Since 1980, 8,839 newcomers have been resettled in the Erie area with assistance from USCRI. Refugees resettled in Erie come primarily from Bhutan, Eritrea, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Iraq, Ukraine and Russia. Newly arrived refugees receive a comprehensive set of services including housing placement, cultural orientation, school enrollment, coordination of initial health appointments, and employment preparation and placement.
The USCRI would love to receive new or gently used donations to ensure that each refugee is provided with basic items that are essential to daily life. Some essential items needed are first aid kits, thermometers, masks, diapers, and baby products. I have attached a full list of needed items to this form. Every item donated will count for a volunteer hour and students can receive up to a maximum of 4 volunteer hours.