Announcement
Bhutanese women come together to knit and socialize.
Photo: IRC/Cameron Karsten
Refugee journeys are often characterized by trauma. Women and girls, in particular, face unique risks when fleeing their home countries, during displacement, and while resettling in a new country. For example, displaced girls have fewer educational opportunities compared to boys, and women in conflict zones experience high rates of gender-based violence. After coming to the relative safety of the U.S., the challenges of a refugee’s journey are not over. The stress of navigating a new culture, language, and community, feelings of loss associated with leaving loved ones, homes, and careers behind, and the pressure to quickly become self-sufficient can lead to new trauma and compound the effects of past trauma.
But trauma does not the necessarily define a refugee’s journey. Survival, strength, and resilience are central to many refugees’ experiences. The IRC in Seattle’s new Gender Equity & Family Wellness program helps newcomers identify and utilize those strengths to cope with and overcome crises they face in their new home. Through research and input from past clients, the IRC determined more needs to be done to address the psychological, social, and emotional needs of newcomers, especially women and girls and individuals who identify as LGBTQ. Through additional screenings for mental health issues, family-based violence, past trauma, and other related issues, the Gender Equity & Family Wellness program links clients to resources that might not otherwise be readily accessible.
Gender Equity & Family Wellness is a unique, collaborative effort involving several IRC programs – case management, economic empowerment, immigration & legal rights, health & wellness, youth & education, and more. The program provides a safe, confidential outlet for IRC clients, ensuring they have the resources they need for long-term security. Program Coordinator Eaden Andu holds master’s degrees in social work and public health and brings a unique approach to her work: “As a previous refugee in Yemen and immigrant in the U.S., I’m personally familiar with the journey many of our clients have faced who’ve experienced displacement and emerging stressors.”
While many existing services for newcomers have strict time limits, the Gender Equity & Family Wellness program offers greater flexibility in supporting clients for as long as they need. This allows the IRC to be more responsive to the needs of newcomer women and families, whatever those needs may be and whenever they may occur. The program also seeks to address concerns identified by the participants themselves. This client-centered, trauma-informed approach is critical to supporting the long-term stability and wellness of refugee families.
As a caseworker, Sarah Conklin is often the first point of contact for new arrivals and helps identify potential issues that could be addressed through the Gender Equity & Family Wellness program. Conklin’s favorite part of working for the IRC is “being able to support families and individuals during the resettlement process, which really sets the foundation for their independence here.”
New Gender Equity & Family Wellness initiatives are already underway, with much more on the horizon. Conklin and Andu recently facilitated the first series of cultural orientation classes designed specifically for women. At these classes, women come together to learn about a variety of topics like healthcare, public benefits, employment, and educational opportunities. Andu is also starting support groups for women where they can meet other women in their community and discuss issues pertaining to their needs and their families’ needs in a safe environment. Among other efforts, the program is also actively supporting children who are experiencing bullying or behavioral issues in the classroom by building partnerships between schools, youth programs, the community, and mental health agencies to establish a pipeline of support.
As the program develops, the IRC’s vision is to ensure gender-related barriers to services, such as access to childcare and language support, are fully addressed and for all women and families to have access to culturally-responsive services. This also includes expanding awareness and skillsets among staff and providing increased support to LGBTQ refugees and immigrants. Andu is “excited that the IRC is focusing on gender equity and supporting initiatives to make sure our programs are equitable in terms of access and delivery to all who need it.”