Encouragement In Resettlement
Around the world today, people are being forced to flee their homes due to numerous threats of danger. War, political unrest, and human rights violations are all responsible for the ongoing refugee crisis. Men and women, by no choice of their own, are having to pack up their families and everything they know in order to leave their homelands. Their motives in leaving? Survival. This experience can be traumatic for anyone but children are particularly at risk for suffering from the mental effects of forced relocation.
In the Unites States, political differences surrounding the issue often create a polarizing view with a lack of true awareness and empathy. At L.A.C.E.S., we are thankful for the different perspective we gain every day while working with refugee children who have been recently resettled into the U.S. Through our programming, we are able to interact personally with children from all over the world. The children we serve come from nations such as Afghanistan, Iraq, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, and more.
We decided to help…
When we launched our Refugee Program back in 2016, we had no idea what would come of it. Four years in, we have served hundreds of refugee children and have been greatly blessed because of it. Throughout this time, we have observed on a consistent basis that these kids are humble, kind, incredibly intelligent, and thoughtful. By conducting our numerous camps, mentorship curriculum, home visits and more, the impact we are able to have along with the relationships we are building are proving to be tremendously significant.
We love sharing with our donors, partners, and friends about the individual children we get to serve. When considering how much we are inspired by our refugee program participants in particular, Lara comes to mind. Born in Baghdad, Iraq, she and her family were doing well in her earliest days. Her father is a civil engineer and her mother has her doctorate degree in American History with China.
Forced to flee…
However, it wasn’t long into Lara’s childhood when she and her family were forced to flee Iraq, altogether. She shared with us that her family began receiving threats from strangers. We asked Lara what kinds of threats they were receiving and she told us that she was too young to remember. She says that her parents have several stories surrounding the threats but has no recollection of her own.
Lara mentioned that when she arrived in the United States for the first time, she had to have a serious surgery to correct a birth defect in her right leg. This added a lot to the stress to the resettlement process for both her and her family. Thankfully, Lara was able to receive the important medical care that she needed and made a full recovery.
A bright future ahead…
Today, Lara is an active member in the L.A.C.E.S. program. She loves her math classes and hopes to grow up to become a pediatrician one day. When we asked Lara why a pediatrician, she smiled and said that she really loves little kids. We know that her intelligence, enthusiasm towards life, and dedication to everything she’s involved in will make her a fantastic doctor.
Boys and girls like Lara have often experienced so much in their short lives. The global resettlement crisis happening around the world is concerning to say the least and the children involved are most affected. We are thankful that Lara is now growing up in a stable environment here in the United States. Through her involvement with our program, she receives mentorship, a constructive outlet to play, and community.
We need you!
At L.A.C.E.S. we work hard to provide a safe and constructive space for refugee children to come learn life lessons, soccer skills, and engage with their peers. We understand to our core that we are not simply offering a fun experience for these kids or an escape from boredom. Rather, we give them the opportunity to feel seen and welcomed. For many, the resettlement process can be brutal and the harsh affects that lie within the hearts and minds of those who go through it can be even more severe. Our organization is easing this struggle for those in our program and instilling in them the confidence they need to do it well.
We are passionate about our work, but we can’t do it without you! If would like to donate to our programs, click here! Your donation will go towards continuing our work with at-risk children here in the United States as well as those enrolled in our program in Liberia. We cherish every gift and are excited about partnering with you to make an important difference! At L.A.C.E.S., it’s more than a game!