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JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri (CCCNMO) has announced that as of December 1,^, 2020, Samantha “Sam” Moog will serve as their new Director of Refugee Resettlement. Lorna Tran, who directed both the refugee resettlement program and the immigration services program for the non-profit for the last 13 years, will transition to the full time role of Director of Immigration Services.

Many people throughout Mid-Missouri are familiar with the work of Refugee & Immigration Services (RIS), which has provided a safe and hopeful refuge for those forced to flee their homelands for 45 years. Originally housed under the Diocese of Jefferson City, RIS became a part of Catholic Charities in 2011. “Lorna has grown RIS exponentially over her 40 years of work at the organization, and with the last 13 years as director. Her dedication to help those who have fled war, religious or political persecution has been life-changing to those who walk through RIS’ doors and this division of programs will ensure that we maintain the highest bar of excellence in care for our clients that we have set for ourselves”, continued Dan Lester.

Ms. Moog comes to Catholic Charities with a Bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College in International and Global Studies and a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago in Social Service Administration with a focus in International Social Welfare, as well as holds a Graduate Certificate from the University of Missouri Truman School of Public Affairs in Grantsmanship. “I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with several years of direct practice and clinical experience in case management, individual and group therapy, family and youth assessment, and crisis intervention with vulnerable populations,” said Ms. Moog.

“I look forward to serving in my new role as Director of Refugee Resettlement, and continuing the critical work that Lorna and the incredible staff have accomplished over the years, which include resettling over 4,000 refugees. As the only agency in Mid-Missouri that partners with the federal government to welcome refugees to our community, I am humbled to be a part of Catholic Charities, an organization that has a long history of welcoming refugees and has contributed to flourishing immigrant community,” continued Ms. Moog.

There will also be two new Associate Directors within Refugee Resettlement, Senad Music and Grace Wildenhaus, both of whom have also been with RIS for 21 years and 3 years respectively. Ms. Tran exclaimed, “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am knowing the program will be in such good hands! While I am moving out of the resettlement field, I very much look forward to continuing to engage with the Refugee Resettlement Program through my work in the Immigration Services Program.”

Mr. Lester continued, “We are glad to have Sam and Lorna transition in their new roles to best assist in our work to provide compassionate care for those most vulnerable in our region.” Those interested in joining Catholic Charities’ refugee and immigration efforts may donate at cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/give or during the month of December, give towards their CoMoGives fundraiser campaign at comogives.com/catholic-charities-refugee-and-immigration-services/.

Download the full press release here: Catholic Charities announces expansion in Refugee and Immigration Services