Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Program (IRRP)
Welcoming New Neighbors

Part of orientation to life in American, includes safety instruction. Here Lt. Ken Kiehl of the Concord Fire Department demonstrates what to do in case of fire.

To begin to understand the “resettlement process” we must step back from all of our assumptions about American culture, and imagine a situation where we are suddenly in a totally new place. We need to imagine being in a place where a language “other than English” is spoken, and where we have a range of new responsibilities and cultural imperatives to learn about… as quickly as possible!

Refugees are extraordinary people. The individuals and families who are coming to New Hampshire as refugees are fleeing a range of intolerable and life-threatening situations, and many have spent several years in refugee camps. Those who eventually make it to the United States, and to New Hampshire, have survived circumstances that few of us could imagine.

The following description provides an overview of the resettlement process and program orchestrated by the IRRP for refugee individuals and families that come to New Hampshire.

Please note that the IRRP services described here are available only to refugees who are part of our program. Information about services for immigrants can be found at www.usimmigrationsupport.org/.

Community Orientation

The IRRP seeks to inform the local community about the refugee resettlement initiatives that are happening in their community, and provide opportunities to learn more about them. We consider helping the local community understand more about the cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds of their new neighbors an important aspect of our work. Some community orientation efforts are accomplished with support from volunteers.

Arrival

The IRRP staff and volunteers who have been matched with new families meet each individual or family at the airport, and take them to their new home. IRRP receives donated furniture and furnishes all apartments. Each family receives the basic items required by the Department of State. Some families receive additional items, particularly when they are sponsored by a religious or social group.

Initial Orientation

For the initial weeks of resettlement, the IRRP staff and volunteers work closely with all refugees to familiarize them with their new community and the requisite responsibilities of being a resident of the United States and New Hampshire. As you can imagine, there are a host of new issues and responsibilities that refugees need to learn about, understand, and integrate as they resettle in their new home.

Food assistance

The program provides food for the initial few weeks of resettlement. The IRRP staff/volunteers works with refugees to understand the “shopping” process in their new community, and how to apply for and use food stamps.

Health screening and medical assistance

The IRRP staff works with refugees and local health services for an initial health screening and, if necessary, ongoing health/medical support services (see Health Services).

School enrollment

The IRRP staff f works with refugee families and school officials to register children in school, and also to link school staff with additional resources that can help make this transition for refugee children as smooth as possible.

Social security card application

As a prelude to employment, and as part of the cultural education process, the IRRP staff helps the adult refugee apply for a social security card/number, as well as understand the social security system in the United States as a prerequisite for employment.

English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)

All refugees are enrolled in the ESOL class nearest them as soon as possible after their arrival (See ESOL).

Ongoing Orientation and Cultural Adjustment

Funding for the intense and direct refugee support provided by IRRP staff during the first few months of resettlement is very limited. Therefore, one of the most important tasks of the IRRP staff is to help all refugees understand their new responsibilities during this initial period, and help connect them to the array of other community-based services that are available to them.

Expanded cultural orientation

Throughout the initial few months of resettlement, the IRRP staff convenes additional cultural orientation sessions for refugees that include, but are not necessarily limited to, education about:

– Banks and credit unions
– The police department and law enforcement system
– Mental health services
– The public school system

Often these topics are also offered as part of the English as a Second Language curriculum.

Employment

There is a strong expectation that all new arrivals participating in the program become employed as soon as possible. The IRRP participates in the federal Matching Grant program that discourages reliance on public assistance, and encourages early employment for all refugees.

For more information about refugee job placement services call the IRRP Job Developer at 603-224-8111.

Health Services

Refugees often have medical issues when they first arrive in the United States. While IRRP staff coordinate initial health screenings and follow-up medical appointments, all refugees are supported and encouraged to learn about the health services available to them, and become self-sufficient in using them appropriately. Concord: in order to meet the needs of refugees more effectively, the Family Health Center at Concord Hospital has worked with the Health Case Manager of IRRP, to set up special clinic days for refugees. During these times, the particular needs of refugees can be addressed. Manchester: IRRP works with a variety of medical providers in Manchester to coordinate the medical needs of the refugees. The primary service providers include: the Manchester Health Department, Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic, the Manchester Community Health Center, and Child Health Services.

To learn more about the health-related aspects of our work call the Health Case Manager at the IRRP office at 603-224-8111.

Injury, Poison Prevention and Lead Awareness

In Concord, a special safety program was started this spring. By working together with staff from Concord Hospital, the Northern New England Poison Center, the Concord Fire Department, Concord Police Department, and Even Start, IRRP is developing a curriculum that will address some of the safety concerns of the refugees and their children.

Because refugee children often come from situations where a healthy diet is not available, many of the children are more susceptible to lead poisoning. IRRP has worked with the NH State lead Program, the Manchester Health Department to understand the exposure to lead, to learn how to identify lead safe and lead free housing, and to insure lead testing is completed for all new refugee children.

IRRP HOME

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