Goals and Expectations of Refugees: Perspectives of Social Service Providers

Abstract

The United States provides diverse resettlement initiatives that aim to foster inclusive and welcoming communities for refugees. This study examines refugees’ goals and expectations from the perspective of social service providers. Data was collected through a focus group from 8 social service providers (3 were American-born, and 5 came to the United States as refugees themselves) who work with refugees in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. The findings identified five topics through a thematic analysis. The first two were related to how the social service providers viewed refugees—seeking safety and perseverance to overcome powerlessness, for example—while the third theme arose from how the social service providers saw refugees’ objectives—becoming independent and self-sufficient—and the final two were about how they believed refugees should expect to be treated—learning about the culture and their need to gain sustainable employment. The findings also include the social service providers’ perspectives on the cultural competency, diversity, and sensitivity skills needed to provide resettlement services and inevitably enhance the resettlement experiences of refugees in the United States. The characteristics necessary for success were derived from the traits that were recognized and utilized. The focus groups drove the social service discussions, which affected practice, education, and policy implications. The findings are helpful in advocating and allocating resources for resettlement services geared toward training social service providers.