CAMBA’s Refugee Assistance Program started in 1982 and has provided refugees and political asylees in New York City who face cultural and language barriers to employment with opportunities to obtain jobs and training and improve their English language skills. Services include employment placement, English classes, our Fast Track job readiness preparation, transitional and work supports, legal services and case management to remove barriers to employment. Orientation to the American workplace and professional training classes in customer service, security officer and bank teller training are provided. The program promotes self-sufficiency and currently serves over 1,300 individuals a year.
Additionally, we also offer transitional support services to remove additional barriers to employment. These services are provided in our following programs:
Established in 2000, this early employment program for highly motivated refugees and political asylees provides participants with a cash grant as an incentive for going to work and avoiding public assistance. Serving approximately 300 refugees and political asylees from over 50 countries, participants receive case management, job placement, retention services and English language training. In our most recent year, 77% of participants were employed and self-sufficient within six months of their arrival in the United States, earning an average wage of $12.14 per hour.
Established in 2003, this program assists immigrants and refugees with professional skill sets, and/or foreign licenses/certifications to become eligible for employment in the U.S. commensurate to their former experience. We provide these professionals with the tools and skills they need to successfully navigate difficult licensure, education, and employment systems in the U.S. and gain and retain higher wage employment. Each client receives an individual service plan to help them achieve U.S. licensure and employment in their field. We also offer access to services including evaluation of existing credentials, vocational English training, supplementary vocational training, test prep and enrollment, and assistance with U.S. licensure applications. We have successfully trained more than 300 such immigrant professionals who possess existing foreign qualifications, education, skill sets and professions requiring full leveraging to compete for higher wage jobs locally.
As an affiliate of the United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) and starting in 1992, CAMBA provides acculturation education for refugees who come to New York to reunite with their families through the U.S. Government's Refugee Program. CAMBA provides counseling, advocacy, and referrals to relevant health, social, legal, education and employment-related services to approximately 100 refugees a year.