Ways to Help Refugees Resettle in the Cleveland Area

Sister Rita Mary Harwood spoke at St. Basil on April 29, 2024 about the work the Cleveland Diocese is doing to help refugees resettle in the Cleveland area and how people can contribute. People who attended the talk received a handout listing ways they could assist the work the Diocese is doing. This article contains the information in the handout for people who were unable to attend the talk.

Places that Help Refugees

Refugee Resource Center

Location: St Colman Parish

Website: https://www.stcolmanchurch.org​

Phone: 216-534-6445

Contact Person: Sister Mary Harwood

The Refugee Resource Center accepts donations of many household items as well as monetary donations. A complete list comes later in this article.

Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services

Website: https://www.ccdocle.org/service-areas/migration-refugee-services​

Phone: 216-939-3759

Contact: Ann

Catholic Charities provides ways for people to volunteer their time to help refugees. You can mentor a refugee family, provide rides, and provide tutoring.

I’m In Ministry

Website:https://www.iminministry.com​

Phone: 440-502-1060

Contact: Deacon Lou Primozic

I’m In Ministry accepts furniture donations and some household items as well as monetary donations. The website has a complete list of items they accept.

Joseph House

Website: https://josephhouseofcleveland.org/​

Phone: 216-431-7200

Contact: Maureen Powers

Joseph House is a clothing bank ministry that serves refugees in the Cleveland area. They accept donations of clothing. The following link shows what they currently need:

​https://josephhouseofcleveland.org/donate-clothing-and-supplies​

Immigration Assistance Fund

Phone: 216-696-6525 x 5750

Contact: Patrick Grace

The Immigration Assistance Fund accepts monetary donations.

Supplies the Refugee Resource Center Needs

The list of supplies is divided into two groups: consumable and durable items. Durable items are items that last longer than a year. Consumable items are items people buy more regularly.

Consumable Items

Cleaning products: laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues.

Personal products: shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, body wash, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, shaving cream, razors, diapers.

Durable Items

The Refugee Resource Center collects the following new and like-new items:

Cleaning supplies: brooms, vacuum cleaners, mops, and pails.

Cooking items: pots, frying pans, roasting pans, teapots.

Kitchen appliances: toasters, toaster ovens, microwaves, mixes, kettles, coffee makers, rice cookers, juicers.

Other items: irons, ironing boards, sewing machines, rugs, television sets.

Ways for Parishes to Help

• Sponsor a refugee family.
• Have a diaper collection for the Refugee Resource Center.
• Set up a scholarship fund for the children.
• Invite a refugee community to the parish center for them to get together.
• Work with Catholic Charities’ Migration and Refugee Services in helping refugees find housing and employment.