Since its founding in the aftermath of World War II, Church World Service has supported refugee families, helping newcomers rebuild their lives and thrive in communities across the United States. Rooted in partnership with local congregations and community organizations, our work ensures that every arriving family is welcomed with dignity and equipped with the tools they need to succeed.
In 2022, CWS expanded its reach by launching Virtual Integration Services—an innovative program designed to serve eligible community members and families living outside the areas supported by traditional Refugee Resettlement Agencies and Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) providers.
Our Virtual Integration Services team provides virtual case management during the critical first five years of resettlement, offering support with benefit enrollment (such as Medicaid and SNAP), school registration, medical navigation and other resources connections. We also help participants develop personalized self-sufficiency plans, practice English, prepare for job interviews and connect with local resources—all through virtual platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp and phone calls.
Whether someone has recently arrived or is navigating life after initial resettlement, our team supports newcomers in building stable, empowered futures—no matter where they live.
Latest Updates
Finding Hope in Challenging Times: Reflections from the Virtual Integration Services Team
Season’s greetings from CWS’s Virtual Integration Services (VIS) Team! We hope that this season of hope finds you well and that you are able to spend meaningful time with family and friends. Here at VIS, we have been reflecting on all of the challenges and successes in the last year and are grateful for your companionship this season. VIS supporting Emergency Response On January 24th, The US State Department halted resettlement programs and sent a …
Empowering Asylees in New York: Monthly Benefit Orientations Launch Statewide
CWS has launched monthly Asylee Benefit Orientations in partnership with New York stakeholders to provide newly granted asylees with timely, comprehensive support—including education, referral and access to critical services. New Asylee Benefit Orientations for New Yorkers Across the United States, fewer than 20% of newly granted asylees access Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) benefits and services within their first …
Bridging the Gap: How CWS Virtual Integration Services Is Reaching Refugees in Remote Communities
CWS’s Virtual Integration Services program delivers remote, personalized support to refugees and ORR-eligible community members living in underserved areas—ensuring access to case management, economic empowerment resources and client-centered care no matter where they are. By removing geographic barriers, the program helps newcomers build stable, self-sufficient lives rooted in dignity and belonging. Since its founding in the aftermath of World War …
Virtual Case Management Programs
Economic Empowerment & Financial Literacy Classes (Launched FY25): Designed to meet individuals where they are at, this group programming enables new comers to learn more about the US financial system, access community resources and cultural practices in the US job market to empower them to thrive!
Preferred Communities (PC) Case Management: CWS provides tailored case management to ORR-eligible community members living in remote and underserved areas, or for folks who prefer a virtual option. Through Intake, Assessment and Referral (IAR) and Supplemental Case Management (SCM), we help newcomers navigate complex systems, overcome barriers to integration and build pathways towards self-sufficiency.
Asylee Outreach Project: CWS connects asylees and other ORR-eligible community members with critical services. Through virtual orientations, and referrals, the program helps newcomers rebuild their lives with dignity and care.
Ms. L Settlement Housing Program: The purpose of the program is to support Ms. L Settlement Class members with the provision of housing assistance as specified by the settlement agreement for Ms. L., et al. vs. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement et al. with housing support As needed, the eligible families are provided with rental assistance, assistance locating housing and arrangements of deposits. Class members may include children, legal guardians or parents who came to the U.S.-Mexico border, were detained by the U.S. government with your parent, legal guardian or child and then were separated by the U.S. government and held in a different facilities. See more: Ms. L vs. ICE | together.gov
Matching Grant: Matching Grant is an 8-month employment program that works with newly eligible ORR community members and their families to achieve economic self-sufficiency quickly. In the Matching Grant program, program participants, virtual direct service staff and the community all work together to overcome barriers to employment and navigating day-to-day life in the United States. In order to achieve economic self-sufficiency quickly, the Matching Grant program provides:
- Employment Services (job readiness, job placement and post-employment support)
- Case Management
- Rental and utility assistance
- Assistance applying for Medicaid and other public benefits
- Referrals to community services and resources
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Contact
For general inquiries or to learn more about Virtual Integration Services,
please reach out by phone at 332-236-7206 or email us at
virtualservices@cwsglobal.org.
For program-specific questions or partnership opportunities,
please contact Nandini Sridhar, CWS’s Associate Director of Remote Services,
at nsridhar@cwsglobal.org.