Refugee/Immigrant Advocacy and Support
The Center for Hope and Healing, Inc. in Lowell, MA enhanced community-based education and advocacy efforts and services for refugee, immigrants and other people of color impacted by sexual violence. The project focused on engaging community leaders in Latino, Portuguese-speaking and African communities, meeting survivors where they are by using culturally-competent approaches to train and educate. The project used community dialogues, film screenings, community gatherings and small group conversation to broach the subject of sexual violence within the context of the immigration experience.
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Communities
Adults Communities of color Immigrant/Refugee Men Survivors Women -
Products
Resource: Dialogue questions for film screening (Proprietary) Contact CHH
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System
Advocacy/rape crisis Therapeutic/mental health -
Level
Local -
Asset PDF
Strategies
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Enhance Partnerships
CHH partnered with the International Institute of Lowell, a refugee resettlement agency as well as Coalition for a Better Acre, Annual African American Outing Committee, Refugee-Immigrant Coalition, African Community Center, Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, and theTeen Violence Prevention Coalition.
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Learning Circles
CHH joined the newly formed New Refugee & Immigrant Coalition.
CHH presented to the Latino Association of Lowell on sexual violence, services, resources and volunteer opportunities, as well the Violence Prevention Coalition, New Refugee Coalition Meeting, 4th Annual Take Back The Day, Refugee Coalition Meeting, as well as Victim Rights Law Center.
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Provide Resources
CHH supported 15 survivors.
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Educate & Train
CHH hosted and presented a workshop on immigrant/refugee women during Lowell Women's Week. CHH conducted training to 15 staff members of the International Institute of Lowell and also participated in cultural events locally presenting information about sexual violence and taboos using films (Rain in a Dry Land and Monkey Dance).
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Raise Awareness
CHH participated in a significant number of community events such as: International Institute of Lowell and Coalition for a Better Acre (film screening); Annual African American Outing Committee, CHH Family Festival, Film Showing: A History of Latinos in America, Lowell Community Health Center Resource Fair, citywide luncheon on The Refugee Journey, Lowell Transgender Day of Remembrance, Community Mixer breakfast, Hosted a coffee conversation on our services and bystander intervention in partnership with local Cafe owned by Venezuelan immigrant family, Hosted a coffee conversation at Oasis Brazilian Grill, New Refugee Coalition Meeting, Film showing of “Monkey Dance”, Repeat showing of “Rain in a Dry Land”, African Festival, Lowell Gay PRIDE, 5 shows in Khmer/English which reached over 10,000 households.