Refugees could help fill ND job gap

A group hoping to grow rural populations in North Dakota by recruiting refugees will meet this Saturday.

The group is called “CATCH” or Communities Acting Together for Change and Hope.

Bill Patrie  is a member of the group. He says the number of refugees in the world is getting close to the number after World War II.   And he says at the same time, rural places need workers.

Patrie says the group decided to work on a more formal structure, to help facilitate refugee settlement in rural North Dakota.  He says there is a growing awareness of the plight of refugees – especially because of Ukraine. “When rural communities step up and organize and say we need workers.  We can teach English as a second language…we can teach how to drive in winter conditions…find housing….it’s a new era.”

The group will meet in Carrington.