This document provides information about refugees and the refugee resettlement process in Lansing, Michigan. It defines a refugee as someone outside their home country with a well-founded fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality or political opinion. In 2010, 648 refugees from over 40 countries were resettled in Lansing. The document also discusses the challenges refugee children may face, including trauma, language barriers, and poverty, as well as the importance of education, support and community partnerships in helping refugees integrate.

1. “The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others." ---Ghandi

2. Who is a Refugee? Someone found outside his/her home country who has a “well founded fear of persecution” because of his/her: Race, religion, nationality, social group membership or political opinion 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

4. Bhutanese

5. Bosnians

6. Burmese

7. Burundians

8. Congolese

9. Croats

10. Cubans

11. Ethiopians

12. Eritreans

13. Hmong

14. Iranians

15. Iraqis

16. Kurds

17. Liberians

18. Meskhetian Turks

19. Somali / Bantu Somali

20. Sudanese

21. Vietnamese

22. Immigrants from all continents of the world

24. Coming To America

25. What children may face Yet another move / life outside a refugee camp Traumas lost parents, hunger, violence, etc School and language pressures Unexpected and unbalanced responsibilities within their families Inverted power structure Poverty in the “Land of Opportunity”

26. By surviving life threatening and dangerous war situations, children may have learned:* 1. The world is NOT a safe place2. Parents and other adults cannot protect you3. You cannot trust anyone4. You are hopeless5. You are powerless6. Violence is a way to resolve conflicts7. Others will respect you if they fear you8. Death can happen at any time9. Tomorrow may never come *Center for Victims of Torture (www.cvt.org)

27. What is the Pathway Out? Education Support & Opportunity

28. It Takes a Community to Welcome Newcomers Partners: Lansing School District 65 countries, 51 languages MSU Peckham Industries Christ Lutheran Church & the Greater Lansing Faith Community Resettlement Agencies Donors, Funders & Friends

29. Doing Our Part: History & Mission What we Offer: ESL Classes Drop in assistance Youth Programming Summer Camp Tutoring School orientations Parent Programming – orientations & groups Advocacy

30. Thank you for joining our cause!