Mission Statement

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Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Rockford continues the ministry of Jesus in faithfulness to the Magisterium of the Church
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Our mission is to serve God's people for the common good with compassion, dignity and respect; to assist people in achieving a degree of independence consonant with their human dignity; and to work in solidarity with the Church and other people of goodwill in advocating for justice.

Refugee Resettlement Program

Contact:  Janet Biljeskovic at (815) 399-1709 or
click here to send an email.

Click here to view power point and learn more about our Refugee Resettlement Program!

Refugees arriving to Rockford


 

Welcome cards from St. Bridget's 4th grade class

Mission Statement


Migration and Refugee Services carries out the commitment of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to serve and advocate for refugees, asylees, and forced migrants, immigrants, and other people on the move.  Special concern is given to the most vulnerable among these populations, such as, but not limited to, minors unaccompanied by parents or adult guardians and the victims of human trafficking.  This commitment is rooted in the Gospel mandate that every person is to be welcomed by the disciple as if he or she were Christ Himself and in the right of every human being to pursue, without constraint, the call to holiness.

Vision Statement

Creating a world where immigrants, refugees, migrants, and people on the move
are treated with dignity, respect, welcome and belonging.

                      


 

Services Provided

There are 16 million refugees worldwide who have had to flee their homelands because of persecution due to their religious or political beliefs. Our goal is to provide a compassionate response to this crisis by assisting refugee families to begin their new life in America. We provide initial food and housing, meet the family at thier point of arrival, assist them to obtain social security cards, enroll the children in school, provide English classes for the adults and health screening and physical exams for all. We provide cultural orientation and help them find a job, always with the goal of early self-sufficency.

 

 


 

Would you like to help a Refugee?

Most Refugees come with only the clothes on thier backs and their travel documents, so we are in the need of the following donations:

  • Household items (sheets, towels, dishes, cookware, televisions)
  • Furniture
  • Bicycles (often the only trnasportation they will have to get to work)

For Donations:  (815) 399-1709

 

Volunteer Opportunities

Anyone, anywhere can be a volunteer. No special qualifications are needed - only a desire to reach our and help another human being. No matter what your talents, no matter how much or little time you may have to give...you can help provide new life opportunities for refugees. There are many ways you can be a volunteer.

  • greet refugees upon their arrival
  • find appropriate housing for refugees
  • collect needed household goods and furnishings
  • assist them in budgeting
  • introduce them to their new neighboorhood or community
  • find jobs for employable refugees
  • teach them English
  • provide transportation
  • be a friend

Each voluteer has special talents. And there is always room for innovation. You can help refugees in a way that is best suited for you. For more information click here to download our volunteer brochure.

The Rewards of  Helping Refugees

  • Allows us to experience the joy of helping victims or war and violence to rebuild their lives.
  • Increase our fellowship within the parish community.
  • Gives us the privilege of personally observing and learning about another culture.
  • Strengthens our faith as it is translated into social action.

With your help we can acheive our goal to make these families self-sufficient and productive members of our community.