Refugees are individuals who have fled their country due to persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a certain social group. A refugee is approved and processed outside of the US and enters with permission to stay.

Like a refugee, an asylee also flees persecution. However, an asylee enters the US first and then requests permission to stay by applying for asylum. An immigrant chooses to leave his or her country for economic or family reasons.

Currently there are an estimated 13 to 15 million refugees throughout the world, with women and children being the majority.

The Matching Grant program is an alternative approach to welfare. Funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), the Matching Grant program provides resettlement assistance to refugees administered locally through voluntary agencies. The goal of Match Grant is to help refugees achieve self-sufficiency within four months of their arrival without accessing public cash assistance.

IM relies on individuals and groups to assist with welcoming tasks. For more information on how you can help, please visit our Volunteer Opportunities page.

Please contact Ali Al Sudani, Director, Refugee Services, at 713.533.4900.