Refugee Resettlement Staff at Award Ceremony
Lower Left to Right: Bhatka Sharma, Thang Liana Labya, Dynee Stetzler; Middle Left to Right: Ahmed Alzuhairi, Mary Alessio (Director), Robert Tereba (Executive Director), Fatema Giwa; Top Left to Right: Ali Abdullahi, Laura Lopez (Board Member), Kristina Hammell
Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program was named the United Way Financial Stability Award Winner at the Annual Celebration for Caring and Giving on February 19, 2013. This award of excellence was presented to Director Mary Alessio and her staff at the recent Award Ceremony held at the Canadian Honker Event Center-Ramada Inn. Alessio and her staff were commended for their successful outcome in providing the skills needed for financial stability to newly arrived refugees. Successful outcomes in the area of safe and stable housing, financial literacy training, asset building, and employment were noted. Alessio and her staff are dedicated to providing the skills and training needed for refugees to become contributing members of our community and to use their talents to enhance Olmsted County. Alessio firmly believes that financial capability training and teaching newcomers upon arrival how to budget wisely and save for their needs is a key component needed to succeed in their homes. Catholic Charities provides a 2-day Financial Literacy Workshop for all refugees. Alessio is proud of those refugees who arrive with hopes of a new beginning and who dedicate their efforts to learn and become financially self-sufficient. Alessio believes a dedicated effort in the area of education empowers and provides the skills needed for the refugees to start life anew.
