RefugeeOne
Melissa Janisch has extensive experience in youth programming and social work, currently serving as the Youth Program Manager at RefugeeOne since March 2012, where previous roles included Senior Coordinator and Activity Coordinator. Prior experience includes a position as a First Grade Afterschool Teacher at Youth Guidance, and serving as Children's Programming Coordinator at the South Bend Center for the Homeless. Educationally, Melissa holds a Master of Social Work specializing in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health from the Erikson Institute and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, Peace Studies, and Poverty Studies from the University of Notre Dame.
RefugeeOne
RefugeeOne creates opportunity for refugees fleeing war, terror, and persecution to build new lives of safety, dignity, and self-reliance. Every year, RefugeeOne serves more than 2,500 refugees and immigrants of all ages, ethnic groups, faiths, and backgrounds. Our primary focus is to assist these resilient individuals in becoming independent community members. As the largest resettlement agency in Chicago, RefugeeOne has welcomed more than 20,000 refugees through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program since 1982. RefugeeOne walks alongside refugees from the moment they land at O'Hare International Airport—welcoming them to Chicago and providing furnished apartments, English classes, job search support, mental health care, youth programming, and mentors to help them adjust to life in the U.S.