Where Hope Meets Home: A Look Inside Bridge Refugee Services
Since its founding in 1982, Bridge Refugee Services has been dedicated to helping migrants build new lives in communities across East Tennessee. With a focus on dignity, opportunity, and hope, the organization supports refugees and asylum seekers on their journey to safety, stability, and belonging.
Vision: That refugees and international protected classes resettled in East Tennessee will find a secure path toward self-sufficiency and fulfill their American dreams within a supportive community
Over the past decade, Bridge Refugee Services has helped more than 2,400 refugees from all over the world, including Eastern Europe, Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Serving East Tennessee, Bridge offers a wide range of programs and services to help individuals and families adjust to life in the United States. From securing housing and food to preparing for job interviews, Bridge walks alongside clients as they build new lives.
Case Management
Case managers play a vital role in helping newcomers navigate life in a new country. They assist with everything from enrolling in English classes and connecting with local schools to adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings. As newcomers face new systems and challenges, case managers are there every step of the way—offering guidance, support, and encouragement.
Whether it’s accessing healthcare, navigating public services, or meeting other essential needs, case managers work one-on-one with each client to identify their specific goals and provide personalized support throughout their journey.
Employment Program
This program is unique in its focus on helping clients achieve employment and long-term self-sufficiency. Bridge offers job readiness training, interpretation services, and ongoing support to prepare individuals for the workforce. By securing meaningful employment, clients can begin supporting themselves and their families more quickly.
Partnering with Bridge is also a win for employers. Refugee clients are motivated, dependable, and eager to contribute. They are pre-screened to ensure a strong match with job opportunities and often bring valuable skills, experience, and a strong work ethic to the table. Their enthusiasm to work and build a new life makes them an asset to any team.
Refugee School Impact Program (RSIG)
Upon arriving in the U.S., refugees often face a significant cultural shift—especially when it comes to the education system. One key to successful integration is access to education, and Bridge Refugee Services helps set families up for success through its RSIG program. Parents and children are provided with vital information about what to expect in schools, helping ease the transition.
Bridge connects families with after-school tutoring, parental involvement programs, bilingual counselors, and more. In partnership with Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, Bridge also hosts an English camp every year for middle and high school students.
These educational programs are essential in building confidence and providing refugee children with the tools they need to thrive in a new environment.
Community Connection
Connecting to a new community can be overwhelming—especially when facing language and cultural barriers. That’s where Bridge’s Community Assistance Teams step in. These teams are made up of individuals who are already active in social groups, faith communities, or local organizations. They’re paired with newly arrived refugees for a period of three to six months, offering friendship, practical support, and a sense of belonging during the critical early stages of resettlement.
More information on becoming a Community Assistant: https://www.bridgerefugees.org/community-connection/
We’re proud to feature Bridge Refugee Services on the Connecting Knox App. Their work supporting refugees as they adjust to life in East Tennessee is both vital and inspiring. Through our partnership, we hope to amplify their mission and connect more people in our community with opportunities to get involved, offer support, and make a lasting impact.
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