Migration & Refugee Services

Featured Story:
Antonio Serru

Before coming to America, Antonio Serru practiced medicine in Cuba. The conditions there were harsh, even for a doctor.

“In Cuba a doctor’s salary was $25 a month. I did not have a car so I had to ride a bike to see my patients. It was difficult to support my family,” he said.

When he arrived in America, Dr. Serru learned that a medical license from another country is not valid. He would have to start over. To stay informed in the medical field Dr. Serru became a medical assistant working for $8 hour. He stayed at that position for eight years until deciding to become certified as a physician in the U.S. Now as doctor with his own practice, he gives back to the community.

“I remember how much I struggled when I came over here. Just because I’m in a good position now doesn’t mean I can forget. I talk with groups in town and ask them to send me patients even if they have no money. There are a lot of things I can do that do not cost much money but can help,” he said.

He also remembers how upon his initial arrival, Catholic Charities provided assistance.

“Even though I started working within 17 days of arriving here, CCSN helped me with funding, food, and clothes. The help they give is awesome. People get clothes, education, and accommodations. I don’t think there’s an institution that can say they do what CCSN does. It’s a gift,” Dr. Serru said.

Migration and Refugee Services

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Contact Us

1511 Las Vegas Blvd North
Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-383-8387

During the fiscal year of 2019, 806 refugees were welcomed into Nevada. Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is recognized on the federal level as the State Refugee Office in Nevada. In addition to this, our agency is one of three local agencies to carry out resettlement services in the state of Nevada: Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, ECDC African Community Center and Northern Nevada International Center.

Catholic Charities’ Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) helps refugees from all over the world rebuild their lives after they have been forced to leave their families, homes, and countries behind because of racial, religious, or political persecution, often fleeing for their life. Our goal is to help refugees become self-sufficient and lead independent lives as quickly as possible.

We serve refugees and other refugee-eligible populations such as: Asylees, Cuban Entrants, certified Victims of Trafficking, and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders from Iraq and Afghanistan. We provide ongoing assistance to refugees for their first 5 years in starting their new life in America, eventually helping them become American citizens.

MRS provides services such as:

  • Food, shelter and clothing
  • Health services
  • Cultural orientation
  • Case management
  • Employment services
  • Education

Did you know?

  • 70% of our refugees come from Cuba
  • The top five nationalities that we currently welcome come from: Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran, Eritrea and Iraq.
  • According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are more than 25 million refugees worldwide.
  • More than half of these refugees are children.
  • Average wage for a refugee’s first job is the U.S. is $10.38

You Can Help Refugees Start Their New Life!

How you can help:

Create a welcome basket with one of the following items:

  • Donate used or new Household Goods (such as pots, pans, dishes, Mixing/Serving bowls, cooking utensils, brooms, flatware, etc.)
  • Other household items (alarm clocks and light bulbs)
  • Donate Hygiene Products (such as toilet paper, shampoo/conditioner, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste)
  • Donate Cleaning Supplies (such as dish soap, bathroom/kitchen cleaner, sponges, rags, paper towels, laundry detergent, waste basket and garbage bags)
  • Donate used or new Linens (Towels, sheets/blankets for full size beds, pillow and pillow case)
  • Baby items (diapers, wipes, baby clothing and bottles)
  • Toys (small toys, sport toys, books and coloring books)
  • School Supplies

If you donate at our front gate be sure to let the security officer that this donation is for Migration & Refugee Services (MRS)

Other Ways You Can Help:

  • Sponsor a family – a monetary donation of:
    • $30 can help provide one month’s worth of cleaning supplies or hygiene products for a family of four.
    • $50 can help pay for  one week’s worth of food for a family of four.
    • $469 will provide brand new furniture for a single refugee.
    • $560 will supply a one bedroom apartment for a refugee couple.
      Designate a donation here.
  • Volunteer time to tutor English at our English Language Program.
  • Volunteer your time as an interpreter. Needed languages include:
    • Swahili
    • Kinyarwanda
    • French
    • Tigrinya
    • Farsi
    • Arabic