Unaccompanied Refugee Minors

Richmond

“I feel compelled to draw attention to the reality of child migrants, especially the ones who are alone. I ask everyone to take care of the young, who in a threefold way are defenseless: they are children, they are foreigners, and they have no means to protect themselves.”- Pope Francis

Since 1982, CCC has provided safety and shelter to refugee children and teens who have been separated from their parents or guardians while escaping war and violence through the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) foster care program. Only two years earlier, in 1980, the United States had established the URM foster care program.

Children and youth in the program have been identified by the United States Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and are placed in foster care where they are cared for and safe.

CCC serves youth from more than

44 countries

including

Pakistan
Mexico
Haiti
Guatemala
Ghana
Afghanistan
Sudan
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Sierra Leone

Afghanistan

Pakistan

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mexico

Guatemala

Sierra Leone

Haiti

Ghana

Sudan

Virginia is one of only 14 states that participate in URM programs.

Nationwide, the URM program has supported approximately 13,000 minors since 1980.

CCC alone has cared for more than 1,000 youth through the URM program.

What services does CCC provide?

Unaccompanied refugee children and youth are entitled to the same assistance that is available to all children in foster care in Virginia. Additional services include:

Health services

Life skills/independent living

Legal assistance services

Permanency services

Educational support

Social integration support

Cultural and religious preservation

Innovative Support

Youth in the URM program remain eligible for foster care until age 21, unlike traditional foster care programs where youth leave the program at age 18. Overwhelmingly, the youth in CCC's program graduate from high school and enter college or trade school.

After reaching age 21, young adults can continue to receive supplementary services through CCC’s Independent Living program.

Youth and young adults are introduced to community professionals who teach them life skills like renting an apartment, buying a car, banking, healthy eating and cooking, and career development.

Support for foster parents

Children in the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor foster care program have been admitted into the country by the U.S. government and are entitled to a number of benefits to help with their care including: medical insurance, dental insurance, and mental health care.

Foster parents receive a monthly stipend to help with the costs of care. Additionally, a dedicated foster care specialist will partner with each family to provide ongoing support, training, and guidance at every step of the foster care journey.

Who are Unaccompanied Refugee Minors?

Children and youth in CCC's Unaccompanied Refugee Minor foster care program have been admitted to the United States by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The program supports youth and provides them with skills to enter adulthood and achieve self-sufficiency.

ORR states that, “The URM program serves some of the most vulnerable minors in the world.”

Who is eligible for refugee foster care?

The federal government has established seven categories of unaccompanied youth who are eligible for URM foster care.

Refugee Minors

Asylee Minors

Cuban/Haitian Entrants

Survivors of Human Trafficking

Inaccurate Age Cases

Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Cases

Family Breakdown Cases

Learn more about being a foster parent with CCC and the steps involved.

Becoming a Foster Parent

FAQ for URM Fostering

Start the Conversation

Ways to Help

Not ready to be a foster parent yet? That's okay, there are lots of other ways to be involved.

Interest Form

Host a foster care awareness party
- You invite the guests; we’ll bring the snacks!

Invite us to speak at your next event
- we'd love to come to your work, church, rotary meeting, or book club to speak!

Teach a life or career skills workshop
- help youth find their passions by sharing yours!

In Richmond: mentor/house a young adult in Independent Living
- sometimes a youth has reached adulthood and wants independence, but needs a family/mentor

Donate

Your gift will help us provide for children and youth throughout the year

Volunteer

Become a volunteer, tutor or mentor.