Working with Refugees is very rewarding.  Refugees bring both hope for the future and a deep desire to live with peace and justice.  Refugees also bring with them a history of trauma and loss.

The two primary challenges for refugees are acculturation and healing from past trauma.The process of acculturation is a psychological experience layered upon an anthropological one. The psychological impact of a normal acculturation can include lethargy, fear, depression, anger, apathy,  confusion, distorted thinking and other physical symptoms of stress.  Refugees coming to the United States must first face the shock of living in a new place and then work through the deep grief of loss of their former lives.  Refugee loss includes loss of country, culture, language, status, personal identity, traditions, family connections and much more.

Go to the RESOURCES page to get more information on working with Refugees.