Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies
2023 Annual Report
Table of Contents
About CRSA ……................................................…..……......... 3
CRSA Member Organizations….. ..............................…........... 4
Economic Impact of GA Refugees & Immigrants….. ....……… 5
Global Talent Study Committee …...............................…......... 6
Supporting Georgia Employers…............................….............. 7 Georgia Humanitarian Response….……………………..............8
Entrepreneurs...……………………...……………………………..9
Youth .......................................................................….............10
Civic Engagement ..................................................…..............11
Stories ……………………………………………………………..13
About CRSA
The Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies (CRSA) was founded in 2012 by seven Atlanta refugee resettlement and service organizations to educate Georgia’s policy makers and leaders on the positive contributions refugees and immigrants make to the state. The CRSA was founded in an environment where anti-immigrant sentiment and misinformation in the state contributed toward policies that negatively impacted Georgia’s vibrant immigrant communities and endangered the economic growth and cultural diversity that had brought greater prosperity to all Georgians. As service organizations with limited resources, the CRSA’s founders came together to share messaging, data and staff capacity in order to communicate a positive message and advocate for a more welcoming state.
Today the CRSA has grown to 26 members that include a broad coalition of refugee resettlement agencies, refugee and immigrant service providers, ethnic community organizations, educational institutions, community centers and health providers. This diverse coalition advocates for a more welcoming Georgia at the federal, state and local level.
The CRSA’s key priorities for 2024 include:
CRSA 2023 Annual Report | 3
Provide leadership development, advocacy training, and engagement opportunities for refugees and immigrants in the work of CRSA.
4
Promote a legislative agenda in Georgia that provides opportunities for the success of all.
2
Expand CRSAʼs relationships across sectors and party lines.
3
Ensure effective and robust refugee resettlement in the United States on a federal, state, and local level.
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CRSA Member Organizations
Inspiritus
weinspirit.org
International American Relief Society
International Rescue Committee in Atlanta
rescue.org/atlanta
Jewish Family & Career Services
jfcsatl.org
Latin American Association
thelaa.org
New American Pathways
newamericanpathways.org
Refuge Coffee Co.
refugecoffeeco.com
Refugee Women’s Network
refugeewomensnetworkinc.org
Somali American Community Center
facebook.com/somaliacc
Reach for Excellence
Tekton Career Training
https://tektontraining.org/
Refugee Family Assistance Services
https://refugeefamilyassistanceprogram.com/home-1
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Amani Women’s Center
https://amaniwomencenter.org/
Afghan American Alliance
https://www.afghanamericanallianceofga.org/
Bethany Christian Services
bethany.org/locations/us#georgia
Burmese Rohingya Community of Georgia
brcgrohingya.org
Catholic Charities Atlanta
catholiccharitiesatlanta.org
CDF: A Collective Action Initiative
cdfaction.org
Center for Victims of Torture
cvt.org
Clarkston Community Center
clarkstoncommunitycenter.org
Eritrean-American Community Association of Georgia atleritrea.org
Ethaar
ethaarusa.org
Friends of Refugees
friendsofrefugees.com
Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network
Global Village Project
globalvillageproject.org
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Economic Impact of GA Refugees & Immigrants
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Refugees and immigrants are a vital part of Georgia’s communities and economy.
¹Visit American Immigration Council to learn more https://map.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/locations/georgia/
$32.6 billion
Spending power¹
$44 billion
Immigrant household income¹
292,636 Immigrant homeowners¹
$11.4 billion
Taxes paid¹
1,089,506 (10.1% of population)
Immigrant residents in Georgia¹
The Business & Immigration for Georgia (BIG) Partnership
Georgia's global workforce is vital to the stateʼs economic success. In 2020, CRSA launched the BIG Partnership, a statewide partnership of Georgia business and civic leaders committed to strengthening Georgiaʼs economy by tapping the potential of the stateʼs immigrant communities. With more than three dozen members already, the BIG Partnership continues to grow and carve a path toward greater prosperity for all Georgians.
Global Talent Study Committee
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In 2021 the Georgia House unanimously passed HR 11 to form the House Study Committee on Innovative Ways to Maximize Global Talent. This bi-partisan committee met over four sessions with business, community, and education leaders along with foreign-born Georgia residents. On December 10, 2021, the Study Committee issued a final report with five recommendations for maximizing Georgia’s deep pool of global talent:
1. Remove barriers to admission at Georgia public colleges.
2. Invest in English learning instruction.
3. Streamline requirements for experienced professionals to re-enter their fields.
4. Support childcare entrepreneurs and expand access to childcare.
5. Incentivize entrepreneurship programs.
4. Support childcare entrepreneurs and expand access to childcare.
5. Incentivize entrepreneurship programs.
Supporting Georgia Employers
Refugees and immigrants are critical to Georgia’s Economy. They bring skills and experience from their home countries and work in many of Georgia’s key industries. Yet nearly one in five foreign born Georgians is un- or under-employed, costing the state millions of dollars in lost earnings and tax revenue each year.
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Immigrants make up 13.6% of the stateʼs labor force and a significant percentage of critical, frontline fields including
Visit American Immigration Council to learn more https://map.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/locations/georgia/
Immigrants make up:
7750
Job placements
$16.30
Average hourly wage
6,896
People received job readiness services
563
Received career advancement and placement services
CRSA organizations provide workforce development services that support Georgia's essential workforce:
Georgia’s Humanitarian Response: Refugees in Georgia
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Georgia’s Humanitarian Response: Refugees in Georgia
Georgia is home to four refugee resettlement agencies and has been a part of this life saving humanitarian program for over forty years. Georgia’s resettlement program has been one of the most successful in the country due to high early employment rates and welcoming communities.
Refugee Arrivals in Georgia
Refugee: a person who has fled their country of
nationality and is unable to return due to a well- 2500 2017: 2179
founded fear of persecution based on race, ethnicity,
religion, political opinion or membership in a 2000 2018: 1015
particular group.
1500 2019: 1330
16 20 2020: 504
Countries of origin Counties 1000
Afghanistan, Burma(Myanmar), Barrow, Bartow, Chatham, 2021: 499
Cambodia, Central Africa Cherokee, Clayton, 500
Republic. Democratic Republic Cobb, Columbia, Dekalb,
of the Congo, El Salvador, Douglas, Forsythe, 2022: 1061
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, 0
Honduras, Iran, Sri Lanka, Muscogee, Newton, 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Sudan, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine, Paulding, Richmond,
Venezuela, Vietnam. Sumter, Terrell, Tift.
1,061 157 87%
Number of Permanent Refugees
refugees housing units working & self-
resettled secured for sufficient within
in FY22. refugees. 8 months
Refugee: a person who has fled their country of nationality and is unable to return due to a well- founded fear of persecution based on race, ethnicity, religion, political opinion or membership in a particular group.
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Countries of origin
Afghanistan, Burma(Myanmar), Central Africa Republic. Colombia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Mali. Moldova, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, S, Sudan, Venezuela, Yemen
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Counties
Barrow, Bartow, Carroll Chatham, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Douglas, Forsythe,
Fulton, Gordon, Gwinnett, Hall, Oconee, Polk
2,364
Number of refugees resettled in FY23.
Georgia is home to six refugee resettlement agencies and has been a part of this life saving humanitarian program for over forty years. Georgia’s resettlement program has been one of the most successful in the country due to high early employment rates and welcoming communities.
2017: 2179
2018: 1015
2019: 1330
2020: 504
2021: 499
2022: 1061
2023: 2364
807
Ukrainians humanitarian entrants served
525
Affordable housing units secured
Entrepreneurs
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The determination and entrepreneurial spirit of Georgia immigrants have made them a driving force in the state’s small business community, creating new jobs for Georgians across the state and producing billions in sales each year.
¹Visit American Immigration Council to learn more https://map.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/locations/georgia//
2Visit New American Economy to learn more https://www.newamericaneconomy.org/city/atlanta/
41%
Foreign-born Georgians are 41% more likely than others to open a new business in the state2
105,374 20.6%
Immigrant entrepreneurs in Georgia¹
$2.7 billion
In income from immigrant-owned
firms¹
Youth
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Refugee and immigrant youth are an important part of Georgia’s future. CRSA organizations support parents, students and schools to ensure that Georgia’s future workforce has the education and skills they need to thrive.
25,057
International students at GA colleges and universities¹
$835 million
Contribution to the economy by international students¹
8276
Jobs supported by international students¹
30,734
DACA eligible¹ Goeriga students
635,323
Children in Georgia having at least one foreign-born parent²
Undocumented Georgians pay tuition
2 to 4 times higher
than in-state residents²
2714
Youth receiving services by CRSA organizations
1. New American Economy data 2. GBPI data
1883
Parents served through parent support services
1334
Youth receiving afterschool or summer academic and enrichment services by CRSA organizations
Immigration
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Refugees and immigrants contribute to Georgia’s communities and should be able to participate fully in community life. CRSA organizations work to ensure that immigrants and refugees can obtain the most secure immigration status for which they are eligible and have a voice in the decisions that impact their lives.
1,109
Applications for permanent
residency
650
Asylum applications submitted
601
Citizenship applications submitted
523,486
Immigrants eligible to vote in Georgia1
3,247
Registered to vote by CRSA members
1. https://map.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/locations/georgia/
232
Family reunification applications submitted
49.5%
Of immigrants in Georgia are
naturalized citizens
350,201
Georgia immigrants are eligible for naturalization
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Dr. Dawood Azeemy left Afghanistan in 2021 on a Fulbright scholarship at Georgia State University to earn a master’s degree in public health. Two weeks after he arrived, Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, destroying any chance of return.
In Afghanistan, he earned his medical degree from Kabul Medical University. He trained and worked alongside American doctors at the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children, serving for seven years as ICU physician and anesthesiologist. Due to licensing and other barriers, he is currently sitting on the medical sidelines in GA, unable to practice. He now works as project lead at a nonprofit mental health clinic that provides free care to refugee survivors of war and torture. He continues to explore options to return to practice.
Afghan Doctor Dreams of
Practicing Medicine in U.S.
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21-year-old Sandrine was first welcomed by a CRSA organization in Atlanta in April 2022 after she and her family of seven, originally from Zambia, were resettled through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Talented, driven, and soon co-enrolled in the Connect 2 Success and Career Development programs, Sandrine began working with Sam Camirand, Career Pathways Specialist, and Carlos McClaney, Youth Career Readiness Coach, in October 2022 and with their support, completed the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC).
Now working for a CNA agency that allows flexible shifts across multiple locations, Sandrine shared, “It’s the kind of job I never thought I would have. As a student, it is very flexible, I can make my own schedule and choose when I want to go to work.“
With a firm educational foundation established and dreams to grow her medical career, Sandrine worked with Carlos to complete her college application to Georgia State University and her application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and started at the Clarkston campus—majoring in Nursing—in Spring 2023.
Meet Sandrine, former refugee and future nurse
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Suraiya Sultani has a dream to be the first Afghan woman to fly for Delta Airlines.
Inspired by an article her mother shared about the first Afghan woman to serve for their country’s Air Force, it was during the pandemic that Suraiya began contemplating a change of direction from the business degree she was pursuing in college at the time. However, when the Afghan government fell to Taliban rule, she was suddenly confronted with more urgent and difficult decisions. Ultimately, Suraiya, her mother, and five of her nine siblings in their blended family decided to leave Afghanistan on August 28th, 2021. Eight days after the Taliban seized control of the country, she said goodbye to her stepfather and remaining siblings.
In a new country with new opportunities and a newfound sense of courage, Suraiya has been revisiting her dream of becoming a pilot. She recently toured the Delta TechOps facility at the airport where she was able to see how planes are assembled, tested, cleaned, and repaired. It was here she was informed that if she became a commercial pilot for Delta, she’d be the first Afghan and hijabi woman to fly a plane for the company. As she retells this anecdote, Saraiya beams and adds, “Now I know I have to do this.”
Suraiya’s message for lawmakers: “Women can do anything they want. Afghan women are human too. Please, help our women and allow us to navigate a new life here.”
Landing her Dream Job
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Jose Delcid arrived to the U.S. at the age of 14 with his parents. After high school, he worked for PF Chang’s for 16 years in multiple positions. Once he turned 40, he was still working as a bartender at PF Chang’s but wanted to turn his career around to have more work/life balance. One day, he came to a CRSA organization looking for volunteer opportunities and stumbled upon a Unidos in Finance orientation session. Although he hadn’t come to the organization for that specifically, joining the program changed his life forever.
Once he graduated from Unidos in Finance, he was offered multiple job offers at different partner banks but ultimately decided to join the Bank of America team. He currently serves as a Senior Personal Banker, where he is responsible for assisting current customers at the bank with their financial needs. Jose is still very close with his graduating class and has come back as a Unidos in Finance volunteer to help with the mock interview process and classes.
From Job to Dream Job
Mission: To engage a broad coalition to highlight the cultural, social, and economic contributions of refugees and immigrants in Georgia.
Vision: We envision a future where every person who calls Georgia home is valued, respected, and able to build a successful life.
Contact Us: If you would like to learn more about CRSA or any of our partners, please contact CRSA Co-Chairs Ashley Coleman Ashley.Coleman@weinspirit.org and MuzdaOriakhil muzhda@friendsofrefugees.com
Credits:
Design and Layout: Paedia Mixon and Eric Key
Text and Graphics: Ashley Coleman and Paedia Mixon
@CRSA_Georgia
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