Between plentiful summer cook-outs and trips to the beach, July 4th is a special time for Americans to slow down and appreciate the basic freedoms that we sometimes take for granted in this “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.” CWS is dedicated to providing these same freedoms for refugees and immigrants, who often seek refuge in the United …

Our first event of World Refugee Day took place yesterday, one of many over the next 10 days during which we host and share in various events around town to celebrate and remember refugees around the world. We kicked off this week with a Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Workshop in partnership with Durham County Public Library’s Main Branch, the Durham …

Check out this short interview with Mandy, our previous Employment Team Coordinator who recently left CWS-Durham to start a new chapter in her life. Read below for her insider scoop on working hands on with refugee resettlement in Durham. Q: What has been your favorite part of the Employment Team Coordinator position? A: I have really enjoyed watching our employment …

With special thanks to collaborative partners at Watts School of Nursing and Duke University Students of Nursing (DUSON), CWS-RDU held a health fair for new arrivals last Friday. We covered topics like oral hygiene, exercise and fitness, nutrition, BMI and blood pressure, CPR and home emergencies, and how to navigate and understand the American medical insurance system. 25 new arrivals …

Our immigration office has changed locations to a new office on another section of Duke St., a big move that happened in late 2015. Though we miss them at our 112 Duke St office, it is such a joy to witness their success in their new office space at 520 Duke St. Their new office is larger; two conference rooms …

Yesterday morning was cold. The morning was crisp, with frost on car windows and crunchy grass underfoot. Cold days with outdoor agendas are always a gamble; attendance can fluctuate, and when a significant number of prospective attendees are newly arrived refugees coming from hot weather climates, the numbers could really go any which way on a 30 degree January morning. …

Reflections From Europe Amid the Resettlement Crisis Below is a piece written by Erin Edmiston, a CWS Durham Employment Specialist reflecting on her October 2015 trip to Austria on an educational seminar for refugee resettlement staff from around the world.  Erin, at the far right, at HIAS explaining her role as an employment specialist at a domestic resettlement agency.     …

World Refugee Day quilt hangs proudly at One World Market We at CWS are big fans of this movement. All across the country for seven consecutive days (9/12-9/19), American cities mobilize to announce their joy, appreciation, and respect for the array of contributions that refugees and immigrants bring to our communities. National Welcoming Week highlights the successes of New Americans as …

How many of you can remember buying your first car, or the first time you learned how to ride a bike? It’s a very exciting and proud moment! When refugees arrive in the United States, transportation can be a bit tricky. Newly resettled folks rely almost solely on public transportation for daily life. Though public transit is an excellent resource, everyone who …

CWS FEATURED IN QUE PASA NEWSPAPER! CWS Durham is happy to be assisting new populations with Family Reunification!  The new Priority 2 Central American Minor (CAM) Refugee program allows us to help parents from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras who have legal presence in the United States to apply for their minor children who are living in danger and persecution to come …