Refugee Resettlement
adjusting to life in a new culture

The Immigration and Refugee Program of Church World Service (CWS/IRP) is an ecumenical family empowering churches to show hospitality to strangers, that is, to immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and other uprooted people in the United States and around the world. CWS/IRP resettles about 5,000 refugees in the United States each year, and also helps meet the needs of people in protracted refugee situations and refugees returning home.

Since 1946, CWS/IRP, its member denominations including the Church of the Brethren, and congregations across the United States have helped resettle more than 400,000 refugees. They work hand-in-hand with a network of 42 refugee resettlement affiliates to lend support as refugees begin safe, new lives in U.S. communities. In the Christian tradition of hospitality, CWS/IRP offers hope to thousands who come from extremely difficult conditions.

"I was a stranger, and you took me in." These familiar words from Matthew 25 reminds us that this ministry of hospitality was dear to our Lord's heart. Jesus was a refugee in Egypt as were his Jewish forbears. We do well to care for today's refugees in his name.

For more information, contact CWS/IRP at 212-870-3300 or visit www.churchworldservice.org/Immigration/. To find your nearest CWS affiliate resettlement office, visit www.churchworldservice.org/Immigration/affiliates.html