CWS began resettlement in Virginia in 1962 in response to the needs of refugees fleeing Cuba in the aftermath of the revolution. Those first refugees were welcomed to the Richmond area through the hospitality of the Virginia Council of Churches and local religious communities.
Over the past 50 years, the Commonwealth of Virginia has provided a hospitable and supportive atmosphere for refugees and immigrants as they arrive to their new homes.
Resettlement offices in Harrisonburg, Richmond and Newport News, in partnership with local communities of faith, welcome approximately 350 people each year. In Virginia, CWS is currently resettling refugees from Burma, Iraq, Eritrea, the former Soviet Union, Cuba, Bhutan, Iran, Iraq and Somalia.
Through CWS Virginia the following services are offered to assist newcomers as they begin their lives in Virginia:
- Resettlement services
- Cultural and community orientation
- Nominal fee immigration services
- Naturalization preparation
- Employment and English Language Training for up to 600 people annually
An experienced multi-cultural, multi-lingual staff is ready to work with those who are eligible for these services and assist refugees and immigrants in securing the tools necessary for self-sufficiency.
Contact CWS Virginia:
Viktor Sokolyuk, Virginia Director
vsokolyuk@churchworldservice.org
250 East Elizabeth Street, Suite 109
Harrisonburg, VA 22802-4159
(540) 433-7942 phone
(540) 432-0238 fax
Jim Hershberger, Harrisonburg Office Director
jhershberger@churchworldservice.org
250 East Elizabeth Street, Suite 109
Harrisonburg, VA 22802-4159
(540) 433-7942 phone
(540) 432-0238 fax
Paul Steele, Richmond Office Director
psteele@churchworldservice.org
3314 N. Parham Road
Richmond, VA 23294
(804) 658-5279 or 5311 phone
(804) 658-5371 fax
Lisa Gibson, Hampton Roads Office Director
lgibson@churchworldservice.org
11007 Warwick Blvd, Suite A
Newport News, VA 23601
(757) 265-8605 phone
(757) 265-8607 fax
Read more about the work of CWS Virginia at http://harrisonburgrefugees.com. Richmond and Tidewater pages coming soon!
