Catholic Social Services Receives Grant From BB&T

The Refugee Employment Services Office of Catholic Social Services has received a grant from the BB&T Charitable Foundation in the amount of $26,232. The grant will be used to hire additional staff to reach out to local employers who are willing to hire refugees.

The Refugee Employment Services Office assists people who arrive in America needing suitable,000 refugees in the Diocese of Charlotte. employment. Employment assistance is part of the comprehensive resettlement services offered by Catholic Social Services. Since 1979 Catholic Social Services has resettled more than 9

Refugees enter the United States legally to escape religious or political oppression in their country of origin. Refugees receive resettlement services from Catholic Social Services without regard to their religious affiliation.

Since 1998 BB&T, a Winston-Salem-based bank, has hired refugees at its regional operations center in Charlotte. According to Mike Rearden, a senior vice-president with the company, "This is a win, win, win situation for us, for the refugees and for the refugee office. We have hired more than 40 refugees, each of whom has a high commitment to performance and excellence."

Cira Ponce, director of the refugee resettlement office of Catholic Social Services said, "We are so thankful to the BB&T Foundation. They are a wonderful community partner, and this grant money will greatly enhance our ability to serve refugees eager to support themselves and their families in their new home."

The Diocese of Charlotte is made up of 300,000 Catholics in the 46 counties of Western North Carolina.