Refugee Resettlement Program Rises to Meet Challenges
With new refugee arrivals in the United States capped at just 18,000 for the coming year, many of Catholic Social Services’ friends and supporters have had questions about what the future holds for this program in Dayton. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
Is CSSMV’s refugee resettlement program closing?
No. While some of the smaller resettlement programs across the country have been forced to close, CSSMV’s experience in resettling refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has positioned the agency to continue this work for the foreseeable future.
- Program Manager Michael Murphy continues to serve not only as an advocate for refugees locally, but also as a subject matter expert on the resettlement process. Over the past year, he has consulted with the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Charities USA on the subject of best practices, and he has served as a representative of those agencies at conferences held in Princeton NJ and New Haven CT.
Is CSSMV resettling fewer refugees than in the past?
Resettlement figures are based on the Federal fiscal year, which begins on October 1. For the year that just ended, CSSMV had initially expected to have only 109 new arrivals in Dayton. As the year went on, however, the number crept up to nearly 300 with most originating from the DRC. This is a significant increase over the previous year, which saw 184 new arrivals.
- UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, describes the Democratic Republic of the Congo as “one of the most complex and challenging humanitarian situations worldwide,” and notes that human rights violations there are widespread, including “physical mutilation, killings, sexual violence, arbitrary arrest and detention in inhumane conditions.”
Has support for this program decreased?
No. CSSMV is blessed to have a wide range of donors, volunteers, and community partners who continue to respect and support this important, life-saving work. Shine Dayton, the agency’s young professionals’ group, recently hosted their third annual Shine Dayton Celebration with proceeds supporting refugee resettlement. More than 200 guests attended, and event sponsorship levels hit a new record high.

Refugee resettlement saves lives and reunites families.
For those looking for ways to support CSSMV’s refugee resettlement program, please visit the agency’s website at cssmv.org and click on “You Can Help” to find information about volunteering, making a donation of needed items, or providing monetary support. If you are a landlord or a local employer interested in working with refugees, please call (937) 223-7217 and ask to speak with a refugee employment specialist or the refugee housing case manager.
Good News: Winter 2019-2020
A Note from the CEO
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacLong-Term Recovery is Just Beginning
December 16, 2019/by Andrea Skrlac#InspiredBy
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacNavigating Family Life
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacSaying Thanks on Giving Tuesday
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacMobility Management Services Growing in Northern Region
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacRefugee Resettlement Program Rises to Meet Challenges
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacCSSMV Special Events Hosted 1,140 Guests in 2019
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacTwo Successful Events in a BIG Tent
December 16, 2019/by Andrea Skrlac
Eckerle Administration Center
922 West Riverview Avenue
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 223-7217 or (800) 300-2937
General email: cssmv@cssmv.org
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- Generations CampaignApril 27, 2022 - 7:15 pm
At Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley’s Annual Meeting on April 27, CEO Laura Roesch announced the public phase of a five-year comprehensive campaign inspired by the desire to broaden and enhance the agency’s impact as it enters its second century of service. The Generations Campaign will run through 2025, with a total fundraising goal of $10,000,000.