About Us

Tens of thousands of unaccompanied children seek refuge in the United States each year. Most are fleeing from threats and violence in El Salvador, Guatemala or Honduras. 

These children are released from the Office of Refugee Resettlement custody into the care of a sponsor who are likely a relative or friend already living in the United States. The transition is often tough as they adjust to new communities, cultures, languages and family units.  

Each child has mental health, safety, education and legal needs that must be met. 

They are facing a new world with limited help. That's where CWS comes in. 

In 2021 Church World Service began serving unaccompanied children and their sponsors in Indiana through our Home Study and Post Release Services program. In the Home Study part of the program, we visit the homes where children will be living, before they arrive. We interview each member of the household and ensure the placement is safe for the child while preparing the sponsor for the responsibility of the arriving child’s safety, rights and needs.  

Once the child is living with their sponsor, the Post Release Services component of our work starts. CWS caseworkers work with the children and sponsors to create an action plan. They set goals like finishing school, obtaining legal immigration status, or connecting to other community support systems. Our team checks in with the child and their sponsors at least once a month to make sure the child is safe and making progress. The entire process is done in whatever language the child and their sponsor are most comfortable speaking.