By Irvic Malave Torres, Refugee Support Services Case Manager
Integrating into a new community comes with ups and downs, unexpected obstacles, and, for many refugees, an unexpected sense of loneliness. Resettlement can mean mourning more than a birthplace. It can mean missing familiar foods, conversations in your native language, cultural traditions, and the friends and family who once made life feel like home. While families may begin to feel more settled after a few years, the journey toward belonging can still be filled with stress, uncertainty, and isolation.
In 2025, Catholic Charities’ Refugee Support Services in South Bend launched Café Entre Amigos, a monthly gathering for our Latino refugee clients. What began as an opportunity to practice English over a cup of coffee has grown into something much more: a place to connect, relax, laugh, and feel at home.
As we planned the gatherings, we recognized that our clients needed more than opportunities to practice English. They needed space for emotional support, friendship, and connection during the often-challenging process of resettlement. With the help of community partners, Café Entre Amigos has become a lively monthly gathering centered on well-being and belonging. Activities have included crafts, educational presentations, Zumba, and even a World Cup watch party—all creating opportunities for participants to practice English while building relationships.
“These simple moments may seem ordinary, but for someone navigating life in a new country, they can mean so much.”
This summer, for example, clients gathered for an afternoon of creating, decorating, and filling piñatas. The group then played several rounds of traditional English Bingo before sharing a delicious dinner prepared by some of the participants. The afternoon ended with cake and a chorus of “Happy Birthday” as everyone celebrated the clients with July birthdays.
These simple moments may seem ordinary, but for someone navigating life in a new country, they can mean so much. Clients have shared that Café Entre Amigos is more than entertainment or an opportunity to practice English. It is a safe place to unwind, set aside the stresses of resettlement, and simply enjoy being with friends.
In the midst of an unfamiliar place, Café Entre Amigos is helping our clients find something that everyone needs: a place to belong.
Read more inspirational stories in our 2026 Impact Report.