Catholic Charities assists Afghan refugees

OKLAHOMA CITY – Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and CAIR Oklahoma have welcomed the first group of Afghan refugees to Oklahoma City.

CCAOKC has been involved with resettling refugees in Oklahoma for nearly 50 years. More recently, CCAOKC has worked with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as a reception and placement agency. 

Traditionally, CCAOKC’s work begins when refugees arrive at Will Rogers World Airport after being thoroughly vetted through U.S. government agencies and approved for resettlement. Catholic Charities’ services for refugees includes housing, medical screening, registering children for school, employment and community inculturation. In recent years, arrivals have been primarily from Burma and Vietnam.

In late September, the first Afghan family was met at the airport by staff members from Catholic Charities and CAIR Oklahoma. CCAOKC provided transportation to a safe, clean environment for the family while they transition to a new life. CAIR Oklahoma, the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, provided welcome bags and a welcome meal. 

“I believe our work in this space is a direct continuation of the mission of those 13 brave Americans who lost their lives to provide safety and security for these very people, and I for one am proud to be engaged,” said Patrick Raglow, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. 

“We have been gratified by the outpouring of support from across the community, and invite all others of goodwill to do their part in offering welcome to our new neighbors.”

As more arrivals are expected in the coming weeks and months, CCAOKC will continue to be the resettlement agency for the state in partnership with CAIR Oklahoma and other organizations to help families feel welcome and adapt to their new surroundings. CCAOKC expects to welcome 1,000 refugees in Oklahoma City and 800 refugees in Tulsa. 


To help with new arrivals, visit catholiccharitiesok.org and click on Refugee Assistance at the top right.