Our Role

The Kentucky Office for Refugees (KOR) is a department of Catholic Charities of Louisville and is designated by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to administer the state refugee resettlement program and serve as the State Refugee Coordinator’s office. This office is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation and coordination of refugee services in the state. The Kentucky Office for Refugees administers federal funding received from ORR for post-resettlement services. In Kentucky the statewide refugee resettlement program is managed by a nonprofit instead of the state government.

KOR awards and manages refugee services grant programs through a number of refugee resettlement agencies, school districts, community colleges, health providers and community organizations in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green and Owensboro. Through sub-award agreements and contracts, KOR supports job readiness and job placement services, case management, English language training, initial health screenings, and short-term cash assistance for refugees. KOR also works with mainstream service providers to ensure that services and benefits are culturally and linguistically accessible. KOR regularly consults Kentuckians who came through the refugee resettlement program about their experience in order to identify gaps in services, strengthen existing programs, and ultimately improve the resettlement experience for refugees who have yet to arrive.

The Kentucky Office for Refugees (KOR) is federally designated to coordinate refugee resettlement services across the state, providing grants management, policy guidance and program development to promote self-sufficiency and community integration.

A Commonwealth where all refugees are welcomed to determine their own futures in solidarity with their fellow Kentuckians.