Kentucky Refugee Ministries
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Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. (KRM), a non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing resettlement services to refugees through faith- and agency-based co-sponsorship in order to promote self-sufficiency and successful integration into our community. KRM is committed to offering access to community resources and opportunities and to promoting awareness of diversity for the benefit of the whole community. KRM is a local affiliate of Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement service of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of The Episcopal Church.
Volunteer opportunities
Kentucky Refugee Ministries works in partnership with the community partners, congregations, and volunteers to carry out its work welcoming refugees to Lexington. From providing space for English or job skills classes, to mentoring refugee children, practicing English skills with parents, assisting single mothers with childcare, or accompanying a family on their first trip to an American grocery store, opportunities abound for you and your congregation to make a positive impact on the life of a family and on your wider community. Contact Dabney Parker, co-sponsorship developer and volunteer coordinator, at dparker@krmlex.org for more information.
Ministries
RESETTLEMENT SERVICES
With support from Episcopal Migration Ministries, KRM provides services for newly arriving refugees to help them put down roots in their first months in the United States. This includes securing and fully furnishing an apartment for an arriving family; picking up an arriving family at the airport; and ensuring a culturally appropriate meal awaits the family at their new home, right when they arrive. Food is provided for the family until they can provide their own food; seasonal clothing and footwear is provided for each member of the family (including diapers for infants & toddlers) upon arrival. The family is assisted in applying for assistance and services for which they are eligible; each member of the family receives a health assessment. Children are enrolled in school and adults are enrolled in English and cultural orientation classes. Work-ready adults receive employment services and assistance in applying for and securing a job.
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
With support from Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Matching Grant program of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (Department of Health and Human Services), Kentucky Refugee Ministries offers extended employment services to clients, ensuring they will successfully secure employment to support their families and become financially self-sufficient.
LONG-TERM SUPPORT SERVICES
Employment programs, training, financial literacy, and job placement services
YOUTH AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES
Intensive support to refugee youth and local school districts, as well as the Refugee Children's Choir and specialized summer programming
MMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP SERVICES
KRM’s immigration department has three immigration attorneys (two in Louisville, one in Lexington) and a BIA representative. The immigration department works with Cubans applying for their EADs (Employment Authorization Document), refugees and Cubans applying for their Green Cards and Citizenship applications, and refugees trying to bring family members to the U.S. The immigration department is unique in that it is KRM’s only fee-for-service program and they serve the general population. They work with refugees from KRM, refugees from other agencies, as well the general population with marriage-based visas and more.
1206 North Limestone
Lexington, KY 40505
United States
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