By Alain Martinez de la Torre, Economic Empowerment Program Manager, Church World Services
A feature piece from our Summer 2024 issue of the Lancaster Thriving Publication.
Each year, hundreds of new refugee neighbors join our communities across Lancaster County, bringing with them a diverse set of skills, experiences, and dreams for the future. Eager to start new lives in peace and provide for their families, refugees and other immigrants are ready to begin working immediately and earn opportunities to advance in the workplace.
In just the last three years, CWS Lancaster’s Economic Empowerment programs have placed more than 380 refugees in jobs around the county and partnered with countless employers to support their workforce. These programs support new neighbors on their journey to financial self-sufficiency and fulfilling employment, from initial job readiness support like ESL, resume building, and connections to initial employment to ongoing case management support for career upskilling and advancement for up to five years after arrival. CWS Lancaster Employment Specialists support clients throughout their job search process, assist them in securing job placements and provide ongoing support to families and employers to ensure job retention and career advancement.
Refugees and other immigrants are already an integral part of the Pennsylvania workforce and their contributions to our county are significant. The 2016 New Americans in Lancaster County report, which “shows that the county’s…immigrant residents have an outsize impact on the local economy through their high rates of workforce participation, large tax contributions, and spending power.” And during the worst of Covid 19, refugees and other immigrants were significantly more likely to be “essential workers” in health care, food production, agriculture, warehouses, and transportation.
Research indicates that refugee employees are committed, eager to work, and have high workforce retention rates. Their diverse skills sets, and new perspectives lead to innovation and can foster a new sense of purpose within organizations. Together, refugee employees and employers are building diverse workplaces that are prepared to meet future needs.
Here at CWS Lancaster, when we celebrate with our former clients their newly opened business, first home, citizenship ceremony or admission to college, we see first-hand that diversity has made Lancaster more resilient, more vital, and more inviting than other similarly situated communities in Pennsylvania and the nation.
Side Bar
[CWS Logo]
Mission and Vision
Church World Service (CWS) Lancaster opened in 1987 with a mission of showing welcome to refugees and other displaced people. Over the past 35 years, we have grown to become the largest resettlement office in the region and have welcomed over 7,000 refugees to peace & safety.
CWS Lancaster resettles refugees through a contract with the federal government and in partnership with the local community. Our holistic programs empower clients toward long-term success and cultural integration through up to 5 years of service. Programs include initial Reception and Placement; job orientation and upskilling opportunities; and innovative services that promote family wellness and long-term stability. Our Immigration Legal programs provide low-cost legal advice and representation to the broader immigrant community.
Together we are building stronger and more diverse communities where everyone has a voice and a safe place to call home.
By The Numbers
From October 1, 2021 – May 17, 2024, CWS Lancaster has welcomed 870 new refugee neighbors from more than 25 countries.
Top 10 countries of origin (CWS Lancaster resettled refugees)
Democratic Republic of the Congo: 34%
Syria: 15.7 %
Afghanistan: 9.2%
Sudan: 4.7%
El Salvador: 4.4%
Guatemala: 4.1%
Somalia: 3.3%
Colombia: 3.1%
Burma: 2.8%
Venezuela: 2.3%
Other: 16.4%
Primary Employment Industries
Warehouses
Manufacturing
Hospitality
Construction
Food Service
not secure