World Refugee Day: Safety through Service
EMBARC Director Abigail Sui works with a Burma refugee client in the Franklin Ave. Access Center.
World Refugee Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of the refugee community. Their courage and contributions are a reminder of their resilience, and helps the world to build empathy towards their experiences. Through EMBARC’s refugee staff and volunteers, the organization strives to make every refugee and immigrant feel safe in their new homes.
“A safe home to me is somewhere that you can be yourself without violence or discrimination,” said Lal Muani, Lead Parent Navigator at EMBARC.
Muani arrived in the United States as a refugee from Burma in 2012 with her husband and son. She experienced firsthand a number of challenges that refugees fleeing their home country face as they settle in the U.S. – ranging from experiencing new cultural barriers, securing housing and work, and raising children in a brand-new environment.
People from Burma are “living in fear” most of the time, so when adjusting to life in the United States, they usually have a hard time trusting people, Muani said.
“Asking for help is one of their difficulties,” she said.
CRISIS AND ADVOCACY
Promoting a safe environment is EMBARC’s first priority, said Dim Muan Kim, Crisis and Advocacy Navigator at EMBARC. Crisis and Advocacy Services include community-based crisis interventions, comprehensive services, and peer-to-peer learning. The program focuses on the refugee and immigrant population facing domestic violence, homelessness, or are involved in the legal system. Because EMBARC does not have lawyers, Crisis and Advocacy Navigators help clients connect with expert partner agencies such as Iowa Legal Aid.
Clients in crisis often need help navigating multiple systems in the U.S. before they reach stability in their life. In one case, Kim’s client needed housing, employment and legal assistance at once. Kim used EMBARC’s connections with Anawim Housing to secure temporary shelter for the client. With assistance from Kim and Nolan Wright, Education and Workforce Coordinator at EMBARC, the client is interviewing for jobs. With Kim’s help, the client is navigating court fees, and obtaining a new ID, Social Security card and permanent resident card.
“Every detail, we have to do for our client,” Kim said.
EMBARC is developing programs to help Crisis and Advocacy clients create a personal safety plan and learn techniques in stress management, coping with trauma and finding the resources they need, Kim said. Kim’s hope is that Crisis and Advocacy Services can help educate the refugee community in Iowa.
“If we can share the knowledge, it's going to help them,” Kim said.
THE ACCESS CENTER
EMBARC’s Access Center opened its doors in 2016, and has been a safe haven for clients to come and receive direct service. Resource navigation is still a huge barrier for the community, but EMBARC staff and volunteers have been able to help ease that struggle for clients each week.
“That really basic navigation and the access to those resources is frequently what prevents people from succeeding and empowering themselves in the rest of their lives,” said Moriah Morgan, Impact and Evaluation Manager and interim Access Center Lead.
Khaing San, a contracted interpreter with EMBARC, has been in the United States with her family for almost 10 years. She has only been serving in the Access Center for a couple months, but has been interpreting for Burmese- and Rakhine-speaking community members for years.
When people within her community receive mail they do not understand, they often come to her or turn to neighbors looking for help. The Access Center has been a huge help to the refugees and immigrants in her community, San said.
“They came to my house for help and instead of doing that, going from house-to-house for help, they can come here now,” San said. “I think it’s really great what EMBARC is doing here.”
EMBARC Navigators like San are key to the program’s success, Morgan said.
“Because the Navigators are trusted members of the community, [clients] do feel safer accessing that support,” Morgan said.
EMBARC often serves as an intermediary communicating with systems such as housing, employment and healthcare. Navigators frequently encounter clients without heating or air conditioning in their homes during extreme weather, and have sent letters reminding landlords of their legal obligation to ensure apartments are safe. Navigating potentially dangerous situations like this can help ensure clients are safe in their homes.
There are some services that the Access Center is unable to provide, such as legal advice. However the staff directs clients to someone who can help them, and help foster that connection as best as they can. This creates more trust with the community and in turn promotes their safety. Clients can trust that the services provided are done well and done with the intention of keeping them safe.
Seeking safety is just the beginning. Every refugee and immigrant deserves opportunities to thrive, and most importantly, heal. EMBARC strives to make sure every client feels empowered by understanding their challenges, ensuring their safety, and helping them realize their potential.
Story by Taylor Thomas, RISE AmeriCorps Member