Welcoming Washington: Updates From the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance
September 2024 Newsletter
Highlights
Washington Migrant and Asylum Seeker Support Project
By October 2024, ORIA is launching the Washington Migrant and Asylum Seeker Support Project, also known as the WA MASS project. This project is the result of funding that ORIA received from the Washington State Legislature to support the growing number of migrants and asylum seekers arriving in Washington. ORIA is planning to invest $25 million dollars in state funding to support people who have recently arrived in Washington and are ineligible for federal resettlement services.
Through a competitive process that was open in May and June 2024, ORIA received applications from 48 different organizations that requested more than $70 million dollars in funding. In July, ORIA selected 23 of those organizations to serve as the Newcomer Reception and Navigation Hub, and to provide Migrant Housing Services, Immigration-Related Legal Services and culturally responsive case management.
ORIA looks forward to sharing more information about how people may access services and how organizations can connect and participate in the effort to help welcome newcomers.
Read more about the WA MASS project in this Seattle Times article.
Refugee Housing Solutions Housing Directory
The Refugee Housing Solutions Housing Directory is now live in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. The Housing Directory is an online resource designed to help stakeholders and community members find available housing support services. With an interactive map that links to Google Maps, the directory offers features that allow users to easily find public transportation options by zooming in on the map. Users can navigate between service categories, select services based on the languages offered, identify which newcomer populations are eligible for each service and toggle between counties for a tailored search experience.
RHS’s goal is to create a central, user-friendly platform that enhances access to essential housing-support services for newcomers and interested parties. By making these resources more accessible, RHS is supporting the integration and stability of newcomers in the community. In the future, RHS plans to expand the directory across Washington state.
RHS welcomes your suggestions about this pilot project and any feedback for additional services to be included in the directory.
Visit refugeehousing.org/housing-hub to learn more about this project.
Tacoma Refugee Choir
The Tacoma Refugee Choir is a nonprofit with the mission of creating spaces for authentic expression, interconnection and healing through song and music. View its new music video for “Moon Song!” along with “Everyone Can Love Someone,” which is performed at the end of every rehearsal and concert, and “Jambo Bwana,” an energetic, East African song that was shared with the choir by its members from that region.
The choir is currently conducting a search for a new executive director. If you know anyone who may be interested, please share the application webpage with them.
Visit the Tacoma Refugee Choir webpage for more information.
New ORIA Staff
In August 2024, ORIA welcomed several new team members. Read more about the new ORIA staff below.
Alaa Alkaridi, Health and Wellness Program Manager
Alaa comes to ORIA from the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, where he worked as a program manager leading a team of 26 to provide job-search support, aid in building skills and remove barriers to employment for participants.
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Emily Fenton, WA MASS Management Analyst
Before joining ORIA, Emily worked as a Trauma-Informed Approach Coordinator for the International Rescue Committee – supporting staff in improving interactions with clients and other staff.
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Asadullah Mohamadi, WA MASS Project Manager
Asadullah’s previous roles include working as a case manager, where he had the opportunity to interact directly with clients facing a multitude of challenges, including poverty, mental health issues, substance use, homelessness, unemployment and food insecurity.
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Ahmad Omid Sahak, WA MASS Project Administrator
Before joining ORIA, Ahmad Omid worked with the Early Employment Program at the International Rescue Committee in Seattle, leading initiatives to support refugees and immigrants.
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Dip Singh, WA Mass Project Manager
Dip has worked for DSHS for 30 years in numerous positions. He’s been with ORIA since September 2023 as a Program Consultant.
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Newcomers in Washington
Refugee Arrival Data
July 2024: 1,082
Federal Fiscal Year 2024 Arrivals to Date: 9,453
FFY 2023 Arrivals: 14,652
  View this document for more detail regarding the data above.
News and Updates
DSHS Statewide Refugee Advisory Council Vacancies
- The DSHS Statewide Refugee Advisory Council helps ensure the coordination of services for refugees and immigrants and raises awareness of issues that affect refugee and immigrant communities throughout Washington state. The RAC has two membership vacancies open for application in Pierce and Benton-Franklin counties. Please email Hamed Hakimkhel (hakimkhel@dshs.wa.gov) if you or anyone from your organization is interested in applying.
Community Health Worker Services for Ukrainian Refugees: Request for Proposals
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Public Health – Seattle and King County is seeking an eligible organization willing to assist Ukrainian refugees and humanitarian immigrants through health education and navigation provided by Community Health Workers. This grant is funded by the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and administered by the DSHS Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance as part of the Refugee Health Promotion Program. View more information here. Proposals are due by 2 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2024. Contact Sarah Cox (cpres-CDIP@kingcounty.gov) with questions.
Events, Webinars and Trainings
Northwest Ukrainian International Festival
- 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024
- Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 NE Fourth St., Bellevue, WA 98004
Washington Ukrainian Welcoming Task Force
Quarterly Community Consultations
- Spokane County: 9:30-11 a.m. | Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024
- Thurston County: 10-11 a.m. | Monday, Sept. 16, 2024
- Whatcom County: 9:30-11 a.m. | Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024
- Sign up to receive the invitations by completing ORIA’s Stakeholder Contact Form.
Looking for more resources for refugees and immigrants in Washington state?
- Check out ORIA’s resource tool here.
Contact ORIA
Please direct your inquiries to ORIAinfo@dshs.wa.gov.
More information about ORIA programs and services can be found on ORIA’s webpage.
If you would like to receive other communications from ORIA or change your communication preferences, please complete this stakeholder contact form.
The monthly ORIA newsletter is distributed within DSHS to ORIA service providers and other external partners and stakeholders. If you’d like to share your content on this platform, please complete this form. ORIA reserves the right to determine appropriate content to publish.
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