CFC Supports our Immigrants and Refugees

Rochester, NY… Catholic Family Center (CFC) supports immigrant and refugee families as part of our mission. This work includes providing shelter and support for unaccompanied children arriving in the US. However, we have not been asked to provide support to any of the children separated from their families because of the President’s zero tolerance policy. We are not aware that any of these children have been brought to the Rochester area.

CFC does not normally receive or participate in programs that take children who are separated from their parents at the border. Who we do serve are:

• Refugees accepted by the US Government to resettle here; we are the lead refugee resettlement agency in Rochester, NY
• Documented Immigrants who are seeking support for employment, and application processes associated with obtaining citizenship;
• Unaccompanied minor children who present themselves at the border, usually fleeing gang violence, extreme poverty or domestic abuse. If accepted into the US, CFC is a certified foster care agency that will place the youth in a foster family and assist them as they and apply for documented legal status.

CFC has served Unaccompanied Refugee Minors accepted to resettle in the US since the 1980s, and has accepted unaccompanied minor children who present at the border since 2007.

The process by which youth are cared for in our program begins with a review of the youth’s specific needs as a whole. This includes their medical, emotional, social, educational and developmental needs. They are then matched with a foster family who can provide for those needs. The youth and foster family will engage in conversations prior to the youth arriving in Rochester. The foster parents are dedicated to caring for and supporting the youth throughout their time here with us.

The above services and programs are warmly and generously supported by other agencies, volunteers, donors and foster families throughout Rochester, and we are very grateful!

About Catholic Family Center: Catholic Family Center (CFC) is Greater Rochester’s largest provider of comprehensive family services. Each year we assist tens of thousands of our neighbors, relatives and friends as they work to remain or become healthy, productive, participating members of our community. We serve all people—regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, age, ability or gender. Our programs work together to address the many issues of human need across all stages of life.