Support for Refugees
Services
Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more. ~ Pope Francis
Caring for our Refugee Brothers and Sisters
Catholic Charities has a rich history of caring for our refugee neighbors who now call Iowa their home. We understand the road they took to arrive here was not a simple one. Our goal is to provide support to refugees and their families by connecting them with community resources that lead them to self-sufficiency.
Community Resource Coordination
To better serve our community, Catholic Charities has created Community Resource Coordination to help clients navigate local systems of support by connecting them to housing, employment, healthcare, public transportation, and other essential services that promote long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Our community resource coordinator will assess each client’s needs and provide referrals to local resources and service providers.
Calling All Employers!
We have employable clients ready and anxious to work for local employers with entry-level openings. Our refugee clients are:
- Fully-vetted and documented by the State Department
- Ready to work and anxious to learn
- Not native English speakers, but equipped with communication tools
- Hard working and dedicated
If you or your place of employment can benefit from a strong workforce, give us a call! 515-244-3761.
History of Support
Catholic Charities Refugee Services was established in 1945 following World War II when the USCCB took action to assist homeless and displaced people. From 1975 – 1996 the program focused primarily on resettling Southeast Asian refugees. During this period of resettlement, former Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray championed the legislative and humanitarian efforts. Starting in 1995, Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services worked collaboratively with Lutheran Social Services (currently known as Lutheran Services in Iowa or LSI) to assist refugees coming to Des Moines. In 2010, Catholic Charities began independently resettling refugees. In the spring of 2025, due to government funding cuts, Catholic Charities could no longer accept new clients for resettlement. We are still able to provide support to refugees by connecting them with other community resources.
A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.
How to Volunteer
Volunteers and donors are a key part of helping us support our refugee clients. Individuals, groups and families can volunteer one time or repeatedly.
Contact Us
