Twin Cities Refugee Consortium

The Twin Cities Refugee Consortium is a long-running meeting led by the four metro refugee resettlement agencies—Arrive Ministries, Lutheran Social Service, International Institute of Minnesota, and Minnesota Council of Churches. Refugee Consortium meetings are opportunities to learn from each other about resettlement and services for those with refugee status and other ORR-eligible statues, identify and share challenges, and discuss ways to better serve and welcome new arrivals into our communities. 

Standing meeting points of emphasis:

  • Are there any changes in capacity to serve refugees at this time?
  • What are the challenges that are preventing resettlement services?
  • What strategies and programming are being done to support the integration of refugees into our community?

Example Agenda
Introductions & Housekeeping
Resettlement Agencies Reports

  • Program and arrivals updates
    • Current year arrival numbers and demographics

Sector Updates & Discussion

  • MN DHS Resettlement Programs Office
  • MN Department of Health
  • Local Public Health
  • Public Education
  • Local Governance (cities, counties)
  • Public Safety
  • Public Assistance

Presentation & Discussion
Agency Announcements

 

Twin Cities Refugee Consortium Meetings are held quarterly on Zoom. Future meetings are scheduled for the following dates: 

  • Q1: Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 3 PM
  • Q2: Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 3 PM
  • Q3: Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 3 PM
  • Q4: Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 3 PM

 

Due to federal policy changes related to the Reception & Placement program, which was the basis of the Consortium meetings, the decision was announced on 3/20/25 that the meetings will be paused indefinitely. To learn more about that meeting's content, click here. If you would still like a place to meet with colleagues and support refugees, we recommend attending the Welcoming Minnesota Forum which meets monthly and is hosted by DHS RPO. To get registration details, email welcomeminnesota.dhs@state.mn.us. 

 

If you have any questions about the Twin Cities Refugee Consortium, reach out to Chelsea Stanton (Refugee Services Admin Coordinator). Recordings of past meetings are available below.

MCC maintains the email list for this meeting on behalf of the Consortium. Subscribers to the email list receive the Zoom info, a link to the recording of the meeting, and information about resources shared in the meeting. SIGN UP for emails here.

 

RECORDINGS OF PAST MEETINGS

 

Tags: 
Refugee Services