FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 15, 2021

ARLINGTON, Va. - This National Migration Week (Monday, September 20 - Sunday, September 26) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington is hosting a series of trainings and events to raise awareness of and provide support for refugees and immigrants. The week begins with professional legal staff providing an overview of U.S. immigration law and policy and culminates in a winter clothing distribution to refugees and immigrants on Saturday, September 25. (Pre-registration is required for the clothing distribution and is now closed.) National Migration Week is a week-long observance the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops began more than 30 years ago.

“This year's observance is particularly poignant as our nation opens its arms to refugees from around the world, particularly Special Immigrant Visa holders from Afghanistan, who are fleeing violence and oppression,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Catholic Diocese of Arlington. “The week provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the difficult and often heart-breaking circumstances confronting so many migrants, including refugees, immigrants, and victims and survivors of human trafficking.” See full statement here.  

National Migration Week

Monday, September 20
11 a.m. | Immigration 101: Current Immigration Law & Policy with Stacy Jones, Program Director at Hogar Immigrant Services
Location: Virtual
RSVP(Required): For more information and to register, click here.
6:30 p.m. | Workshop: The Path to Citizenship with Sydney Bright, Naturalization Manager
Location: Virtual
RSVP(Required): For more information and to register, click here.

Tuesday, September 21
12-2 p.m. | Refugee Simulation: Walking a Mile in their Shoes Interactive/In-Person
Location: St. Mary of Sorrows, 10500 Zion Dr., Fairfax, VA 22032
RSVP: Emailvolunteer.newcomer@ccda.net
6 p.m. | Refugee Simulation/Virtual
RSVP(Required): To attend virtual session, register here.

Wednesday, September 22
10-11:30 a.m. | How Parishes Can Welcome Immigrants and Refugees
Location: Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, Atonement Hall, 46833 Harry Byrd Hwy, Sterling, VA 20164
RSVP(Required by September 16): Please emailvolunteer@ccda.net.

Thursday, September 23
12 p.m. | Mass for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Celebrated by Bishop Burbidge
Location: Cathedral of St. Thomas More, 3901 Cathedral Lane, Arlington, VA 22203
Livestream available here.
5:30 p.m. | Volunteer & Professional Opportunities in Immigration Session
Location: Virtual
RSVP(Required): For more information and to register, click here.

Friday, September 24
10 a.m. | Job Fair for Newcomer Services Clients
Location: Virtual
RSVP(Required): For more information and to register, click here.

Saturday, September 25
10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Winter Clothing Distribution to Newcomers
REGISTRATION CLOSED
Distribution Locations:
Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services
80 N. Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA22203
Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services
100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 135, Fredericksburg, VA 22406
Catholic Charities Mother of Mercy Clinic
13900 Churchill Dr., Woodbridge, VA 22191
Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services
8247 Shoppers Square, Manassas, VA 20111Registration Closed

Sunday, September 26
10:15-11:15 a.m. | Pickup To-Go Meals Catered by Foodhini
Location: Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services, 80 N. Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22203
Pre-order required here.

Interested Media:
Contact Amber Roseboom, Director of Media Relations, Catholic Diocese of Arlington at 571-215-8731 or Amber.Roseboom@arlingtondiocese.org.

Each year, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington's Newcomer Services assists more than 3,000 immigrants and refugees with a wide range of services ranging from low-cost legal assistance to employment and educational opportunities and family reunification.

As the crisis in Afghanistan unfolded, the number of Afghan SIV holders served by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington's Migration and Refugee Services (MRS), an arm of Newcomer Services, dramatically increased. More than 200 SIV- holders from Afghanistan came to MRS for support in the last 6-8 weeks alone. The organization resettled more than 393 Afghan SIV holders this fiscal year to date and plans to almost double that number in the coming year.

As part of resettlement, MRS helps fully integrate SIV holders into American society. The organization aids in securing housing, learning English, gaining an understanding of American culture, and securing employment, having helped secure jobs for 454 refugees (including SIVs) this fiscal year alone. MRS also helps children enroll in school and provides mentoring throughout the school year. SIV families receive housing support for three months, after which they must be self-sufficient. Other supportive services can be provided up to five years.

Overall, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington has welcomed more than 2,600 SIV holders to Northern Virginia in the last 6 years alone and has been offering support to newcomers since 1974.

For more information on Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, visit here.

For additional information, contact Amber Roseboom, Director of Media Relations, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, at 571-215-8731 or Amber.Roseboom@arlingtondiocese.org.

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Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington serves the poor and vulnerable who live within the 21 counties and seven cities of the Diocese of Arlington, which is led by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. Catholic Charities provides food for the hungry, a free medical clinic for adults including prenatal care, adoption services, transformational housing for the homeless, mental health counseling, emergency financial assistance, prison ministry, workforce development and immigration and refugee services. Catholic Charities serves all, regardless of faith.www.ccda.net.