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PRESS RELEASE _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Media Contact: Eric L. Steckel, Communications Manager 510-768-3147 [email protected] Catholic Charities of the East Bay CEO Chuck Fernandez Commits to Helping Syrian Refugees East Bay provider of refugee resettlement services urges community to stand in solidarity with Syrian refugees and other victims of terrorist organizations. OAKLAND, Calif. November 19, 2015 In the wake of the tragic events in Paris on November 13, 2015, Catholic Charities of the East Bay Chief Executive Officer Chuck Fernandez has issued a statement on behalf of the agencys refugee resettlement program. The agency, which has provided resettlement services in the East Bay for over 35 years, is committed to providing for the safety of all refugees referred to it from the U.S. State Department, including those fleeing civil war in Syria. The attacks in Paris have led to passionate discussion regarding the acceptance of Syrian refugees to the United States. We wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the attacks. We also express our condolences to the French people and others traumatized by this violence,said Mr. Fernandez. We want to take this opportunity to reinforce our unwavering commitment to Welcoming the Strangerand to the safety of our community. These are not mutually exclusive and the United States can continue to welcome refugees while steadfastly maintaining our own security.We urge our community to avoid the impulse to blame all refugees for the actions of terrorist organizations,he continued. They, too, are victims of violence and persecution and seek a place of safety and freedom. Instead, we urge our community to stand in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of Syrians and others displaced by the violence in their homelandRefugees are referred to Catholic Charities by the U.S. State Department after extensive security checks and background screenings. Refugees go through multiple layers of interviews and security checks making them the most thoroughly vetted group of people who come to the United States.,explained Mr. Fernandez. Pope Franciscomments before the U.S. Congress brought this to the attention of all Americans. Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second

Catholic Charities of the East Bay CEO Chuck Fernandez Commits to Helping Syrian Refugees

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East Bay provider of refugee resettlement services urges community to stand in solidarity with Syrian refugees and other victims of terrorist organizations.OAKLAND, Calif. – November 19, 2015 – In the wake of the tragic events in Paris on November 13, 2015, Catholic Charities of the East Bay Chief Executive Officer Chuck Fernandez has issued a statement on behalf of the agency’s refugee resettlement program. The agency, which has provided resettlement services in the East Bay for over 35 years, is committed to providing for the safety of all refugees referred to it from the U.S. State Department, including those fleeing civil war in Syria. The attacks in Paris have led to passionate discussion regarding the acceptance of Syrian refugees to the United States. “We wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the attacks. We also express our condolences to the French people and others traumatized by this violence,” said Mr. Fernandez. “We want to take this opportunity to reinforce our unwavering commitment to ‘Welcoming the Stranger’ and to the safety of our community. These are not mutually exclusive and the United States can continue to welcome refugees while steadfastly maintaining our own security.” “We urge our community to avoid the impulse to blame all refugees for the actions of terrorist organizations,” he continued. “They, too, are victims of violence and persecution and seek a place of safety and freedom. Instead, we urge our community to stand in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of Syrians and others displaced by the violence in their homeland” Refugees are referred to Catholic Charities by the U.S. State Department after extensive security checks and background screenings. “Refugees go through multiple layers of interviews and security checks making them the most thoroughly vetted group of people who come to the United States.,” explained Mr. Fernandez. Pope Francis’ comments before the U.S. Congress brought this to the attention of all Americans. “Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War…To respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal. We need to avoid a common temptation nowadays: to discard whatever proves troublesome. Let us remember the Golden Rule: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’” Mr. Fernandez closed by saying, “In the face of this current crisis, Catholic Charities of the East Bay will continue to follow Pope Francis’ lead of providing hope and healing to those seeking freedom. As an agency, we will continue to stand firm to serve the poor, marginalized, and the vulnerable. We ask that you keep the people of France in your prayers and to join us in prayer for peace and safety in our homes, communities, and world.”About Catholic Charities of the East Bay: Catholic Charities of the East Bay (CCEB) is a social services agency headquartered in Oakland, California. In the last fiscal year, Catholic Charities served over 8,000 clients in three primary programs: "Welcoming the Stranger" offers legal immigration, refugee resettlement and refugee employment services. "Fostering Self-Sufficiency" provides services designed to strengthen families and increase income to livable wages. "Healing Trauma" delivers immediate and sustained support to victims of crime, especially those impacted by community, domestic, and family violence, as well as mental health treatment to students and adolescents experiencing multiple, ongoing incidences of trauma. For more information, visit www.cceb.org.# # #Media Contact: Eric L. Steckel, Communications Manager• Office: 510-768-3147 • Mobile: 415-713-2220 • E-mail: [email protected]

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PRESS RELEASE

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Media Contact: Eric L. Steckel, Communications Manager 510-768-3147

[email protected]

Catholic Charities of the East Bay CEO Chuck Fernandez Commits to Helping Syrian Refugees

East Bay provider of refugee resettlement services urges community to stand in solidarity with Syrian refugees and other victims of terrorist organizations.

OAKLAND, Calif. – November 19, 2015 – In the wake of the tragic events in Paris on November

13, 2015, Catholic Charities of the East Bay Chief Executive Officer Chuck Fernandez has

issued a statement on behalf of the agency’s refugee resettlement program. The agency, which

has provided resettlement services in the East Bay for over 35 years, is committed to providing

for the safety of all refugees referred to it from the U.S. State Department, including those

fleeing civil war in Syria.

The attacks in Paris have led to passionate discussion regarding the acceptance of Syrian

refugees to the United States. “We wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of

the victims of the attacks. We also express our condolences to the French people and others

traumatized by this violence,” said Mr. Fernandez. “We want to take this opportunity to reinforce

our unwavering commitment to ‘Welcoming the Stranger’ and to the safety of our community.

These are not mutually exclusive and the United States can continue to welcome refugees while

steadfastly maintaining our own security.”

“We urge our community to avoid the impulse to blame all refugees for the actions of

terrorist organizations,” he continued. “They, too, are victims of violence and persecution and

seek a place of safety and freedom. Instead, we urge our community to stand in solidarity with

the hundreds of thousands of Syrians and others displaced by the violence in their homeland”

Refugees are referred to Catholic Charities by the U.S. State Department after extensive

security checks and background screenings. “Refugees go through multiple layers of interviews

and security checks making them the most thoroughly vetted group of people who come to the

United States.,” explained Mr. Fernandez.

Pope Francis’ comments before the U.S. Congress brought this to the attention of all

Americans. “Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second

World War…To respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal. We need to avoid

a common temptation nowadays: to discard whatever proves troublesome. Let us remember the

Golden Rule: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’”

Mr. Fernandez closed by saying, “In the face of this current crisis, Catholic Charities of the

East Bay will continue to follow Pope Francis’ lead of providing hope and healing to those

seeking freedom. As an agency, we will continue to stand firm to serve the poor, marginalized,

and the vulnerable. We ask that you keep the people of France in your prayers and to join us in

prayer for peace and safety in our homes, communities, and world.”

About Catholic Charities of the East Bay: Catholic Charities of the East Bay (CCEB) is a social services agency headquartered in Oakland, California. In the last fiscal year, Catholic Charities served over 8,000 clients in three primary programs: "Welcoming the Stranger" offers legal immigration, refugee resettlement and refugee employment services. "Fostering Self-Sufficiency" provides services designed to strengthen families and increase income to livable wages. "Healing Trauma" delivers immediate and sustained support to victims of crime, especially those impacted by community, domestic, and family violence, as well as mental health treatment to students and adolescents experiencing multiple, ongoing incidences of trauma. For more information, visit www.cceb.org.

# # #

Media Contact: Eric L. Steckel, Communications Manager• Office: 510-768-3147

• Mobile: 415-713-2220 • E-mail: [email protected]