REFUGEE SERVICES OF TEXAS, INC.
The following information is taken directly from our official website. Please visit that site for further information about programs and services.
Mission Statement
Refugee Services of Texas, Inc. is a not-for-profit social service agency guided by principles of human compassion and dignity committed to providing quality services for refugees and other displaced persons. Working in partnership with faith based communities, businesses and volunteers, we provide our clients with resources, referrals, education and guidance to ensure their successful and self-sufficient lives in Texas.
A BRIEF AGENCY HISTORY
Refugee Services of Texas, Inc. (RST) has been resettling refugees in Dallas for 32 years. Formerly Dallas-Fort Worth Refugee Interagency, Inc., RST amended its articles of incorporation under the laws of the State of Texas on July 15, 1989 giving effect to its name change. In July 2002 RST further had a name change to Refugee Services of Texas Inc. when a new sub office was opened in Austin Texas. RST now has offices in Dallas, Ft.Worth, Austin, Amarillo, and Houston and have just recently opened a new Administrative office in Dallas in the Munger/Junius area.
RST was originally formed as a non-profit organization to provide the activities of organizations with respect to refugee resettlement; to coordinate social services provided for refugees, including education, medical care, housing, clothing and employment; to undertake further programs for refugees in cultural and other fields not now provided by other agencies; and to conduct workshops for organizations engaged in refugee programs. During our history we have successfully resettled over 10,000 new Americans into Texas.
RST also works with asylees and has programs relating to human trafficking. Another unique program is Greenleaf, which provides mental health counseling and was previously housed at the University of Texas, School of Social Work in our Austin office.
In accordance with our mission of working with displaced peoples, RST began working with the Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and Houston in September 2005. RST had grants through Lutheran Disaster Response and Episcopal Migration Ministries UMCOR Katrina Aid Today for these programs to provide case management. RST continued to work with displaced Americans though funding from the North Central Council of Governments in Dallas and Tarrant counties and with Urban League in Dallas under the Dallas Housing Authority which has now ended.
RST also has an immigration clinic in our Dallas and Fort Worth offices through a partnership with Justice For Our Neighbors. This immigration clinic serves RST clients to adjust their status, file family petitions and any other immigration issues.
Refugee Services of Texas Inc. is an affiliate of Church World Service, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and Episcopal Migration Ministries.
