Running Head: PORTLAND REFUGEE
2-3 Final Project Milestone One
HSE 101
SNHU
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• The specific agency that I have chosen where I would like to get employed is the
‘Portland Refugee Support Group.’ The agency has committed itself to empower refugees by
extending social support as well as education (Our mission. Portland Refugee Support Group,
2021). I have chosen the specific agency since its mission is to help its clients and service users
navigate a path to lead a successful life in the United States of America. The core values that the
agency focuses on have played an instrumental role and drawn me towards its dedicated services.
Its chief values include respect, diversity and inclusion, integrity, compassion, trust,
collaboration and community.
• While making the selection of the agency, I also considered other agencies such as
Lutheran Community Services Northwest Portland and Community Pathways, Inc. (CPI).
However, I decided against choosing these agencies since I felt the scope of their services was
broad, and it could be overwhelming for me to engage with a broad range of service users who
are in a vulnerable position.
• I have chosen to be employed at the ‘Portland Refugee Support Group’ agency since it
has dedicated itself to creating and offering services for people who are mostly neglected in
society. Refugees and immigrants are one of the most vulnerable groups that exist in the
community. The lack of services that are designed for them increases their desperate situation,
and they do not get an opportunity to get out of their situation. The Portland Refugee Support
Group is committed to creating a community setting where refugees can feel safe and will be
empowered to lead a life of dignity, respect and safety. By working in the agency, I will get an
opportunity to engage and interact with refugees and play an instrumental role in offering quality
social support services to them. One of the main highlights of the agency is the integration of a
diverse range of programs that intend to meet specific needs of refugees. For example,
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Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers food-purchasing assistance to no-
income and low-income people in the nation. Similarly, the Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) program has been designed to offer cash assistance to low-income families
with kids. By joining the agency, I will get an opportunity to become an active part of such
programs and bring about a positive change in the lives of refugees.
• The Portland Refugee Support Group is mainly responsible for offering social support
services along with educational services to refugees in the community setting. One of the chief
services revolves around building community connections where training is offered to
community members to establish a trust-based relationship among refugees. Community
wellness services involve counseling sessions for adults and children. Community education
initiatives are taken to help clients learn English and thereby take an important step towards
integration into the community. The agency also offers emergency financial assistance to its
clients so that they can lead their life on a positive path (What we do. Portland Refugee Support
Group, 2021).
• In the selected agency, a diverse range of professionals exist to offer integrated services to
the service users. Volunteer coordinators play a key role in ensuring that the volunteers get an
opportunity to take part in community activities and enhance the quality of social services that
are extended to refugees. Community Health workers are responsible for assessing the health
needs of refugees and devising an effective care plan to improve their health status. The agency
also creates an opportunity for volunteers to play a proactive role in engaging with refugees in the
region and establishing trust-based relationships with them. Professionals with diverse skills and
knowledge work in the agency to offer high-quality integrated human services to refugees.
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References
Maine shared Community Health Needs Assessment. Maine CHNA | Public Health Data | Maine
CDC. (2021). Retrieved November 1, 2022, from
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/phdata/MaineCHNA/
Our mission. Portland Refugee Support Group. (2021). Retrieved November 1, 2022, from
https://www.pdxrsg.org/-our-mission.html
What we do. Portland Refugee Support Group. (2021). Retrieved November 1, 2022, from
https://www.pdxrsg.org/what-we-do.html
