program overview

Helping refugees integrate and adjust to life in the American community, The Ethnic Community Self-Help (ECSH) Program supports ethnic community-based organizations in helping refugees adjust to life in America. These organizations are particularly skilled in identifying and responding to the diverse needs of refugees and decide what activities to plan that will best benefit the
communities they serve.

At Global Alliance Solutions Foundation (GASF), we provide services through a Case Manager working directly with individuals and families to provide access to needed services, meet basic needs such as food and clothing, provide navigation with the Department of Human Services and accessing available benefits, help enroll children in school or child care services, assist youth in college preparation, link participants with health and mental health services, assist with employment skills and job search, translate information and conversation, and support the participants as requested.

Our Case Managers assess the needs of each family utilizing the Life Area Skills Assessment Tool and ask clients what they need, what is their dream for the future. GASF ensures we are individualizing services and meeting short- and long-term goals
in support of their transition into America to become self-sufficient and financially stable. Other services include workshops and classes including English as a Second Language classes, Citizenship, Acculturalization, Learning U.S. customs and laws, Parenting, Financial Literacy, Health & Nutrition, Hygiene, social activities, field trips, and more.

ELIGIBILITY : Participants in this program must have been in the US for less than 5 years, NOT a citizen, and have status as Refugee, Asylee, Paroled Refugee/Asylee, or other prescribed group noted under the Office of Refugee Resettlement regulations.
The ECSH Program serves refugees and other ORR-eligible populations who have arrived in the United States within the last five years.

FUNDING: This program is funded through the Administration for Children & Families (ACF), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)