A newly-awarded federal and state grant is helping the Catholic Family Center prepare immigrants and refugees for citizenship. The center is one of only two organizations across upstate New York that were awarded this funding.

The grant helps support the center’s partnership with the Rochester City School District, OACES and BOCES. They prepare green card holders seeking citizenship with free English language classes, application forms, preparation for their citizen test and low-cost legal services.

“Sometimes if you don't have anyone to help you, you can get lost in the process because the paperwork itself can be very challenging to understand what’s going on. Even if you speak English, you may not understand all the terminology and what they’re asking so we guide clients through each step,” said Galina Lyzogubenko, Catholic Family Cervices.

The program has helped many people like Mohemed Muse Hassan. He moved to Rochester six years ago and credits the Catholic Family Center for helping him start his life in America, get a job and support his family back in Somalia.

“I want a job, an education, good life. They help me with everything. When I have some problem, I come here and they help me a lot because when I came here, I didn’t understand anything,” said Hassan.

The organization received a $225,000 federal grant in October and recently received an $80,000 state grant that goes into effect in May.

March is open enrollment month. Anyone who is interested should check in with the Catholic Family Center about classes. They also host walk in hours every Monday from 1-3.