donors. It is the expectation that long term support will come from community resources that are available to all community residents.

The resettlement process includes an extensive array of support services. Other than helping to address basic needs (housing and food), IRRP staff work closely with individual refugees and a wide range of agencies and community-based organizations to “connect” these individuals with the support services and programs available to them. Enrollment in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes, access to nutrition and health services, school placement assistance, and job placement assistance are just a few of “connections” IRRP helps a refugee make during the first month or two of residence in New Hampshire.

We work with the existing network of service providers in New Hampshire, and also welcome the volunteer efforts of individuals and groups interested in helping to acclimate and educate, and otherwise welcome our new neighbors to America and our community.

IRRP HOME

Interfaith Refugee Resettlement
261 Sheep Davis Rd., A-1
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 224-8111 fx. 224-5473
amarchildon@lssne.org