(Plain Press May 2024) At its April 22^nd meeting, Cleveland CityCouncil approved providing the May Dugan Center $50,000 in funding to provide services to refugees arriving in Cleveland. The funds will be used by the HIAS program (formerly the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) which is “the Jewish humanitarian organization that provides critical services to refugees, asylum seekers, and others from 23 countries around the world.” HIAS is the oldest refugee resettlement organization in the world and has had a presence in Cleveland for almost 100 years and recently affiliated with May Dugan. The refugees are specifically selected and supported by the State Department to come to the United States, and these refugees enter the United States with full legal status.

   May Dugan is expected to resettle 200 people in 2024. Once at full capacity, it will receive up to 500 people to Cleveland each year. Specifically, the May Dugan team assists people from the time they arrive at the airport through their first 90 days in Cleveland. They help the refugees secure housing, obtain food and household items, enroll in schools and English classes, find employment, and otherwise integrate into the United States.