1. JVS: Creating a Cultural Bridge Jewish Vocational Service Cathy Anderson, Manager of JVS Language and Cultural Services Dorothée Werner, JVS volunteer and interpreter 1608 Baltimore Ave. Kansas City, MO 64108 canders@jvskc.org 2011 Copyright JVS

2. JVS zJewish Vocational Service zHistory: established in 1949 to resettle Holocaust survivors and other refugees. JVS is the refugee resettlement organization for Kansas City, MO. zMISSION: JVS strengthens the well-being of individuals, families and the community by promoting successful social, cultural and economic integration.

3. JVS Newcomer Services zRefugee Resettlement zRefugee Social Integration zRefugee Employment Services zImmigration Counseling zLanguage and Cultural Services

4. Immigrants, refugees, secondary migrants, Limited-English Proficient - LEP zLatino/Hispanic zCuban refugees zSomali zSomali/Bantu zSudanese zBurundi zIraqi zBurmese (many groups) z Iranian z Afghani z Indian z Vietnamese z Bosnian z Russian z Eritrean z Bhutanese

6. Burmese Refugee Burmese Culture

7. JVS Refugee Resettlement zFY 2010: 468 zSomali 23% zIraqi 20% zBurmese 33% zBurundi 4% zAfghan (2 people) zEritrean 1% zSudanese 2% zMauritanian 1% zCongo 2% zCentral African Republic (2 people)

8. Culture Makes a Difference zCollectivism vs. Individualism zEvent Time vs. Agenda Time zHi-context vs. Lo-Context zDirect Eye-contact vs. Limited Eye-contact zSpatial proxemics: do not touch top of head (Buddhist); avoid use of finger gestures; females do not shake hands with males (Somali/Muslim).

9. Refugees and Immigrants

10. Who is an Immigrant? zA foreign-born person admitted to reside permanently in the US is a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). Status is achieved through: zFamily-sponsored immigration. zEmployment-based immigration. zDiversity visa lottery.

11. Who is a Refugee? zA refugee is a person outside the US who seeks protection on the grounds that he or she fears persecution in his or her homeland. To obtain refugee status, a person must prove that he or she has a “well-founded fear of persecution” on the basis of the person’s race, religion, membership in a social group, political opinion or national origin.

12. Refugee Status zUS Department of State designates which countries refugees will be accepted from. zRefugee must fit into priority category. zPerson screened by UNHCR to determine if qualified under international law. zIf qualified, screened by US embassy in host country.

13. Refugee Health Check zThe International Office of Migration conducts health check prior to approval by UNHCR. zMalaria, TB, HIV, other infectious diseases. zScreens for physical disabilities, dental concerns, gender-related conditions, and immunization status. zI

14. Refugees, con’t. zRequired to repay voluntary organization loan for flight travel. zRefugees can become Lawful Permanent Residents one year after resettlement. zProvided 8 months of Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medical Assistance.

16. Refugees and Secondary Migrants zApproximately 12,500 newcomers live in the Metropolitan Kansas City area.

17. JVS Interpreter Services zOver 2,000 interpreting/translating sessions. zAt least 30 languages, concentration on 8 widely-spoken. zServes hospitals, social services agencies, schools, courts, non-profits. zTraining in Bridging the Gap, advanced training. Cultural competency training offered.

18. Special Considerations Books to read: The Middle of Everywhere by Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia. Pipher, a psychologist, describes the experience of refugee assimilation in her Nebraska hometown of Lincoln. The Geography of Thought by Richard Nisbett. This book explores how Asians and Westerners think very differently.

19. Cultural Competency To be culturally competent doesn’t mean you are an authority in the values and beliefs of every culture. What it means is that you hold a deep respect for cultural differences and are eager to learn, and are willing to accept, that there are many ways of viewing the world. - Okokon O. Udo, BD, PhD, CPCC, Ordained Prebysterian Minister --From Cross Cultural Health Care Program

20. Contact us! Jewish Vocational Service Language and Cultural Services 1608 Baltimore Kansas City, MO 64108 (816) 471 - 2808 www.jvskc.org