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 22, Alaska enrolled 497 new arrivals from 8 different countries.

Advocate

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 Barbi Cupper, at bcupper@cssalaska.org or 907-222-7365.

Anchorage Services

Alaska Literacy Program

  • Health Education Curriculum Development

Contact: Amy Facklam (Director of Adult Education), afacklam@alaskaliteracyprogram.org, 907-743-0202

Anchorage Community Land Trust

  • Set-Up Shop Business Support for Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees

Contact: Jay Her, jher@anchoragelandtrust.org

Anchorage Museum

  • Refugee School impact STEAM Activities

Contact: Erin Marbarger (Senior Education Director), emarbarger@anchoragemuseum.org, 907-929-9259

Anchorage School District

  • Refugee School Impact
  • Support to Schools (ASA)

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: Brigit Reynolds (Director), breynolds@cssalaska.org, 907-222-7348

New Chance Ukrainian Relief Inc.

  • Ukrainian employment services

Contact: Zori Opanasevych (Director), zori@ukrainereliefprogram.com, 907-980-0835

Project Alaska Inc.

  • Ukrainian Trades Career Development (AUSAA)

Contact: Tetyana Robbins (President), tetyana@projectalaskainc.org, 907-360-2565

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: Brigit Reynolds (Director), breynolds@cssalaska.org, 907-222-7348

Mat-Su Borough School District

  • Refugee School Impact

Contact: Eli Wouk (Federal Programs – Services and Events), eli.wouk@matsuk12.us, 907-746-9206

Delta Services

Catholic Social Services – Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services

  • Case Management (RSS & AUSAA)
  • Employment Services
  • Health Promotion
  • Refugee School Impact

Contact: Brigit Reynolds (Director), breynolds@cssalaska.org, 907-222-7348

Delta Greeley School District

  • Support services for Ukrainian students

Contact: Shaun Streyle (Superintendent), sstreyle@dgsd.us

Statewide Services

Catholic Social Services – Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services

  • Remote Case Management (RSS)

Contact: Brigit Reynolds (Director), breynolds@cssalaska.org, 907-222-7348

Fireweed Consulting

  • Refugee School Impact Professional Development for Educators

Contact: Christine Garbe (owner), fireweed.ed.consulting@gmail.com, 907-223-3967

New Chance, Inc.

  • Virtual Job Readiness Curriculum Development and Class Delivery

Contact: Zori Opanasevych (Director), zori@ukrainereliefprogram.com, 907-980-0835

To find a list of general community resources available to support new arrivals, click the button below.

Community Resources

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 907-720-1135 

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.

Services Provided by the Alaska Office for Refugees:

  • Health Care Screening Clinic
    • AOR coordinates health screening clinics throughout the state of Alaska for new arrivals to receive initial medical screenings. Screenings usually occur within 30-90 days after arrival in the United States and are conducted by our various health partners

Useful Links:

Contact Us

Location: 4600 Debarr Road, Suite 201, Anchorage, AK 99508

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Please contact Mai La Vang at 907-720-1135 with questions