Refugee Cash Assistance Program is sponsored by US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants Vermont. Provides transitional financial assistance for newly arrived refugees and asylees in Vermont.

USCRI Office in Vermont - U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants USCRI Office in Vermont - U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants USCRI Vermont has been welcoming newcomers to Vermont since 1980. Our dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and community partners supports these refugees and immigrants with access to affordable housing, medical and mental health support, education, employment, community connections, and more.

Refugees resettled in Vermont come primarily from Bhutan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Iraq, Russia, Somalia, Syria, and Ukraine. Director: Sonali Samarasinghe Field Office Director: Sonali Samarasinghe – Contact Employment, Housing and Interpreting: These services are offered to refugees and survivors of trafficking to help them get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

We provide in person interpretation in Vermont and remote interpretation and translation services nationwide. To request an interpreter please send an email to [email protected] Legal: The Immigration Legal Services Program offers low-cost, professional legal representation to low-income refugees and immigrants and their families with family- and humanitarian-based immigration matters.

Health and Mental Health: Health services and mental health counseling are provided to refugees, immigrants, unaccompanied minors and survivors of trafficking. Social Services: Social services may include family support, matching grants, employment, and intensive case management. Katharine I.

Crost brings to the organization wide-ranging experience in the field of securities and corporate finance as well as non-profit leadership. Ms. Crost was a partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP for over 30 years. Her extensive portfolio at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP included serving on the Firm’s Executive Committee, establishing and chairing the firm’s Women’s Initiative and acting as a Practice Group Leader.

Ms. Crost has been a passionate advocate on behalf of immigrants, refugees and global citizens worldwide. She has served as a Board Member of the Women’s Refugee Commission and currently serves as a Member of the Emeritus Board of Indego Africa, a non-profit that works to provide artisan women and young people in Africa training for sustainable livelihoods and access to markets.

Her commitment to empowerment and social justice has taken her to refugee camps in Ethiopia and Myanmar. She has represented pro bono clients in researching and preparing a report on shelters for unaccompanied minors and a training protocol for border patrol agents to screen for human trafficking victims. She currently volunteers at USCRI’s field office in Albany, New York.

Katharine Crost earned a J. D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a Bachelor of Music degree from Michigan State University.

Refugee Health Promotion (RHP) Refugee Health Promotion (RHP) is a Refugee Support Services (RSS) set-aside program that promotes the health and wellbeing of refugees and other ORR-eligible groups for up to 5-years from date of arrival to the U.S. or date of ORR-eligibility by: 1) Providing opportunities to increase health literacy, 2) Coordinating physical and mental health care; and 3) Organizing wellness group activities.

RHP-funded organizations may provide services that fall under one or more of these categories, which is dependent on each individual agency’s annual proposal and program design. The nature of services provided can also vary by agency, even within the same category, so it is always best to reach out to them directly to obtain information and coordinate care.

Health Education Program (HEP): Health Education Classes and Targeted Health Outreach to Individuals. Programs provide opportunities to increase health literacy for eligible populations, empowering clients to make informed health decisions. Health Navigation Program (HNP): Medical and Mental Health Navigation and Support.

Programs coordinating health care for individuals and providing services to ensure individuals can navigate and access complex health care systems. Adjustment Groups, Skill-Building Networks, and Peer Support Meetings. Programs organize wellness groups to connect individuals with social groups and learning activities that promote their health and well-being.

Missouri Refugee Health Services subcontracts with a combination of community-based organizations, federally qualified health centers and local resettlement agencies to implement the above programs.

ICNA Relief Health Education and Wellness Groups for Afghan individuals Monarch Immigrant Services Health Navigation and Wellness Groups for all ORR-eligible populations Affinia Healthcare Health Education and Health Navigation for complex medical health conditions for all ORR-eligible populations Kindness Begins with Me Health Education and Wellness Groups for Afghan individuals Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education (RAISE) Health Education, Health Navigation and Wellness Groups for all ORR-eligible populations Access Family Care Health Navigation for complex medical health conditions for all ORR-eligible populations Monarch Immigrant Services Health Education and Health Navigation services for Afghan individuals Della Lamb Community Services Health Education, Health Navigation and Wellness Group activities for all ORR-eligible populations Jewish Vocational Services Health Navigation for all ORR-eligible populations Immigration Legal Services Suite 350, Houston , TX 77082 Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA): USCRI administers this program to provide high quality, cost-effective health benefits to refugees and other ORR-eligible groups, who are ineligible for Medicaid in Missouri. RMA provides up to 4 months of health insurance that mirrors the state’s Medicaid program for adults without children or others in special circumstances, such as adults 65+ or living with a disability who are pending SSI/Medicaid.

In Fiscal Year 2027, with H. R. 1 (“OBBA”) ending decades of Medicaid coverage for refugees and other humanitarian parolees, Missouri’s RMA usage is expected to grow exponentially for newcomers.

This program, however, will continue to only cover refugees for up to 4-months from their date of arrival to the United States, even with upcoming shifts in policy leaving many refugees uninsured for long periods of time until their status is adjusted to meet Medicaid program eligibility. In response to the H. R.

1, USCRI is creating a directory for low-cost and free healthcare providers in Missouri. To accomplish this goal, USCRI has created a form to gather health resources that currently exist in the major Missouri regions of resettlement. If you are aware of a free or an affordable healthcare service in your community, please take a few minutes to fill out the form, by clicking here or using the QR code.

MO RHS partners with local agencies in Saint Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, Joplin and Springfield to enroll eligible clients into the RMA program.

International Institute of Saint Louis Jewish Vocational Services Della Lamb Community Services Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education (RAISE) International Institute of Southwest Missouri (IISMO) USCRI Missouri maintains a Resource Hub and a Master List of Resources which are consistently updated.

Looking for potential partnership opportunities, or in need of support or additional resources please reach out to us at [email protected] . Refugee Medical Screening (RMS): USCRI administers this program to provide domestic refugee physical and mental health assessment, identify communicable diseases of potential public health importance and referrals to primary healthcare providers.

The Refugee Medical Screening program conducts the domestic health assessment for new ORR-eligible arrivals, following guidance issued by ORR and Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) , referring clients to primary care and specialists as needed. The Refugee Medical Screening must be completed for each new ORR-eligible arrival within 30-90 days post arrival to the United States or from their date of ORR-eligibility.

Missouri Refugee Health Services subcontracts with four federally qualified health centers to provide complete domestic health assessment and vaccinations to new arrivals. Those clinics are located in Saint Louis, Kansas City, Joplin and Springfield: Saint Louis – Affinia Healthcare at the South Broadway location. Kansas City – Samuel U.

Rodgers Health Center – Downtown Campus (Euclid Ave) Joplin – Access Family Care – Joplin Medical and Dental Clinics and Pharmacy Springfield – Jordan Valley Community Health Center – Tampa Clinic It is important to note that immunizations given at or during Refugee Health Screening appointments are the same ones required for the Adjustment of Status (or “Green Card”) process with a Civil Surgeon.

Initiating Medical Screening as soon as ORR-eligible individuals meet eligibility is very important and ensures that families are more prepared for Status Adjustment when they file for their I-693 application.

Refugee Wellness Program (RWP): Through training opportunities and resource sharing, the Refugee Wellness Program (RWP) empowers local organizations and community members to feel confident supporting refugees building resilience and encouraging them to seek help for physical and mental health challenges. Trainings Options: All program trainings are free, two hours in length and are offered virtually or in-person.

Intersection of Culture and Trauma in the Care of Diverse Population: Training helps participants understand how to provide culturally informed and trauma informed care, as well understand the nuances of mental health cross-culturally.

Intersection of Culture and Trauma in the Care of Diverse Populations: Refugee and Immigrant Youth Training helps participants understand culture, trauma and mental health as it relates to refugee and immigrant youth in the classroom. Christine Herrmann became USCRI’s Director of Development in the summer of 2025, taking on the role as the organization faced widespread federal funding rescissions.

The position allows her to lead a dedicated team of fundraisers while staying emotionally connected to her immigrant ancestors. Replacing government funding with new sources of support may seem like an immense job, but people are being incredibly generous in helping immigrants and refugees who want to be New Americans and live better lives.

Christine has worked in the nonprofit world for 20+ years at organizations like Physicians for Social Responsibility, National Academies of the Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, the Red Cross and National Association for the Education of Young Children. Her work has focused on development, strategic growth, board/staff engagement and advocacy.

Throughout her career, she has been inspired by colleagues striving for a better world and has connected with donors who share that passion and purpose. Some have dedicated their lives to confronting climate change and ending the threat of nuclear weapons. Others dream of a world where everyone has food, shelter, and the chance of a great education beginning before birth.

All of them share a belief in seeing goodness beyond color or ethnicity. She has served as president of the Friends of SW DC Public Library, as a board member of Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, and as a mentor to middle school girls through Higher Achievement. Christine received her BA in International Relations from San Francisco State University.

She is a writer and artist in her spare time. Zeze Rwasama is Director of Refugee Services. He has dedicated the 20 years of his life providing social integration and self-sufficient services to refugees and immigrants.

Prior to joining USCRI, I was the Executive Director of a local refugee resettlement for 10 years and currently overseeing the implementation of the Initial Resettlement, Matching Grant and Preferred Community programs at USCRI focusing on program outcomes, technical assistance, monitoring to ensure quality of services and compliance of federal guidelines.

Zeze’s childhood dream of pursuing a career in electronics engineering took a turn towards helping disadvantaged refugees when he became a refugee. His personal journey as a refugee in 1995 ignited his passion for supporting refugees, leading him to accumulate extensive refugee services experience both within and outside the United States.

Additionally, he has contributed his expertise to the boards of several non-profit organizations, including the Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho, Culture for Change, and the Valley House Homeless Shelter Ryan Mace is the Director of Policy and Communications at USCRI.

In this role, he leads a team of policy and communications professionals committed to advancing USCRI’s mission to uphold the rights and expand the opportunities of refugees and immigrants in the United States and around the world. Ryan brings more than 15 years of experience shaping refugee, migration, and human rights policy through roles in the U.S. government, Congress, and leading NGOs.

At the U.S. Department of State, he advanced U.S. initiatives on refugee resettlement diplomacy and global displacement within the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

He has led policy and advocacy efforts at Amnesty International USA, American Jewish World Service, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (now Global Refuge), and began his career working on immigration and foreign policy issues for U.S. Senator Patty Murray in both her Washington, D. C. and state offices.

He holds a Master’s in Security Studies from Georgetown University, with a certificate in Refugees, Migration, and Humanitarian Emergencies, and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Gonzaga University. Julie came to USCRI in 2024 with 23 years of legal experience, including leadership, management, and program experience.

Prior to her role at USCRI, she served as a Judge Advocate General in the United States Air Force for 14 years where she held various positions including prosecuting violent crimes, representing victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, contract management, and ethics. Julie also has experience managing teams located across multiple offices. Gene DeFelice is an accomplished attorney as well as a seasoned corporate executive.

His areas of expertise include business management, compliance and corporate governance. Mr. DeFelice is currently the Managing Director of Novo Strategic Partners, a company specializing in legal and corporate management solutions including compliance; governance; human capital; licensing, mergers and acquisitions; regulatory issues; legislative affairs; and forensic services.

Previously Mr. DeFelice served as the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Rackspace, a global leader in cloud computing and IT infrastructure with approximately 6,200 employees and $2 billion in revenue. He was Executive Vice President, Corporate Counsel and Corporate Secretary for HMS, a $450 million public healthcare technology, healthcare data analytics and medical services company.

He has extensive experience in management, compliance and governance in Fortune 500 companies across a number of industries, including medical technology, healthcare analytics, pharmaceuticals, cloud computing and IT infrastructure. Mr. DeFelice has sat on the boards of a number of non-profit organizations, donating his time and expertise to improving non-profit management and operations.

He served for many years as USCRI’s Board Chairman. Mr. DeFelice graduated from Rutgers University, earned an M. B.

A. with distinction from Webster University in Switzerland, and was awarded a Doctor of Law from Seton Hall University. Gabriel Lajeunesse is a financial advisor and former U.S. Air Force officer with over 30 years of experience in national security, wealth management, and community development.

He served for two decades in international security roles, including assignments advising the Joint Chiefs of Staff and supporting National Security Council committees at The White House. His final deployment to Afghanistan included leading a multinational team of over 600 personnel. He is a Bronze Star recipient for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Following his military career, Mr. Lajeunesse transitioned into financial advising, specializing in portfolio strategy, business transitions, and real estate investments. He holds certifications as a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Accredited Asset Management Specialist, and is admitted to the D. C.

Bar. He is the founder of Aacred Development Holdings, a real estate private equity firm focused on Smart Growth housing in Northern New England. He also serves as a planning commissioner and member of the Vermont Community Development Board.

Mr. Lajeunesse holds degrees from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Naval Postgraduate School, Georgetown University Law Center, and an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology. John T. Monahan, JD, is interim dean at the School of Nursing & Health Studies and senior advisor to Georgetown University’s President.

A Georgetown community member for many years, he holds Georgetown academic appointments as Professor of Medicine, Senior Lecturer at Georgetown Law, and Senior Fellow at the School of Public Policy, and has taught courses at NHS, Georgetown Law, and the School of Foreign Service.

Over the course of his professional career, the core of Monahan’s work has focused on addressing complex health and social service programs affecting vulnerable populations in the United States and internationally.

In his varied career, Monahan has served as Legal Counsel to US Senator David Pryor; Law Clerk to US District Court Chief Judge John Grady; and is a veteran of numerous political races, including the Mondale and Clinton presidential campaigns.

A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, he serves on the boards of the National Network for Public Health Law, US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, and Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless. Monahan holds bachelors and law degrees cum laude from Georgetown University.

VICE CHAIR & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR Jeffrey Metzger, an attorney who has worked in corporate, government, and private practice, brings to USCRI’s Board of Directors extensive legal expertise in ethics and compliance as well as a personal drive to serve the refugee and immigrant community.

Most recently, Mr. Metzger was Staff Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Unisys Corporation, where he was responsible for the company’s litigation, counseling the company’s government businesses, and directing the company’s federal government contracts organization. He also designed the company’s first ethics compliance program and then served as Corporate Ethics Officer.

Before coming to Unisys, Mr. Metzger served on the professional staff of the President’s Blue-Ribbon Commission on Defense Management, where he was principally responsible for making recommendations on defense industry compliance issues. He also served in the Civil Division of the Department of Justice for a number of years, representing the United States in procurement fraud and government contract litigation.

Before joining Justice, he worked in private law practice in Washington, D. C. He earned a B.

A. , magna cum laude, from Amherst College, and a J. D.

from Georgetown University Law School.

Ukrainian parolees who are displaced from the war and are seeking permanent resident status in the U.S. through ORR PC II Supplement funding Resettled refugees in obtaining their work permits and green cards through Refugee Support Services (RSS) T: 216-781-4560, Extension: 3 ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ANTI-TRAFFICKING SERVICES Bart Bachman is the Associate Director of Trafficking Services at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), where he oversees administration of the Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP) and the Child Trafficking Victim Assistance Demonstration Program (Aspire).

He started with USCRI’s TVAP program in 2017 and previously served as the regional Program Officer monitoring project implementation in ACF Regions 1, 2, 3, and 10. Prior to joining USCRI, Bart worked at the Migration Policy Institute in its International Program, where he published an article in the Migration Information Source entitled “Diminishing Solidarity: Polish Attitudes toward the European Migration and Refugee Crisis.

” He holds an M. A. in German and European Studies and a B.

S. in International Politics from Georgetown University. Taylor McNaboe is the Director of International Programs at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI).

In his role, he oversees USCRI’s international programs in El Salvador, Kenya, Mexico, and Honduras in addition to undertaking the expansion of USCRI’s field offices in Latin America and Africa. He began working at USCRI in 2021 as a Program Assistant for the Reception and Placement (R&P) and Afghan Placement and Assistance (APA) Programs.

Additionally, Taylor has prior experience with NGOs in the Middle East and North Africa that deal with migration-related issues. He has an MA in Intercultural Mediation in the Mediterranean Region from Cà Foscari University and an undergraduate degree in French and Chinese from the University of Edinburgh.

Surviving Trauma and Reaching Success (STARS) program USCRI operates a 3-year Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) program that serves foreign born survivors of trafficking who are residing in the Detroit metro area. With over 25 years of dedicated experience in working with vulnerable youth, Alejita Rodriguez brings a wealth of experience to the field of social work.

In 2021, Alejita joined USCRI as the shelter Director of Rinconcito del Sol, a role that highlights her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children. Alejita earned her Master’s degree from Grand Valley State University where she developed a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to address the complex challenges faced by vulnerable youth.

Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a profound commitment to program development, ensuring programs are both innovative and effective. This dedication extends to compliance, as she is well-versed in regulatory and legal requirements, ensuring the utmost safety and quality of care for the children under her supervision.

Alejita has been a catalyst for youth development, using her experience to create supportive, nurturing environments that enable children to thrive. Dr. Gursimran Grewal is a trained Medical Doctor with a wealth of experience in global public health, specializing in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Family Planning, Maternal and Child Health, and HIV/AIDS.

Over the past decade, she has provided technical leadership, project management, and financial oversight for large-scale programs across Asia and Africa, in partnership with international NGOs, private sector organizations, and governmental bodies. Her programs have been funded by a range of major donors, including BMGF, USAID, CDC, and others.

Currently, Dr. Grewal serves as the Director of USCRI’s Refugee Health Services, where she focuses on promoting the health and well-being of refugees resettled in the United States. She oversees the development and implementation of culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate health assessments, education, and referrals, working collaboratively with community partners to ensure high-quality care and support for refugees.

Mike is a non-profit leader and fundraising professional who has worked with refugee and international development organizations for more than 20 years. As Vice President of Strategic Development his team raises support for USCRI’s critical programs from the US government, foundations, corporations, and individual Americans.

Prior to USCRI, Mike served as the Executive Director of Ripple Effect US, a charity raising awareness and support in the United States for smallholder farming families in East Africa. He also served as Director of Development at Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and spent eight years at the US Association for UNHCR—the UN Refugee Agency—in various roles, including Associate Director and Acting Executive Director.

Mike has a MA in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and a BA in International Studies from American University. When he is not performing in his professional capacity, he is performing the duties of a husband and avid sports fanatic, rooting enthusiastically for his favorite football and college basketball teams.

Katharine Laud’s path has combined finance and non-profit management to provide opportunities to under-served communities, including women, minorities, immigrants and people of color for wealth creation. Ms. Laud is currently the President of Opportunities Credit Union, the 11th largest credit union in Vermont, which offers innovative and affordable financial services to Vermonters.

Before assuming her current position, Ms. Laud was the Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration at the University of Vermont Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to serving the university community. She was the Chief Financial Officer of a non-profit that focused on affordable housing for low-income people.

Ms. Laud has served on a number of corporate boards, including the Board of Directors for Provident Financial Services, a NYSE-trading bank holding company, a member of the Audit and Governance Committees and as Chair of the Wealth Management Committee. While serving on the Board of Directors of the First Morris Bank and Trust. She was instrumental in the founding of the Wealth Management Division.

Ms. Laud has used her extensive background in finance to build avenues to wealth creation and management for diverse and under-served communities in Vermont. She has brought corporate efficiencies to non-profit management to promote economic self-sufficiency among low-income people. Katharine Laud earned a B.

A. and an M. B.

A. at Dartmouth College. Earl Johnson serves as a Member of USCRI’s Board of Directors following a decades long career in public service at the federal and state level.

Mr. Johnson has been a leader nationwide in promoting responsible fatherhood and economic security issues related to men and boys of color. He was appointed by the White House to serve as the Director of the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (HHS/ACF). In this position Mr. Johnson oversaw an annual budget of $17.

8 billion. In this role, he was the principle policy and administrative manager for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Before accepting his current position, he was the Senior Policy Advisor and Interim Workforce Investment Board Director for the City of Oakland and Mayor Ron Dellums.

Prior to that he was the Senior Program Officer for the California Endowment and the Associate Director for the Rockefeller Foundation’s Working Communities Division. He also served as the Associate Secretary for Planning and Evaluation for the California Health and Human Services Agency. Mr. Johnson has worked serving families and children for his entire career.

He brings this passion to USCRI’s programs for refugee and migrant families and children. Earl Johnson has a Ph. D.

from UCLA’s School of Social Work and Public Policy. He holds an M. A.

from the University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy and a B. A. in Political Science from the American University in Washington, D.

C. He has also completed Harvard University’s Executive Management Program on Negotiation. Diann Dawson’s more than 38 years of distinguished public service as a senior executive combined with her leadership in the private sector adds immeasurable value to the work of USCRI’s Board of Directors.

Ms. Dawson is currently President and CEO of DDA & Associates, a human services consulting firm. She is a national and global advocate for children and family strengthening initiatives and serves as a director on several non-profit boards.

Prior to her retirement as a senior executive, she served as the Director of the Office of Regional Operations within the Administration for Children (ACF) and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

As principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary on field operations, she provided executive leadership and directions to ACF’s ten regional offices on the integration and coordination of more than 65 human services programs to promote the well-being of children, families and communities.

Ms. Dawson’s extensive experience working at the senior leadership level for ACF led her to become a passionate advocate for children and family issues worldwide. She brings hands-on experience in operations and directions to USCRI’s work, helping the organization run model programs to serve refugee and migrant children and families. Ms. Dawson earned a B.

A. from Bennett College, an M. S.

W. from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a J. D.

from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law and is admitted to the D. C. and Maryland bars.

Ukrainian parolees who are displaced from the war and are seeking permanent resident status in the U.S. through ORR PC II Supplement funding Resettled refugees in obtaining their work permits and green cards through Refugee Support Services (RSS) Immigration Legal Services for Afghan Arrivals (ILSAA) Immigration Legal Services for Afghan Arrivals (ILSAA) Program title: SAFETY FIRST (Safety For Immigrant and Refugee Services in Texas) USCRI operates a 3-year Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) program that provides comprehensive immigration legal services and case management to foreign born survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in the Dallas metro area.

Refugees and immigrants securing lawful permanent status in the US if they have been a victim of a crime in or outside of the U.S. through the Iowa Attorney General’s VOCA program Designated Office of New Americans Opportunity Center in the Capital region of New York provides citizenship instruction and application services to refugees and immigrants.

Ukrainian parolees who are displaced from the war and are seeking permanent resident status in the U.S. through ORR PC II Supplement funding Resettled refugees in obtaining their work permits and green cards through Refugee Support Services (RSS) Our Detroit office’s Surviving Trauma and Reaching Success (STARS) program serves survivors of trafficking in and around the Detroit metro area through the Department of Justice’s Office of Victims of Crime Ukrainian parolees who are displaced from the war and are seeking permanent resident status in the U.S. through ORR PC II Supplement funding Resettled refugees in obtaining their work permits and green cards through Refugee Support Services (RSS) Offices have been serving unaccompanied children in their legal and mental health needs through the OAK Foundation since October 2015 Our San Diego, CA office serves San Ysidro border crossers in need of immigration legal services and representation before the San Diego Immigration Court.

Unaccompanied children in their legal and mental health needs through the OAK Foundation since October 2015. DC-based undocumented children in their pursuit of lawful status since October 2019 through the DC Mayor’s Office’s cultural affairs department Annahi Ruano has over a decade of experience working in human services and the criminal justice system.

In 2013, she became a Behavioral Health Therapist specializing in family therapy and individual therapy for children 5-17 in the foster care system. She began working at ORR shelters in 2017 as a Clinician in Arizona in a 400-bed shelter for Southwest Key Casa Kokopelli and transitioned to Lead Clinician/PSA Compliance Manager in California for Casa San Diego a 90-bed shelter with three locations/ licensees for boys and girls 5-17.

She later became the Program Director/CA Program Administrator with Southwest Key Programs for Casa San Diego. She has a passion is helping children and families in need and her heart is with immigrants, as she comes from immigrant grandparents and parents who came to the United States for a better future for future generations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in forensic psychology.

Dylanna Grasinger is the Senior Director of Field Offices for the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. Ms. Grasinger has over 20 years of experience in helping protect the rights of refugees and immigrants in local communities. Prior to taking on her current role, Ms. Grasinger served as the Director of USCRI Erie.

She has also served in various leadership positions throughout the Midwest, United States as well as Bursa, Turkey. She has extensive experience in program development, budget oversight, compliance, and transformational leadership. She holds a B.

A. in English from Kent State University, where she also received certification in Teaching English as a Second Language. She also earned an M.

S. in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Creighton University. Wony plans, coordinates, directs, and designs all operational activities of the MIS department, as well as provides high availability and security solutions that enhance mission-critical business operations and