Celebrating the accomplishments of refugee foster youth on World Refugee Day
As we celebrate World Refugee Day on June 20, Catholic Charities’ Refugee Foster Care program is also celebrating the accomplishments of 20 foster youth in the program who are graduating from high school and college.
“Our staff and community of parents – who we refer to as ‘resource parents’ rather than ‘foster parents’ – proudly serve these courageous youth,” said Candace Chen, director of Refugee Foster Care. “We celebrate their successes and the beautiful lives they have built as members of our community.”
“Over the years, our youth have gone on to successful jobs and professional careers, including as first responders, truck drivers, working in early education, and caring for the elderly,” Chen explained. “Others have pursued graduate level degrees, joined the military, started their own families, and have done advocacy work of their own at the local, state and federal level.”
With over 13 million refugee minors around the world, many of these children have been separated from parents or adult guardians. Refugee Foster Care resettles unaccompanied refugee minors into long-term resource homes throughout the Bay Area and provides supportive services to both the youth and resource families. Working throughout eight counties, it is the only program in the Bay Area. The program serves a tremendous need for these youth, many of whom have survived war, abuse, exploitation and trafficking.
Catholic Charities and the Diocese of San Jose recognize the needs that exist at our border and around the world, and remain committed to our services for refugees.
Please join us in honoring World Refugee Day this year, and reach out to us to find out more information and get involved! Call 1-866-842-1467, email rfc@catholiccharitiesscc.org, or visit
