Refugee Resettlement

“For I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

Matthew 25:35

In 2011 St. Joseph embarked on a new service program to act as a "host family" for refugees resettling to Northwest Arkansas.

A refugee is someone who has been granted citizenship to the U.S. because they are unable to return to their home due to war and persecution. Most of the 80,000 refugees who legally enter this country every year have experienced first-hand the horrors of war, including loss of home, job, schools, and, sadly, the lives of family and friends. Through a unique partnership with Catholic Charities in Springdale, St. Joseph is helping some of these individuals rebuild their lives here in Fayetteville.

Our role as host family includes the provision of safe and affordable housing, as well as, necessary furnishings for several months while they hone their English skills and secure employment. We will help them get a driver’s licenses and provide transportation when necessary. Working closely with their social worker at Catholic Charities, we will forge essential links to a wide range of resources, including educational institutions, employment opportunities, multicultural centers, religious organizations, and other social networks.

But, most importantly, we will provide a warm welcome and offer our sincere friendship as they begin the long and arduous process of starting over.