Bands for Refugees - Success!
Written by Megan Carson
We'll have more details coming soon of how our Bands for Refugees Event went tonight, but for now we simply want to send out a huge
THANK YOU!!!!
Thank you to all who volunteered time, talents, and gifts! And, to everyone who attended, thank you for the gift of your presence! Those who are refugees among us (in person and online) see your presence and it sends them a message that there are people who care! Keep showing up! Keep speaking out!
Please accept our humble thanks for joining your voices with ours and with our refugee friends! We need all who are willing to continue to raise their voices, echoing the truths about refugees. The world needs to hear their truth and your voice can be a voice of truth, of compassion, of change.
**NOTE: If you have photos from tonight, please share them with us! #BandsForRefugees
**AND, if there's anything about the event that you'd like to share with us, we'd LOVE to hear how you were affected by this event! Send us a message through FB Messenger or through our website: https://tsosrefugees.org/conta...
Bands for Refugees
Slam the Islamophobia
The Emerald Project is a Utah-based organization that carefully designs dialogues to engage with non-Muslims to make Salt Lake Valley a more welcoming home to Muslims. As many of our refugee friends belong to the Muslim faith, we applaud opportunities that foster understanding and were pleased to support The Emerald Project’s 3rd annual “Slam the Islamophobia” event on February 15th.
Invisible Barriers and Battles: The Mental Health Impact on Refugees
Refugees often risk their lives crossing deserts, jungles, and oceans all in the search for shelter, freedom, or happiness. Yet, even once they’ve reached physical safety, mental mountains emerge that make daily life an uphill climb. At the November 2022 conference for the Utah Chapter of the Society for Public Health Education (USOPHE), presenters Shurooq Al Jewari and Sasha Sloan discussed mental health and inclusion, focusing on immigrants and refugees.
Reclaiming Lost Traditions
Holidays are an important time to include newcomers. Newcomers are often aching for the traditions and holiday magic they knew at home - and the connections with family and friends. The Garcias* came from a strong family and community that knew generous and giving holiday traditions. I knew, when I met our new friends from Venezuela, the rich bond we would have; this was a kindred spirit family. Even though we have been bad at communicating (Google Translate is such a false hope), it was easy to find connections that helped us love each other.