The Catholic Family Center has received state and federal grants totaling nearly $2.4 million that will go to programs designed to help local immigrants and refugees gain citizenship and employment skills.
Vice President of Catholic Family Center's Family Services program, Jim Morris, says CFC's relationship with refugees goes back to its founding over a hundred years ago.
"It's vitally important for refugees and immigrants that they feel support that they have the resources they need in this current environment. So we're in good position to serve the refugees and immigrants that are here with us despite the fact that admissions of refugees are decreasing," he said.
A U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant will fund a citizenship education and training project, while a US Department of Health and Human Services grant will go toward a Career Pathways program for refugees.
Those grants total $500,000.
Another $1.8 million state grant will fund a five-year program providing employment services and training to immigrants and refugees in this community.
Morris says the current political climate has created a lot of fear and anxiety in that group.
"So a lot of these grants are going to help provide education to the community, assistance to the community so that they can move ahead," he said.
The CFC is partnering with the Rochester City School District, RochesterWorks and local adult education centers on these programs.