The Alaska Office for Refugees (AOR) administers the state refugee resettlement program for Alaska. Funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), AOR works with sub awardees around the state to help refugees and other ORR eligible populations access cash and medical assistance, comprehensive health services, employment, English language training, and multiple types of adjustment services to achieve self-sufficiency and integration.
In federal FY 25, Alaska enrolled 140 new arrivals from 17 different countries.
AOR-Funded Services
In order to access AOR services, you must first do an eligibility verification and intake with Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services (RAIS). To enroll in refugee services or to see if you are eligible, please contact Heba El-Hendi, at hel-hendi@cssalaska.org or 907-222-7110.
Anchorage Services
Alaska Literacy Program
- English-as-a-Second-Language: Intake process, enrollment, and client data in a multi-level open class setting.
- Psychoeducation Curriculum Development: equip newcomers with the essential knowledge and skills to support their mental health and overall well-being.
Contact: Amy Facklam (Director of Adult Education), afacklam@alaskaliteracyprogram.org, 907-743-0202
Anchorage School District
The Anchorage School District provides transitional programming at King Tech High School to expand academic access to high-school grade-level instruction, graduation pathways, and college/career opportunities for students with limited or interrupted formal education. This project will also support ELL Newcomer Summer school and newcomer student supplies.
Contact: Bobbi Lafferty (ELL Program Director), lafferty_bobbi@asdk12.org, 907-742-4457
Catholic Social Services – Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services
- Case Management & Intakes (RSS, AUSAA, ASA & RCA)
- Employment Services
- Health Promotion
- Refugee School Impact
- Youth Mentoring
- Services for Older Refugees
Contact: Heba El-Hendi (Senior Director), hel-hendi@cssalaska.org, 907-222-7110
Fresh International Garden (FIG)
- Employment Services
- Refugee Health Promotion
- Early Childhood Learning
Contact: Keenan Plate, kplate@cssalaska.org
Fireweed Consulting
Fireweed provides targeted literacy workshops and academic tutoring for high school students.
Contact: Christine Garbe (owner), fireweed.ed.consulting@gmail.com, 907-223-3967
New Chance Ukrainian Relief Inc.
- Ukrainian employment services
Contact: Zori Opanasevych (Director), zori@newchanceak.org, 907-980-0835
Mat-Su Valley Services
Catholic Social Services – Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services
- Case Management & Intakes (RSS, AUSAA, ASA & RCA)
- Employment Services
- Health Promotion
- Refugee School Impact
Contact: Heba El-Hendi (Senior Director), hel-hendi@cssalaska.org, 907-222-7110
Wasilla Workforce Development
The Wasilla Workforce Development Initiative is a program focused on workforce training and business development, driven by the needs of employers in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. It aims to create accessible and attainable pathways to economic stability for refugees and parolees in various fields, including healthcare and patient care, construction and electrical trades, automotive technology, etc.
Contact: Jason Marvel, jason.marvel@matsuk12.us
Delta Services
Catholic Social Services – Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services
- Case Management (RSS & AUSAA)
- Employment Services
- Health Promotion
- Refugee School Impact
Contact: Heba El-Hendi (Senior Director), hel-hendi@cssalaska.org, 907-222-7110
Delta Greeley School District
Delta Greely School District provides academic supports for Office of Refugee Resettlement eligible students and their families, including providing a Dominant Language tutor.
Contact: Michael Lee (Superintendent), mlee@dgsd.us
Virtual Services Available Statewide
Catholic Social Services – Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services
- Remote Case Management (RSS)
Contact: Heba El-Hendi (Senior Director), hel-hendi@cssalaska.org, 907-222-7110
New Chance, Inc.
- Virtual Job Readiness Curriculum Development and Class Delivery
Contact: Zori Opanasevych (Director), zori@newchanceak.org, 907-980-0835
Project Alaska Inc.
Project Alaska Inc. provides comprehensive career and trade services for Office for Refugee Resettlement eligible populations. These include assisting clients with career planning, job search and placement, skills development, education, and diploma evaluation.
Contact: Tetyana Robbins (President), tetyana@projectalaskainc.org, 907-360-2565
To find a list of general community resources available to support new arrivals, click the button below.
Get Help from the Alaska Office for Refugees
Organizations or sponsors interested in supporting refugees or ORR eligible populations in Alaska should contact Mai La Vang at mvang@cssalaska.org or 907-222-7377
Useful Resources:
For an overview of the vetting process for refugees, please visit the U.S. Refugee Admission Process. You can also refer to the other local immigration assistance offices.
Office of Refugee Resettlement Eligibility:
Who is eligible for ORR benefits? Any individual in the state of Alaska who has a status listed below, has arrived in the U.S. within the previous five years, or is within their first five years since receiving that status may qualify.
- Refugees
A refugee has fled his or her country because of well-founded fear of persecution for reasons on political opinion, race, religion, nationality or membership in a particular social group. The term “refugee” is a U.S. government recognized immigration status. - Asylees
An asylee is a person already present in the U.S. who fears persecution in his or her country of origin and is granted asylum by the U.S. government. The term “asylee” is a U.S. government recognized immigration status. - Humanitarian Parolees
A parolee is a person temporarily in the United States due to an emergency and urgent humanitarian reason or significant public benefit. Humanitarian parole does not offer a permanent pathway to lawful permanent residence. - Cuban and Haitian Entrants
A Cuban or Haitian Entrant is originally from Cuba or Haiti, and has been granted parolee status or another special status into the U.S. - Amerasians
An Amerasian is a child fathered in Asia by a U.S. soldier during the Vietnam War. - Victims of Severe Forms of Trafficking A Victim of a Severe Form of Trafficking has been brought into the U.S. and made to enter forced labor without an option to leave.
Useful Links:
Contact Us
Location: 4600 Debarr Road, Suite 201, Anchorage, AK 99508
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Please contact Mai La Vang at mvang@cssalaska.org or 907-222-7377 with questions.