Few people realize how distant wars can cast a shadow over people in New Jersey. In 1996, Rose H. came to IINJ looking for help in rescuing her son Stephen and her grandson, whom she had not seen for nearly eight years, due to the horrible civil war that had raged in Liberia, a war that resulted in the deaths of more than 60,000 civilians.
Stephen’s father had perished in the war, and Stephen himself had been tortured, along with other members of the family.
Through IINJ’s Refugee Resettlement Program, Stephen and his son were brought to the United States in 1998, reunited with Rose, and helped to begin new lives in America.
IINJ staff referred Stephen for medical care and found him a job. They helped him enroll in a local community college to prepare for a career in computer programming. And finally, they located his wife and new-born child in Ghana and brought them to the United States in early 2000.
Since its inception 20 years ago, the International Institute of New Jersey’s Refugee Resettlement Program has resettled more than 2,000 refugees from all over the world. Through a Cooperative Agreement with the Department of State, administered by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, our national umbrella organization, IINJ works to ensure that arriving refugees attain economic self-sufficiency through the provision of an array of services.
Sponsored refugees receive a cash resettlement grant upon arrival to cover such costs as housing and furnishings. Bilingual case workers help refugees access needed services ranging from medical care, English language training, housing, employment, vocational counseling and referral, to medical assistance, mental health counseling and social adjustment services.
Contact:
Dennis Lopez
email: dlopez@iinj.org
Tel.: 201 653-3888 ext. 106
