Associated Press Published

Resettlement Group Considers Bringing Refugees to Charleston

refugee.jpg

A refugee resettlement service is considering opening an agency in Charleston that would help refugees move to the area.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that resettlement agency Episcopal Migration Ministries is working with the West Virginia Interfaith Refugee Ministry to turn the city into a “resettlement community.”

Representatives from Episcopal Migration Ministries met with residents of Charleston Thursday to discuss the possibility of helping refugees move to the city. They also scheduled meetings with city officials, police and social service providers.

To turn to city into a resettlement community, organizers in charge of the effort will need to raise about $90,000 for upfront costs.

Jeffrey Hawks, a consultant for Episcopal Migration Ministries, says the U.S. Department of State will ultimately determine if the city can become a resettlement community.