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OUR MISSION & PHILOSOPHY

The mission of Catholic Charities Refugee Services is to help our clients become self-sufficient as soon as possible. It is our obligation to welcome all newcomers to our land regardless of gender, race, creed, or national origin and to lift them out of oppression and empower them with the tools necessary to succeed in their new land. Today, we at Catholic Charities Refugee Services are more committed than ever before to our mission of "welcoming the stranger" into our community.

We seek to serve with compassion and provide a supportive environment in which the dignity of each person is respected and the culture of each celebrated. We believe that that the empowerment process mandates that we address the needs of the body, mind, and spirit of each of our clients. We always recognize that our clients are resilient and capable individuals with extensive personal life experiences and that we are simply providing the tools by which these individuals will achieve independence in their new lives in America.

THE STAFF

Refugee Services

• Seyoum Berhe - Program Director
  
• Caitlin Kelleghan - Program Assistant
  
• Rebecca Ruiz - Development Manager

Resettlement & Placement/Match Grant Programs

• Derek Maxfield - Associate Director
• Peter Keresztes - Case Manager
• Neota Hall - Case Manager, Ignatian Lay Corps Volunteer
• Marie-Therese Ndikumana - Case Manager
• Belyaneh Loppisso - Case Manager
• Milena Mejia - Volunteer and Resources Specialist

Breaking the Barriers Employment Program

• Mahdi Obied - Employment Specialist
• Kidane Lema - Employment Specialist
• Khaled Paymozd - Employment Specialist
• Kira Hamrin - Employment Specialist
• Agerie Tefera - Employment Specialist, Route 1, Alexandria
• Mary Ann Ondrey - Employment Specialist, Chantilly
• Muna Yusuf - Employment Specialist, Falls Church

Virginia Refugee Student Achievement Project

• Jessica Estrada- School Liaison Project Manager
• Lina Pachon - Student Liaison, Fairfax
• Cristina Gonzalez - Student Liaison, Fredericksburg
  

Fredericksburg Office

• Thompson Steven - Case Manager
  
• Connie Ashton - Case Manager
• Dilprasad Basnet - Case Manager