Refugee Advocate Testimonials

“I became a Refugee Advocate to help people new to the US find the community and resources they need. I believe everyone should have the opportunity to live a life of their choosing. I want to help refugee family explore their needs and make them feel at home in their new country.”

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“As a daughter of refugees, whose father was part of the Vietnamese Boat People, I became a Refugee Advocate to be a resource that my parents never had when they first resettled in Massachusetts. With each small step, I hope to contribute to making a positive difference for even just one refugee family in the Greater Worcester area!”

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“I first became engaged with the refugee community when I volunteered at our local resettlement organization in Albany, NY as a civics tutor and art teacher. Working with children, I became more aware of the needs of families arriving in the United States. Now, as a student at Smith College, I value the opportunity to work as a refugee advocate in my new community.”

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“Moving to a new country is an overwhelming process that requires adjusting to a new culture and language, learning new things, and re-learning others. I wanted to be a refugee advocate to guide and comfort refugees and make the process less complicated and stressful. When I moved to the United States, I realized the difference a helping hand can make throughout the process; therefore, I want to bring positive change to the refugees and be someone of assistance and trust every step of the way. Being a refugee advocate allows me to help those who need it by sharing my knowledge and experiences and becoming someone the refugees can trust and rely on.”

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“Everyone deserves to have the resources to succeed, wherever they are in life. It’s an honor to serve forced migrants and refugees with what abilities I have.“

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“ The hardships and even tragedies we have faced in our lives can sometimes prepare us for doing good work in the world. When we understand from the inside out, what loss and suffering feel like, it can give us the insight, the desire, and the drive to do all we can to alleviate the pain of others.

My experience as a refugee child and young woman has made me view the condition of refugees as an emergency. It is impossible to know what their lives are like and how far those lives are from the lives they wish to lead, and not take action. For this reason, I am joining ARISE because I believe that the most effective approaches to refugee assistance are the most targeted, the most focused on particular issues, and the most responsive to the voices of the refugees themselves, and ARISE is all I have been waiting for.”

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“Having lived in a refugee camp for decades and resettled in a new country with a totally new system and culture, I have a lived experience and understanding of the struggles of resettlement. I have fresh memories of the challenges I had gone through during my initial days of resettlement in America. As a Refugee Advocate, I want to help new refugees and immigrants by becoming their hope and consistent support in identifying resources based on their needs.”

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“It is my passion to work and help refugees and asylum seekers. I had been working with them for nearly 9 years before I joined Clark University for my Masters. I know what living in a new country feels like because I felt it many years ago when I moved to Egypt. It could be very challenging when someone moves to a new country without speaking the language or knowing very little about their new community. I strongly feel that helping people overcome these challenges is a very good deed.“

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“The current resettlement process in the United States does not adequately provide refugees and forced migrants with the resources or support to build a fulfilling life. Connecting resettled families with the resources to attain the life that they envision for themselves is important to me.“

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“As a former refugee myself, I have a deep-seated desire to become an advocate for individuals who have been displaced from their homes due to conflict or persecution. My own experiences have instilled within me a strong sense of empathy and a commitment to helping others who are facing similar challenges. I am driven by a personal sense of obligation to give back and make a difference in the lives of refugees, who, like myself, are seeking safety, security, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. I am confident that through my efforts as an advocate, I will be able to effect meaningful change and make a positive impact on the lives of those who are in need“.