5 Stages of a Refugee: CSM to host simulation on April 11
OMAHA, NEB. – College of Saint Mary will host “The Five Stages of a Refugee’s Journey” simulation next month, taking participants on a first-hand, interactive experience focused on the many challenges refugees face – from fleeing the country to surviving life in a refugee camp. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 11, starting at 3:45 p.m. in Hixson Lied Commons.
Tours last about an hour with four timeslots to choose from: 3:45, 4:15, 5:00, and 5:30. Each ‘stage’ will have a refugee volunteer from Lutheran Family Services share their story.
“It’s a powerful and impactful simulation that will have lasting effects for those who participate,” said Kristofer Czerwiec, director of student leadership and organizations. “We feel it’s important for our students and the local community to have experiences like these, from a unique point of view that they might not have had before.”
College of Saint Mary Campus Life has partnered with Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska to put on this event. According to their website, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska welcomes over 500 refugees to Nebraska each year.
There will be a Refugee Resource Fair held in Warde Conference Center, where each tour ends, from 4-7 p.m. that day. Visitors can browse through important information and learn about volunteering opportunities from local organizations such as Benson-Area Refugee Taskforce, Intercultural Senior Center, Refugee Empowerment Center, and more.
Spots are limited, so register early at CSM.edu/refugee. For questions or additional information, contact Kristofer Czerwiec at kczerwiec [at] csm.edu.
