What Does SIVRRC Offer?

SIVRRC Initiatives & Comprehensive Core Services

Founded in 2021, the SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISA AND REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT CENTER (SIVRRC) is a private community-based, non-profit organization that serves SIV recipients and refugees mainly from Afghanistan, but also and other parts of the world, who want to settle in Sacramento, California. The center started operating in Sacramento with the efforts of its founders who themselves are SIV recipients. Their activities are based on a self-attested experience that they went through when coming to America as well. Their goal is to make the resettlement and integration of fellow comrades seamless and efficient. SIVRRC strives to create an environment for immigrants/refugees to have easy access to available resources transforming ordinary lives of immigrants into extraordinary ones. Thereby preserving and enhancing the dignity and wellbeing of Sacramento’s immigrant population by providing an assortment of vital services that enrich social relationships, foster physical health, encourage educational interests, and promote self-reliance and self-sufficiency. SIVRRC will focus on the most vulnerable immigrants and their families to achieve their dreams in their new country.

Description of key initiatives and comprehensive core services 

SIVRRC’s programs and services are focusing on the following areas: 

1. Meet and greet at initial arriving point

The SIVRRC designated staffer will arrange and provide transportation service from arrival point to final destination. Service may include private and public carriers by means of land or air transportation.

2. Housing

Prior to the immigrants’ arrival the SIVRRC housing coordinator will arrange and ensure that a lease agreement is in place for an appropriate housing unit.

3. Initial cash assistance

Immigrants will be provided upfront cash assistance based on the number of accompanying person/s. Additionally, they will be provided with cash for immediate basic needs and essential household items and food.

4. Health Services

SIVRRC health coordinator will arrange for health screenings (a collaboration with Neighborhood Health Agencies), dental screenings (a collaboration with Community Dental), hearing and vision screenings (a collaboration with Neighborhood Health Agencies), vaccination for children and adults (a collaboration with Neighborhood Health Agencies), and emergency health care (a collaboration with Neighborhood Health Agencies.)

5. Assistance Programs Registration

Types of assistance include: working through Medical/Medicare/Medicaid and Part D enrollment forms, assisting in finding services to meet basic and emergency needs, assisting with the completion of forms and applications for government or private services, and identifying community resources.

6. School Enrolments for Children

SIVRRC school registration coordinator will help immigrants’ children to enroll in school and ensures that children meet school health requirements. Additionally stationary and school supplies will be provided.

7. Adult Education

Educational programs include a comprehensive orientation on their new way of life and culture lectures, computer class/lab, English as a second language classes (a collaboration with Neighborhood Education Agencies), book club, driver’s safety preparation program, and literacy.

8. Job Assistance, Job Training and Placement

SIVRRC job assistance coordinator will assess the needs of ready to work immigrants and ensures that they are equipped with job tools, skills and industry requirements before they are introduced to potential job market. SIVRRC will provide workshops, job training and placement through collaboration with local entities. 

9. Outreach

Through case management SIVRRC outreach coordinator will periodically get in touch with participants and document their progress and needs. This is important component for well-being that benefits those who are at-risk. Additional assistance and needs will be recommended/provided. One-on-one counseling and group workshops educate or assist immigrants to prepare them for the challenges they face.

10. Community Interaction

Furthermore, the outreach will offset the effects of isolation for people who are struggling, promote community interaction, provide opportunities for establishing friendships, and is often an entry point into other opportunities. This unique program offers socialization and meaningful activity for individuals which will include intellectual and physical activities, group activities, and intergenerational visits. Services are intended to spark life-experiencing that can result in integration in the community.

11. Self Sufficiency

SIVRRC goal is to expedite immigrants’ self-sufficiency as soon as possible and meet their own needs without further assistance from others and have confidence to carry on successfully their resources. SIVRRC counselors will assist them to set their goals realistically and introduce them to ways to achieve those goals through existing means available to them. They need someone to talk to and depend upon and that is when SIVRRC assistance will lead and guide them to meet their goals.

12. Economic Independence

SIVRRC counselors will provide resources that will lead immigrants to the pathways to economic independence. With limited resources available to immigrants, they need assistance in managing their income that will build the foundation for economic independence. SIVRRC will accomplish this by offering workshops on how to leverage their limited resources, take opportunities that exist and will ensure access to them. Introduce them to entities that will provide incentive for small entrepreneurs and help them establish businesses. Train them for a job market that is in demand and sustainable future growth. The goal will be to have an immigrant community as a contributing group to the economy rather than being a charge and burden. 

13. Wellness and Independence

SIVRRC wellness and Independence coordinator will focus on older immigrants’ needs and ensure that they have entertainment programs. They will arrange for community group activities such as sewing and crafts, special celebrations, and volunteer opportunities. Wellness programs include sports activities, gym membership, exercise equipment and emergency assistance. 

14. Member Services 

SIVRRC member services programs will offer services to help the immigrants navigate changes in legislation, financial and legal institutions, and social and health and safety-related matters. One-on-one counseling and group workshops educate or assist immigrants to prepare them for these changes. Types of assistance include: working through Medicare/Medicaid and Part D enrollment forms, assisting in finding services to meet basic and emergency needs, assisting with the completion of forms and applications for government or private services, and identifying community resources. On-site services will be provided monthly or as needed; off-site services will be provided per request with assistance from volunteers. Many of the on-site services are provided via telephone and on-site appointments. Off-site services are provided via the Neighbors in Action program. 

15. Assisted Senior Program 

SIVRRC senior program includes supervised social interaction, life quality therapies, mind-stimulating activity that can result in maintenance, or increased functionality and reduce the rate of institutionalization. Services provided will ensure that senior immigrants will have access to all resources available through community organizations. Through coordination with community senior centers, SIVRRC senior service coordinator will arrange activities suited for participating immigrants.

16. Youth Program

Immigrant youths will experience challenges in all aspects of their lives and they are considered the most vulnerable segment of society. Their problems need to be addressed earlier and prevention and intervening measures must be introduced to provide guidance and assistance when needed. SIVRRC is well aware of youth challenges and will intervene in many different ways. SIVRRC’s youth coordinator will offer and involve youths in healthy activities so that they thrive and channel their energy towards a better future and become productive members of the society. SIVRRC will create an environment of trust so they can share their problems and seek solutions. SIVRRC will offer activities designed for youth such as sport clubs, mentorship, tutoring, internships, job training, workshops, counselling, music, art and entertainments, outdoor activities, field trips, academic and sport completions, college campus tours, joint parents and children activities. To further their education, SIVRRC will seek grants and scholarships for them. These activities will ensure that youths are not left out on their own and become the target of violence.

17. Neighbors in Action

SIVRRC’s Neighbors in Action is a community development program intended to meet the needs of immigrants’ post settlement. Many immigrants are unable to fulfill their dreams and face barriers. They may have a need for assistance with how to manage their lives. Such immigrants are especially vulnerable because of their isolation, and their reclusive tendencies. As a result, they often are at-risk of suffering from abuse or self-neglect and their living standards and conditions decline. SIVRRC coordinators will work in collaboration with and utilize community volunteers to assist them. Volunteers are engaged through local service clubs, other nonprofits, religious organizations, youth groups, and businesses.