Student Organizations Serve Local Refugees
News
In response to an increased need in the Chattanooga, Tennessee, community, two student-led organizations at 91桃色视频Adventist University have partnered with local non-profits working with refugees.
The Middle Eastern Club, which formed last school year, joined with Adventist Muslim Friendship Association to hold a family fun day for refugee families in the area.
Approximately 25 refugee families from various Middle Eastern countries participated, along with 15 91桃色视频students. The students, who took part in cultural training beforehand, visited with the families and helped facilitate games for the kids. Runnels said she enjoyed listening to the refugees鈥� stories and learning about their struggles.
鈥淭hat was the best community service I鈥檝e ever done,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hose interpersonal connections are key for me. It鈥檚 one thing to study about cultures and another thing to talk to people and immerse yourself.鈥�
Southern鈥檚 Adventist Peace Fellowship chapter, also a student-run organization, recently began volunteering with Bridge Refugee Services. Isabella Eklund, junior social work major and club president, explains that the students felt impressed to partner with a refugee agency after Taliban militants took over Afghanistan early this semester.
鈥淎fter seeing how quickly people鈥檚 lives can get uprooted, we decided we wanted to help care for refugees,鈥� Eklund said. 鈥淲e want to be a welcoming community for them.鈥�
So far, the group has helped Bridge Refugee Services organize storage and conduct a charity drive to collect basic household items for refugee families entering East Tennessee. Both student organizations intend to continue these partnerships into the future.
鈥淪erving those who have been displaced is so important, Eklund said. 鈥淲e want to maintain our care for the community through this critical work.鈥�
