For immediate release

Jesuit Refugee Service/USA Appoints National Director Longtime Staffer Named to Head U.S. Operations for Worldwide Refugee Aid Organization (Washington, D.C.) May 29, 2013 The Jesuit Refugee Service /USA Board of Directors announced today that longtime staff member Armando Borja has been named National Director of the organization, effective immediately. Since its founding in 1980, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of displaced people around the world. Its work in the United States includes chaplaincies for immigration detainees, advocacy on worldwide refugee issues, and financial support for international projects. Borja, who began his career with JRS in 2001, has been the organizations interim national director since last fall. He served previously as JRS/USAs director for management and programs, human resources and financial management and in the communications and development departments. During his long tenure with JRS, Armando Borja has been an extremely effective leader and a tireless champion for millions of refugees determined to build a better future for their families, said Richard Kelly, chair of the JRS/USA Board of Directors. As Armando takes the helm of JRS/USA, we are confident that this vitally important Jesuit ministry is in very capable hands. JRS is the primary refugee outreach ministry of the Society of Jesus, the largest order of priests and brothers in the Catholic Church. The organization works in more than 50 countries worldwide to meet the educational, health, social and other needs of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. JRS services are made available to refugees and displaced persons regardless of their race, ethnic origin, or religious beliefs. Borja received his undergraduate degree in Urban Studies and Information Science from Fordham University and earned a masters degree in Organizational Management and Environmental Politics from The George Washington University. He was awarded a second masters degree from the University of Virginia (Falls Church) in International Development. JRS/USA collaborates with the organizations 10 international regions on advocacy, programming, fundraising, communications, strategic planning, policy development and volunteer recruitment. In addition, JRS/USA represents the international organization at the United Nations, the U.S. Department of State and other governmental and non-governmental organizations in the United States. For more information on Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, please visit www.jrsusa.org.
Contact: Christian Fuchs cfuchs@jesuit.org 202.629.5946

To Accompany, Serve and Advocate for the Rights of Refugees and Forcibly Displaced Persons
1016 16th Street, NW Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20036 Phone 202.462.0400 Fax 202.462.7008 www.jrsusa.org