Idaho Conference on Refugees: Belonging Begins with Us
When you’re part of a virtual organization like ours sprinkled throughout parts of the U.S., UK, EU, Africa and South America, it can be challenging to feel a sense of connection and camaraderie with other TSOS teammates and even more difficult to measure the impact of the work you are doing. So last week when three of us--Brandi from Washington D.C., Sherianne from Montana, and Robin from Arizona--were able to meet in person at the Idaho Conference of Refugees, we were almost giddy! Added to that, we each felt such a deep sense of satisfaction to be able to share stories from our Global Refugee Archive Mental Health collection to a packed house of like-minded individuals who strongly affirmed our message and mission.
Idaho has strong engagement from many organizations who are supporting refugee newcomers to successfully integrate. During this two-day event, we made connections with and learned from community partners like: Idaho Office For Refugees, One Refugee, International Rescue Committee of Idaho, Jannus Economic Opportunity, Global Talent,Idaho Commission On The Arts, College of Southern Idaho, and others.
We plan to incorporate the things we learned and expand our storytelling opportunities in the Idaho region. Special thanks to the Idaho Office of Refugees for inviting TSOS to help create communities of welcome and belonging for all who have been displaced.
If you have a story you would like to contribute to the Global Refugee Archive or to discuss a special collaborative project contact us.
Idaho One Refugee Conference
Last fall I was able to attend the 1Refugee Conference in Idaho. The event was well organized and everyone who approached our table was interested in what we did and wanted to know how to get involved. There were at least 100 students majoring in a variety of things who attended the event and we had 20 students give us their contact information. Most were interested in our internship programs.
Voice Your Support for Afghan Adjustment
The Afghan Adjustment (AA) has been reintroduced in both the House (H.R.4627) and the Senate (S.2327) of the United States by a bipartisan group of legislators. We invite you to join us in honoring our promise to our Afghan allies by urging your representatives to pass the Afghan Adjustment!
Invisible Barriers to Belonging: Their Story is Our Story Presents at the 2023 Idaho Conference on Refugees
Their Story is Our Story (TSOS) was pleased to present at the 2023 Idaho Conference on Refugees held at Boise State University on February 22-23. In alignment with the conference theme Creating Connections, our TSOS team addressed three significant invisible barriers that we consistently encounter in our work and invited audience members to think about how local community members might leverage their inter- and intra- connections to help Forcibly Displaced Persons overcome invisible barriers so they might achieve an equal footing in society.