Afsana Aku of Burma has been in the United States for about two and half years. She's one of several refugees receiving services from Catholic Charities of Buffalo through its Immigration and Refugee Assistance Program.

"Thank you so much, everybody. Yes, my daughter is good. Everything is good. My husband. I have a husband," said Aku.

The program also helps refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eriteria in West Africa and the Ukraine who've legally been in the U.S. for less than five years. It also received two federally-funded state grants totaling nearly $3 million, over five years, to help refugees find jobs and navigate the health care system.

"It's definitely very exciting. So to get these kind of grants really help continue our programs and it really helps fulfill the need of the clients that are trying to become self-sufficient in America," said William Sukaly, Immigration and Refugee Assistance Program director.

Clients go through a two-year review process before they enter the U.S. and are properly documented. Once part of the program, they're assigned a case manager, employment counselor and an immigration and naturalization contact to help apply for citizenship.

"We get to see a family come in, who are dependent on other people for help when they first arrive and they find a job, and they end up becoming self-sufficient. You see their families growing, children getting educated," said Sukaly.

Like Aku, who for the last ten months has been working as a housekeeper for a hotel near the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

"Working is good. My supervisor is good. Nothing problem. I'm too much happy," said Aku.

The program also receives help from International Institute, and Jewish Family Services.