Refugee Resettlement in Seattle: Building Partnerships between Community-Based Organizations and Resettlement Agencies for Better Refugee Integration

Abstract

While refugee resettlement has been primarily the responsibility of voluntary agencies, it cannot be completed, understood, and effective without community-based organizations (CBOs). This research focused on how CBOs can collaborate or partner with voluntary resettlement agencies (Volags) in King County, WA. The central argument in this thesis is that building and fostering partnerships between these two types of actors will improve refugee resettlement outcomes. Using data gathered from grey literature review, in-depth interviews, and informal discussions with people working in refugee reception, placement, and post resettlement, the author argues that the level of collaboration/partnership between the aforementioned institutions is low and needs to be improved. After presenting some examples of partnerships from across the country, the author details the expectations and concerns that community organizations have toward resettlement agencies. The author also makes recommendations that, if implemented, can improve the level of collaboration between voluntary resettlement agencies and community organizations.