Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
Most parents would go to any length to support their children — and if they were unable to do so, they would likely hope for someone to step in and offer help.
Imagine your teenager stranded in a foreign country, desperately needing a safe place to stay and someone kind-hearted to care for them. You would undoubtedly be forever grateful for any compassionate soul willing to step up.
Right now, you have the opportunity to be that person.
The harsh reality is that many refugee youth desperately need a loving home. The United Nations Refugee Agency reports that nearly 40% of the 117 million forcibly displaced people worldwide in 2023 were children under 18.
According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, 1,869 refugees arrived in the state in 2023 alone — many of them unaccompanied minors.
Catholic Community Services is one of fewer than 20 programs in the U.S. that provides care for unaccompanied refugee minors, and it's the only program of its kind in Utah.
It's completely understandable if this sounds like a daunting task, especially if you've never considered fostering before. However, if your circumstances allow, it could turn out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life — both for the child and for you. If you're curious about how the program works, here's what you need to know:
How refugee foster care works
Catholic Community Services works to resettle unaccompanied refugee youth under the age of 18 by placing them with foster families. As a foster parent, your job is to provide a loving, safe environment for them to adjust to life in the U.S.
The goal is to help these youth set education and career goals that will ultimately help them lead self-sufficient and successful lives as adults.
Who are these refugee youth?
Unaccompanied refugee minors are youth who have been granted refugee status and arrives in the U.S. without a parent or guardian. This includes refugees, asylees, special immigrant juveniles and victims of human trafficking.
Most of these youth are between the ages of 15 and 17 when they arrive.
They come from a variety of places around the world — though many come from regions like Central and Northeast Africa, Southeast Asia, Afghanistan and Central America. Many speak several languages, and while their English skills vary, they all bring their own unique stories and backgrounds.
Though each of these young people has faced trauma, they each process and cope with their experiences in different ways.
What it takes to be a foster parent
Almost anyone can become a foster parent — whether you're single or married, have young children, older kids, no kids at all, or are an empty nester. Your unique qualities might just be the perfect fit for a refugee youth who needs exactly what you can offer.
That said, there are a few requirements to ensure you're fully prepared. Here's what you'll need to do to become a foster parent:
- Complete 24 hours of pre-service training, broken into 2-hour sessions twice a week over six weeks.
- Pass federal and state background checks for everyone in the home over the age of 18.
- Demonstrate the ability to support yourself financially without relying on CCS assistance (through pay stubs or tax forms.)
- Complete an application and necessary paperwork.
- Get certified in CPR and first aid.
- Be single or able to provide proof of marriage.
- Complete an approved home study and home safety inspection by CCS.
You'll have plenty of help along the way
If you're new to fostering, it's natural to feel overwhelmed by the unknowns or worry that you'll be doing it all on your own. But rest assured, that's not the case. Catholic Community Services offers a wealth of resources to support both you and the child in your care.
You'll be paired with a family consultant who will provide training and ongoing support, including monthly visits.
A dedicated case manager will work with the youth to set goals and ensure their needs are met. Additionally, coaches will help them build life skills and support their education and employment goals.
Clinical support is available through individual, group, and family therapy, while immigration attorneys assist with citizenship and immigration matters.
Every youth has Medicaid health coverage and access to both physical and mental health services. They're also enrolled in school, with tutors and other educational support available. To help offset the costs of fostering, CCS provides a monthly stipend to foster parents.
Find out more about refugee foster parenting
Fostering a refugee youth can be one of the most impactful decisions of your life. If you're ready to make a difference, attend the refugee foster parent information meeting on Zoom, held the first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
Take the first step toward providing a safe, loving home for a child in need. For more information or to RSVP, email rfcrecruiting@ccsutah.org.
