Cultural Orientation Program Launched

The Cultural Orientation Program was launched in June with the first class of Bhutanese refugees. The aim of the program is to instruct all newly arrived refugees on key topics that will help them to adjust to their new life in the United States. There are six topics covered in the four day program, from housing to budgeting to services available at the Baltimore Resettlement Center. Classes are designed to help refugees learn critical skills such as how to: (1) get a job, (2) create and live with a balanced family budget, (3) maintain a safe and healthy rental unit and (4) stay safe in the Baltimore community. The program is mandatory for all able-bodied adults and instruction is provided by language group with a trained interpreter. In its first month, the Cultural Orientation Program has graduated 49 refugees from Bhutan, Burma, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.