Employment & Education

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Today more than 19 million refugees around the world are fleeing war, terrorism, religious persecution, and other forms of danger. These are people of all ages being forced from their own countries by war or political unrest. Many are families with young children who will spend years in refugee camps before they are granted permission to enter the United States. They arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs. Samaritas helps make a new life possible with our New Americans refugee resettlement program in Michigan. We provide each refugee with employment and education support to obtain self-sufficiency, successful integration and become contributors to society within one year of arrival. This program can help fulfill dreams of a safe, healthy life that's full of opportunities. As the fourth largest refugee resettlement agency in the US, Samaritas' programs have helped make a difference in the lives of thousands of New Americans.

Our goal is to provide refugee students and their parents a smooth transition to the U.S. public school system. Services include School Liaison Services, Volunteer Recruitment, Family Engagement, Peer Support, Tutoring and English as a Second Language classes. Call us at (248) 423-2790 to discuss how Samaritas can work with your school.

The goal of the mentor program is to provide positive role models to our refugee and immigrant foster care youth. Mentors will work toward helping our youth adjust to the culture of the United States as well as help to improve their personal, social, and independent living skills. The program also provides mentors with trainings, support groups, and opportunities to grow as a leader within the community.

Services for refugees in partnership with the Departments of Health and Human Services in several Michigan counties. Services include job placement and development, English as a Second Language classes and tutoring, employment training, and retention services until refugees have been here for 5 years.

For more information on these programs, please contact our Refugee Employment Office at (248) 423-2790

mother and child

If you can employ refugees at your business, please contact:

Employment, Detroit
– Vesna Cizmic, Program Manager,
vcizm@samaritas.org
(248) 663-0710

Resettlement, Detroit
– Mihaela Mitrofan, Program Manager,
mmitr@samaritas.org
(248) 663-8125

West Michigan (Grand Rapids, Battle Creek and Lansing)
– Christopher Cavanaugh, Program Manager,
ccava@samaritas.org
(616) 356-1934

Employers who hire refugees may qualify for tax credits or grants to provide tools and uniforms for refugees. The federal Match Grant program in Detroit and Grand Rapids, offers incentives to refugees who find work quickly and do not need to rely on public assistance. The program provides employment training, placement and transportation.