Refugee Assistance & Immigration Services (RAIS)

Refugee Assistance & Immigration Services (RAIS) provides a bridge for refugees (individuals who have had to flee their countries of origin due to the tragedies of persecution and war) from their former life experiences to the new skills required for success in the United States.  The program assists clients in obtaining a lifestyle that has sustainable financial support and in which the family's basic needs are fully met on a long-term basis.  RAIS offers a wide range of bilingual and bicultural services including case management, life skills orientation and job readiness classes.

Your Gift Helps!

  • $25 will purchase a new pair of shoes for a child getting ready for his or her first day at school. 
  • $50 will purchase a uniform for an individual preparing for his or her first day of work. 
  • $100 contribution will purchase groceries to stock a family's kitchen for their first week in the U.S.

Did You Know?

  • The Alaska Women's Giving Circle Fund at the Alaska Community Foundation recently made a grant to support a revolving loan fund for the Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services program (RAIS). Read more about the project by clicking here.  
  •  1,064 refugee and asylee clients throughout Alaska were served in fiscal year 2009.
  • Of the 512 new enrollees, 114 arrived in Alaska directly from their county of origin, and another 398 came to Alaska via another state within their first 5 years in the US. 
  • Of those who came directly to Alaska, RAIS assisted 91% of adult clients in obtaining employment within 6 months of arrival in the US.

Find Out More  

Useful Links