Of the individuals striving to seek refuge in New York State, more than a quarter have chosen to resettle in Buffalo. Buffalo has been a top hub of refugee reestablishment over the past several decades, with a disproportionately high number of foreign-born citizens being refugees as compared to other cities around the nation. Refugees constitute a vulnerable population in health care, as they face numerous barriers that inhibit their ability to access proper care. At the most fundamental level, health requires the meeting of one's basic needs. We feel that adequate shelter is a major predictor of an individual's health, and are passionate about assisting our refugee neighbors in attaining proper shelter. Working with Journey's End Refugee Services, our class will be collecting furniture and housing supplies in order to prepare a home for an incoming refugee family.

Plan of Action:

Our class is collaborating with Journey's End Refugee Services to organize a "Home Again" project. Throughout the month of September, students, faculty, and staff from the Canisius College Physician Assistant Studies Program have been accumulating furniture and household items based upon a list provided by the Journey's End. Upon notice of a family arriving during the month of October, the non-profit organization will match us with a family and we will spend a day preparing their home for arrival with our collected items.

How to get involved:

Furniture, household necessities, cleaning, and care supplies are being accumulated by our class through donations, purchases, and contributing items from our own homes. As our collection process continues, we are in need of the following items (updated daily):

• Lamps

• Cookware

• Waste baskets

• Cleaning supplies (mop, broom, dustpan, wipes, sprays)

• Storage containers

• Laundry basket

We are extremely grateful for all donations. Thank you for helping us, and a refugee family, along our Home Again journey!

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