Jessica Crowell volunteered with IRIS last summer, and has shared his experiences with FLY. IRIS (Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services) is one of FLY’s three main community partners. The mission of IRIS is to help refugees and other displaced people establish new lives, regain hope, and contribute to the vitality of Connecticut’s communities. Learn more about IRIS or find out how to volunteer here!
Volunteering with refugees has been one of the most humbling and influential experiences of my life. I was initially drawn to this work because of my interest in cultural studies, specifically in the Middle East, but eventually developed a passion for serving all refugees. I have worked with Bhutanese refugees in Tennessee, Ethiopian refugees in Israel, Tibetan refugees in Minnesota and currently an Iraqi refugee family in New Haven. Across the different populations, I noticed trends in their struggles to receive the physical, mental and emotional support that they need. Unless we have done it ourselves, I do not think anyone can truly know what it feels like to be a minority in a new place where you do not know the language, technology, transportation system, healthcare system and social norms on top of dealing with the emotional and mental stress of leaving your home, family members, belongings, and career behind. To cope with this extent of loss and unfamiliarity takes an incredible amount of resilience and, as Americans, we have the opportunity to buffer this stress by offering our time and friendship.
While it is commendable to offer our nation as a place of refuge for physical protection, the United States should also strive to be a cultural refuge. Refugees have already lost their home and are at risk of losing their identity if they are expected to assimilate to American culture. As a nation, we need to create a safe place beyond the physical and not just expect refugees to adapt to our system, but integrate new cultural values and reshape American culture to reflect changes in demographics. As a school who values diversity, we should celebrate and welcome the arrival of cultures that strengthen our local and national community. As they adjust to life in America and engage in the community, their presence promotes diverse thinking, creativity, new ideas and skills, and make us more connected to our increasingly globalized world. As Future Leaders of Yale and beyond, we can make a greater impact by learning from those who come from different backgrounds and one way to do this is by getting involved in one of the many volunteer opportunities at the Integrated Refugee and Immigration Services (IRIS) program.
As a cultural companion at IRIS, I meet weekly with an Iraqi refugee family in hopes of lessening their burdens by teaching English, making dental appointments, showing them how to get to the grocery store, taking them to East Rock Park, bringing them desserts on a religious holiday and many more activities that not only teach them about life in America, but help them to feel welcome physically and culturally. Through these weekly visits, I have grown individually by experiencing the generosity, trust and untamed hospitality of families who welcome strangers into their home. Upon entering the house each week, I am showered with hugs, smiles, water, tea and pastries. I have to be careful with my compliments because they will insist on giving me any ring, bracelet, scarf, mug or other item that I find appealing. As a people with many needs, they live by the statement that it is better to give than to receive. It is incredibly humbling to walk into a house with the intentions of serving a family and then being equally, if not more, served by them. As long as live, I want to continue seeking opportunities to serve refugees, a population I believed to be one of the most deserved underserved.
IRIS is currently seeking FLY volunteers to be Cultural Companions. This works by pairing a FLY member with an IRIS refugee client to regularly meet and help with their transition into their new life in New Haven. The typical relationship begins with the volunteer in the role of an English tutor; the volunteer also serves as a community guide and cultural mentor to help the refugee learn about and explore New Haven and adapt to life in the United States. As a Cultural Companion, you commit to volunteering 3 hours a week for six months. If you are interested, please contact FLY’s Community Outreach liaison, Asia Neupane (asia.neupane@yale.edu).