EPIC good practices: JRS Portugal adopts a holistic approach when accompanying migrants.
Channel: AEIDL
Date: 2022-04-22

Servico Jesuíta aos Refugiados - JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service) plays a crucial role in the process of migrant population integration in Lisbon. JRS offers a large variety of services that extend from legal assistance to social, vocational, medical and psychological support to the migrant people. The results of JRS’s work can be described through serious dedication, professionalism and empathy that guide the staff members of JRS in their work with migrants. Carlota Muralha of JPS Employment Office summarises her motivation to work for the organisation: “For me the most gratifying part is to witness the empowerment of people, how they develop their skills and capabilities, and how they gradually recover their dignity to become members of our society.”

JRS has managed several collaboration projects such as CLIMB - Local Support Centre for Migrant Integration; Fica Bem Entre Linhas; language learning, vocational and employment fostering activities as well as cultural variety and social network building.
 
In this video, JRS workers testify on the rationale of their projects, the relevance of their work approaches but also the mutual benefits that local people, social workers and newcomers get from these collaborations.