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The Refugee Response has a set of goals geared toward empowering refugees in their communities. These goals are achieved by:

  • Connecting newcomers to Northeast Ohio's available educational, health, and employment resources.
  • Identifying and providing opportunities to learn the English language and life, as well as job and academic skills needed for successful resettlement.
  • Raising awareness of international refugee conditions and the local resettled refugee community, and providing hands-on volunteer opportunities.
  • Offering educational resources and support to refugee camp schools and facilitating interaction between refugee and local students through multimedia.

More About TRR

How did The Refugee Response get started? Who are the people involved that make things happen? Read more about our history and staff to understand how The Refugee Response came to be what it is today.

Dudley Sheffler (1944-2010)

Dudley Sheffler, a member of our Board of Directors and an integral part of The Refugee Response (TRR) family, passed away unexpectedly on February 10, 2010.

Dudley was instrumental in evolving The Refugee Response as well as guiding our local and international initiatives. He had a brilliant career and continued to be involved in the business community. Dudley served on the Advisory Board of several private equity firms in Cleveland, on the Board of Directors of TransDigm Group and as Chairman of the Board of Bluffton Motor Works in Bluffton, Indiana. He also advised and supported numerous non-profit organizations and educational enterprises.

Dudley was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He and his wife of 44 years, Barbara, were an important part of TRR and were active in the resettled refugee community in Cleveland. He was a trusted advisor to us and many others who respected and appreciated his playful, acute sense of humor, his humility and his organizational genius. Dudley’s consistent ability to quickly and accurately evaluate a situation while simultaneously providing support, enthusiastic encouragement and direction will be forever missed.

We are confident Dudley is in a place of endless love, the same love he shared so freely. The Refugee Response is committed to continuing on in his spirit--inspired by his dynamism and wit and guided by his ideals and compassion.