CFC receives funding to support services for immigrants and refugees

Rochester, NY… CFC has been awarded three grants totaling nearly $2.4M that will positively impact our city’s ability to support immigrants seeking naturalization and citizenship, and to help immigrants and refugees seeking employment skills with a better means to support themselves and their families.

DHS awards $225K to fund the Rochester Citizenship Education & Training Project

The US Department of Homeland Security has awarded $225,000 over three years to fund a Rochester Citizenship Education & Training Project. This project is a partnership between Catholic Family Center and local adult education centers (OACES and BOCES) to promote citizenship and enhance naturalization capacity, commencing October 1, 2018.

DHS awards $250K to fund the Rochester Refugee Career Pathways

The Office of Refugee Resettlement, an office within the US Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded $250,000 over two years to CFC to develop and operate a Career Pathways program for refugees in Monroe County. This project will enable refugees to secure professional or skilled employment that will provide the means for their long-term self-sufficiency and prosperity in their new community. CFC will operate this program in concert with other workforce development and anti-poverty initiatives in Monroe County, particularly with partners such as the Rochester City School District and the local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) authorized career center, RochesterWorks!

CFC receives $1.8M grant for Refugee Social Services Program

Samuel Roberts, Commissioner of the NY State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), announces Catholic Family Center as the sole awardee in Monroe County of a New York State Refugee Social Services Program (RSSP) award in the amount of up to $1,814,635 over 5 years, beginning January 1, 2019. CFC currently provides these services in Monroe County, but must participate in an open and competitive application process each cycle to maintain program funding. This award will enable Catholic Family Center to continue to provide employment services and training to refugees and immigrants in our community.

Jim Morris, Vice President of Catholic Family Center’s Family Services programs, provides this statement: “We are extremely gratified by the confidence our funders have in our agency’s programs and services that support the stability and education of immigrants in our community. These awards recognize our wide and deep capacity for refugee and employment work in the Rochester community. We will continue to improve these, in collaboration with our partners, to create difference-making opportunities for those who hope for more for themselves and their families.”

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.