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"As long as there have been wars, persecution, discrimination, and intolerance, there have been refugees." -Unknown

Ecumenical Refugee and Immigration Services (ERIS) helps to resettle refugees and asylees who are legally in Colorado (by Church World Service and Episcopal Migration Ministries), by providing them assistance with educational needs, family and social services, medical attention, employment, and cultural orientation. The main goal of ERS is to help refugees become self-sufficient and independent as quickly as possible. ERS has been working with refugees in this manner since 1979, resettling about 600 new refugees annually.

Refugees are people who must flee their homeland fearing death or persecution because of their race, religion, or political views. These people must leave everything behind, including family members, material possessions, and cultural identity for the chance to rebuild a life with personal safety, individual freedom, and peace. Each refugee is carefully screened by the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and the INS (U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service) to verify proof of actual persecution and confirm that there has been no involvement in criminal activities according to U.S. laws.

 

 

What's Inside

Beds & Bedding Needed - ERIS is in dire need of mattresses, box springs, and bedding donations. Contact Joyce Hansen, ext 1130.

ERS is in need of volunteers. See the Volunteer page for volunteer opportunities. Additionally, see the Events page regarding our request for school supply donations and volunteer support to help with a local food bank, distributing to Refugee families.

Read about ERS in the news. Church World Service's Immigration and Refugee Program is embarking on new initiatives to serve displaced and uprooted people worldwide.

 

An asylee is a non-U.S. Citizen in the U.S. whose application for asylum has been adjudicated by the Department of Justice and about whom a determination has been made that he or she is "unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of origin because of past persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution, based on the person's race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

An asylum seeker is a person who has fled personal danger in his or her home country, has entered the U.S. directly in search of safety and protection and in order to stay must apply for asylum.

Ecumenical Refugee and Immigration Services (ERIS) is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to Ecumenical Refugee and Immigration Services are tax deductible. The ERIS financial records are audited by independent auditors in accordance with the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The auditor’s report and/or the ERS 990 is available upon request.