SIV Stories: Starting Anew in the United States
CORE is pleased to announce the release of the first two entries in a series of four videos focusing on the experiences of Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders who have resettled to the United States. The videos are for Afghan and Iraqi SIV applicants coming to the United States who do not routinely have access to pre-departure Cultural Orientation. The first two videos are available now on CORE’s website or click below to view on our YouTube channel.
Qahtan and Leen’s Family: Iraqis who have successfully created a new life for themselves and their two sons after five years in Austin, Texas discuss the importance of employment for both parents, and how they balance work, childcare, school, and being active members of their community.
Jalal had worked as a translator, English and computer instructor, and deputy project manager in Afghanistan; however, he knew that he would have to “start from zero” in the U.S., so he quickly pursued training to work in the insurance industry in order to support his family and build a better life for them.
Video Series Focusing on the Health and Wellness of Congolese Refugees
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has developed a video series, Getting and Staying Well for Congolese Refugees, in collaboration with Congolese health experts, women’s health advocates, and Congolese refugee community organizations. The video series is narrated in Kiswahili, but English subtitles can be activated by clicking on the closed caption (CC) button in the YouTube player.
The video series is comprised of the following:
- Introduction to Healthcare in the U.S. explains the role of healthcare providers, preventive care, and health insurance.
- Your Body Before, During and After Pregnancy is a two-part video that describes the reproductive system, prenatal care, pregnancy, birth, and birth control methods.
- Men Speak: Helping Women Heal is a dramatic skit with two Congolese men talking about the gender-based violence inflicted on their wives before resettlement and moving towards a path of healing.
- Women Speak: Finding Wellness After War is a two-part dramatic skit with Congolese women in a support group talking about the gender-based violence they have experienced and finding strength in each other.
A user’s guide in PDF is also available for download. Access now on our website.
Bhutanese Suicide Prevention Videos
This series of videos by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), features stories of hope from Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees who resettled in the United States after living in refugee camps in Nepal for nearly two decades.
The main video includes a general message of hope and encouragement for Bhutanese refugees who may be experiencing emotional distress. Accompanying the main video are profiles of eight Bhutanese refugees who briefly share ways that they were able to overcome emotional distress and find a new sense of hope and meaning in life.
A user’s guide in PDF is also available for download. Access now on our website.
Note that the audience for this series is post-arrival and should not be utilized in overseas classrooms or contexts.
Emergency Preparedness Booklet from ORR
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has created a new resource – the Emergency Preparedness Booklet. Newly arriving refugees are among the most vulnerable of populations during a disaster in the United States due to language barriers and a lack of exposure to U.S. practices around emergencies. Depending on what region of the world the refugees came from, they may not know about some types of natural disasters, such as tornadoes. This booklet introduces refugees to the types of disasters that occur in the United States as well as what to do during them and how to be prepared. It is available in several languages. Download here.
Coming Soon!
Overseas CO Providers Story Map
CORE hosted its first annual Overseas CO Providers Workshop from May 30 to June 10. Eighteen CO providers, representing each of the nine overseas Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs), traveled with resettling refugees as escorts from their RSC locations all the way to the refugees’ final destinations. They also visited additional resettlement agency sites while in the U.S. and kept a journal of their experiences. Their journals have been turned into an interactive story map that will be online soon. Stay tuned for more!
