Annual Report 2008 - Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New ...

After escaping torture and death threats,Catholic school teacher Patrice fled Cameroonand sought asylum in New York. CatholicCharities immigration services integratedhim into his new home, offering help tosecure food, clothing, shelter and, mostimportant, a job with a future.“Catholic Charities helpedme stay alive.”—PatriceDesigned for the unique needs of new arrivals, Catholic Charities providesspecialized services that help immigrants reunite legally with their families,obtain work authorization, learn English and civics, prepare for citizenshipexams and avoid exploitation by unscrupulous practitioners and businessowners. Community residents receive in-person consultations from CatholicCharities’ highly qualified immigration lawyers and practitioners. At St. Rita’sCenter for Immigrant and Refugee Services, part of the Tolentine-ZeiserCommunity Life Center, Inc. in the Bronx, more than 2,500 adults and childrentake English-as-a-Second-Language classes and participate in ongoingeducational and supportive services. This critical help empowers them toreach their full human potential and be agents of change in their familiesand communities.www.catholiccharitiesny.org 31