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| International Services Center of Cleveland | |
|---|---|
| Name | International Services Center of Cleveland |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Community leaders and refugee advocates |
| Headquarters | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Region served | Greater Cleveland, Cuyahoga County |
| Services | Refugee resettlement, immigration assistance, language access, employment services |
International Services Center of Cleveland is a nonprofit resettlement and immigration assistance agency based in Cleveland, Ohio. The organization provides reception, placement, and integration services to refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants, coordinating with federal agencies, local institutions, and community organizations. It operates in a metropolitan network of social service providers and collaborates with public and private partners to deliver comprehensive case management, language access, and employment support.
The Center was established in the early 1990s amid resettlement waves triggered by events such as the Yugoslav Wars, the aftermath of the Gulf War, and humanitarian crises in Somalia. Early partners included national agencies like the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alongside local institutions such as University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and the Cleveland Clinic. During the 2000s the organization expanded services in response to arrivals from Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, aligning with national programs administered by Office of Refugee Resettlement contractors and regional actors like Catholic Charities USA affiliates. The Center adapted to policy shifts following directives from administrations in Washington, D.C. and coordinated with municipal initiatives led by the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County officials. In the 2010s and 2020s it responded to crises including the Syrian civil war and displacement linked to the Rohingya crisis, partnering with refugee-led organizations and academic centers such as Case Western Reserve University for research and program evaluation.
The Center offers a suite of programs modeled on national resettlement standards used by agencies like International Rescue Committee and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Core services include reception and placement for arrivals referred by the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, cultural orientation workshops similar to curricula from Refugee Council USA, and case management integrating public benefits enrollment via Social Security Administration interactions. Language access services encompass interpretation and instruction drawing on curricula from English Language Learners networks and collaboration with community colleges such as Cuyahoga Community College. Employment programs connect clients to workforce partners like Goodwill Industries and sector employers in healthcare networks including MetroHealth System. Additional offerings include legal screening and referrals involving bar associations and nonprofit legal providers such as Legal Aid Society affiliates, mental health counseling coordinated with Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and youth services partnering with organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Clients have included refugees from countries affected by conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as migrants from Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. The Center tracks outcomes consistent with measures used by Migration Policy Institute and Pew Research Center research on immigrant integration, documenting employment placement rates, language proficiency gains, and school enrollment outcomes in districts such as the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Impact assessments cite collaborations with philanthropic institutions like The Cleveland Foundation and evaluation partners at Johns Hopkins University and Columbia University migration centers. The Center’s programs have influenced municipal policy debates alongside actors such as Greater Cleveland Partnership and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Funding streams combine federal grants from entities like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and contracts from the U.S. Department of State, foundation support from institutions including The Cleveland Foundation and George Gund Foundation, and donations coordinated with charities such as United Way of Greater Cleveland. Strategic partnerships include national resettlement networks like Church World Service, regional healthcare systems like Cleveland Clinic, academic collaborators such as Case Western Reserve University, and legal networks including American Immigration Lawyers Association. Corporate partnerships have included workforce engagements with employers such as KeyBank and logistics collaborations with organizations similar to AmeriCorps. Cooperative agreements with local government offices in Cuyahoga County and municipal departments in Cleveland, Ohio support housing placement and public health linkages.
The Center’s primary offices are situated in the Cleveland metropolitan area near service hubs and transit corridors used by agencies like Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. Satellite sites and partner locations include community centers, faith-based facilities tied to congregations such as local branches of Catholic Charities USA and Jewish Family Service, and classroom space at institutions like Cuyahoga Community College. Case management and intake centers coordinate with medical providers in networks including University Hospitals and MetroHealth System for initial health screenings and referrals. Temporary resettlement apartments have been arranged through collaborations with housing authorities and nonprofit developers engaged with Cleveland Housing Network initiatives.
Governance follows a nonprofit board model with representation from civic leaders, legal experts, and health professionals drawn from institutions such as Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University, and local bar associations. Executive leadership typically includes a director with experience in refugee affairs who liaises with federal entities like the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Staff roles encompass case managers, employment specialists, bilingual family advocates, and volunteers sourced through partnerships with organizations such as AmeriCorps and university service programs at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University. Training protocols incorporate standards from International Rescue Committee and public health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Center has been active in citywide responses to resettlement surges following events like the fall of Mosul and evacuations related to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021). It has received recognition and awards from local institutions such as The Cleveland Foundation and acknowledgments from municipal leaders including the Mayor of Cleveland for contributions to community integration. The organization has hosted symposiums with national experts from Migration Policy Institute and convened stakeholder briefings with representatives from the U.S. Department of State and Office of Refugee Resettlement.
Category:Nonprofit organizations based in Cleveland Category:Refugee aid organizations in the United States