At the U.S. Refugee Integration Organization (URIO), our services are designed to supplement not replace the work of formal resettlement agencies. We operate in collaboration and partnership, offering volunteer community-driven support beyond the standard service period, ensuring that refugees and immigrants continue to receive culturally grounded, long-term assistance well after their initial and post arrival. Our goal is to fill gaps, extend care, and strengthen the overall network of support as families rebuild their lives in the United States.

  • Pillar 1: Creation, Technology & Innovation

    Building Knowledge, Visibility & Global Connection

    This pillar empowers communities through storytelling, digital education, and creative engagement. Services include:

    1. Storytelling & Community Voice

    We provide safe platforms where refugees and immigrants, including those learning English, can share their stories in their own languages, restoring dignity, visibility, and leadership.

    2. Trusted Information Access Through Media

    Through reliable YouTube shows hosted by Emma and other community leaders, refugees receive accurate, culturally grounded information that helps them navigate life in the U.S. with confidence.

    3. Spotlighting Refugee Talent & Small Businesses

    We showcase refugee-owned businesses, youth talent, artists, and community innovators, strengthening economic mobility and uplifting community pride.

    4. Digital Safety & Media Literacy Education

    We train newcomers/post arrival, pre-arrival to recognize misinformation, stay safe online, and use social media responsibly to protect themselves and their communities.

    5. Cultural Events, Advocacy & Community Celebration

    We organize and promote inclusive gatherings such as World Refugee Day, conferences, cultural workshops, and advocacy days, building unity, belonging, and community resilience.

    6. Global Refugee Network & Crisis Understanding

    We are building a worldwide network of refugee leaders, communities, and storytellers, including direct engagement with refugee camps across Africa and other regions. Through global storytelling exchanges, crisis monitoring, and leadership learning, we help refugees understand emerging challenges, share strategies, and elevate voices that are often unheard. This global connection strengthens advocacy, informs resource allocation, and ensures that local solutions are shaped by real experiences from around the world.

  • Pillar 2: Community Social Support (CSS)

    1. Essential Daily Support & Crisis Response

    Emergency food delivery, crisis intervention, temporary accommodation for those facing eviction, and home visits to help families interpret urgent mail.

    2. Integration, Legal & Administrative Assistance

    DMV appointment scheduling and driving preparation, car-purchase guidance, legal referrals for undocumented community members, and housing stability support including policy education for refugees and landlords.

    3. Health, Wellness & Safety Support

    Health consultations and referrals, vaccine-hesitancy education for African immigrants, support for alcohol addiction (especially among young Congolese refugees), and Know Your Rights mentorship.

    4. Community Engagement & Cultural Enrichment

    Organizing cultural gatherings, community events, and programs that strengthen belonging and understanding between newcomers and host communities.

    5. Volunteer Mobilization & Capacity Building

    Recruiting, training, and coordinating volunteers across Chicago communities, and designing community programs and workshops to build long-term resilience.

  • Pillar 3: Echo-Point Program

    Supporting LGBTQ+ Refugees & Immigrants

    Echo-Point provides compassionate, culturally responsive support to LGBTQ+ community members facing isolation, discrimination, or instability. Services include:

    1. Pathways to Employment & Economic Stability

    We provide targeted career mentorship and professional development that help LGBTQ+ newcomers build confidence, secure work, and move toward long-term economic independence.

    2. Life-Saving Health & Medical Navigation

    From hospital accompaniment for people with chronic illnesses to bedside support during admissions, we ensure no one faces medical challenges alone, bridging critical gaps in access and trust.

    3. Trauma-Informed Emotional & Wellness Support

    Through confidential one-on-one guidance, we help individuals process trauma, build resilience, and regain a sense of stability, dignity, and self-worth.

    4. Essential Needs & Emergency Response

    We deliver urgent food assistance to those without income and provide reliable transportation for medical, legal, and crisis appointments, preventing homelessness, hunger, and medical neglect.

    5. A Safety Net Centered on Dignity, Protection & Belonging

    Every service is intentionally designed for LGBTQ+ refugees navigating isolation, discrimination, and complex barriers. We offer a community where safety is guaranteed, dignity is honored, and belonging is restored.