Your expertise in refugee support stems from lived experience. What do you think this perspective will add to community conversations?

We, refugee support teams, do the job. We do a lot of things on the ground, and we know how resettlement affects life. I have my own personal experience as well. So, when I work with other refugees, I channel my own experiences. When I came to the U.S., I got a job as a case manager. I already knew what it was like for the people I was assigned to work with. I knew what the process was like, what the requirements were, all of that.

The first thing to know about new arrivals* is that they only receive support for 90 days. As a case manager, you need to organize everything related to the case, that is, prepare everything for the family for when they get to the U.S. That includes picking them up at the airport, getting to know them, bring them home, giving them a tour of their new home and training them on household appliances, and many other steps. They receive a little bit of cash to help them as they transition, and then after 24 hours, you return to them. We make sure they’re doing well, find out what else they need, and what other questions they may have.

Can you describe a little bit more about what an R&P Manager did when resettlement programs were active?

I would describe my previous position as centering. You are the one who is really directing what to do. You prepare employment opportunities; you take your clients to the hospital, to the doctor. But it’s also so much more. It’s enrollment of the kids at school, taking them to meetings, and helping them with other enrollment applications like Medicaid and social security. It’s a really stressful job because someone’s life is in your hands. I worked a lot to ensure they felt settled.

What helped you stay motivated during those long hours of hard work?

Previously, I was a teacher. So, when I transitioned to refugee support, I thought “this is my real career.” I love teaching people, especially by using short stories and my personal stories. I love interacting with people rather than working behind a desk.

What is a story that has stuck with you in your work?

I have helped so many families and I love all my clients, so I can’t say one story stands out more than others. One thing I will say is that I understand human nature, so sometimes people may come to me, and they may not be in the best moods because they’re having a bad day or they’ve encountered a lot of challenges that day. When that is the case, I take a step back and think ‘What does this person need?’ before I make a judgement.

To wrap things up, what would you say is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is teaching people. I love teaching people because I believe by teaching people, I can help them to be successful, toward change. The one thing I’ll always believe in is education, even for myself! I’m never going to stop learning! Education is the one thing because most of the refugee families, when they come here, struggle. There is a language barrier, culture shock. To bring them into our communities, they need to learn American culture, be successful in their jobs, be able to check on their kids at school, and show the teachers they can contribute as parents.

I like teaching because I just want to give more. I’ve developed programming here in which I can continue teaching and sharing my knowledge with others. If I have time to teach people, that means I have time to tell them the truth.