Session Descriptions
2023 SESSIONS
Keynote
The story of one man's journey immigrating from Madgeburg, Germany in 1938 to South Carolina. Mr. Rosenberg discusses the life and challenges he experienced in settling into a new country, particularly in the American South. He talks about the decisions he made for his life and work after he arrived, what influenced those decisions, and what continues to inspire him.
A: Health Services Panel
Panelists will discuss best practices and challenges when working with immigrants in a medical setting. Panelists will also discuss mental health initiatives for refugees and immigrants as part of a collaboration between the Kentucky Office of Refugees and the Bluegrass Community Health Center.
B: Strategies for Employing English Language Learners
This session will address common barriers to employing English Language Learners and describe practices and technology that can help overcome those barriers.
C: Dual cultural identity in first and second-born generation African children living in the US
This session will describe the results of semi-structured interviews of seven children aged 5-14 , who were campers at a local Lexington Swahili Camp. Attendees will be able to compare the cultural identity of African children resettled in the US to American-born children of African parents, they will understand the impact of culture on child refugees, and consider the importance of programming which strengthens cultural ties through language and community-building.
D: Cultural Orientation for Americans: Understanding our Congolese Neighbors
Attendees will become better acquainted with the different Congolese communities in Lexington through a panel discussion and understand how cultural differences may affect the way we work with these communities.
E: Reflections of Young Immigrants
Kentucky Refugee Ministries Youth Mentoring Leader Welsy Discua will lead a panel of KRM youth clients to share the successes and challenges they have faced since resettling in Central Kentucky.
F: Addressing Challenges in Secondary and Post-Secondary Education for Immigrant & Refugee Students
Attendees will be able to identify and tackle barriers to success faced by immigrant and refugee students in the Kentucky education system.
G: Addressing Global Mental Health Disparities and Challenges
Attendees will better understand how to build an equitable refugee mental health care intervention program that focuses on the national and local systems in place and how they serve vulnerable populations and help address mental health disparities.
H: Transcending Barriers: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Elevating Immigrant and Refugee Communities
In this dynamic session, we will harness the power of behavioral psychology and motivational theory to construct asset-based, culturally responsive frameworks across a diverse array of sectors. Drawing from proven strategies utilized in Fayette County Public Schools, attendees will learn how to adapt these methods to their unique contexts, including non-profits, government agencies, and community spaces. In our focus to foster a profound understanding of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) principles, we'll establish the foundation for strategies that can be replicated to create environments that enable and welcome the contributions of immigrants and refugees. Through interactive activities and collaborative dialogues, participants will exchange innovative ideas and best practices, setting the course to empower and tap into the rich resources of the immigrant and refugee community in Lexington, thereby enhancing the collective strength of our community.
I: Centering Community in Decision-Making
In 2022, the Kentucky Office of Refugees (KOR) launched a statewide survey project of about 300 people who have been resettled in Kentucky. Interviewees were asked to share their level of satisfaction across various life domains, from housing and transportation to mental health and feelings of autonomy. They were also asked to provide qualitative insights about what "self-sufficiency" means to them. KOR was interested in centering the voices and experiences of refugees in Kentucky to understand challenges, bright spots and meaning in their own words, rather than through the lens of the resettlement program itself. KOR has only recently entered into the analysis phase of the project, but aims to use this information to set more responsive program priorities and funding decisions. This data and feedback will be shared with workshop participants so they can glean insights for their own professional context.
J: The Art of Youth Mentoring
Laura Jones and 3 refugee youth will give a presentation discussing the use of the arts in youth mentoring program events and will discuss using mindfulness in mentor pairing and case planning. This session will consist of a presentation centered on coordinating events that address social and emotional wellness, educational and career development, and life skills. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a break-out session activity and will be able to ask real-time questions in a refugee youth and coordinator panel discussion
K: 2023 Immigration Law Updates
Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the legal issues affecting our immigrant and refugee neighbors in today's judicial landscape.
L: Inclusion and Engagement With the Congolese Community
This session will outline culturally appropriate approaches to engaging with the Lexington Congolese community. It will define inclusion from a former refugee's perspective and provide strategies to build authentic relationships with families and partnerships with refugee-led organizations.
M: Recognizing and Responding to Trauma in Immigrant & Refugee Youth
Attendees will be able to identify some behaviors that may manifest in classrooms due to traumatic events experienced by immigrant and refugee students. Attendees will also leave with effective and empathetic strategies for responding to those behaviors.
N: Cultural Orientation for Americans: Understanding our Ukrainian Neighbors
Attendees will become better acquainted with the Ukrainian community in Lexington through a panel discussion and understand how cultural differences may affect the way we work with these communities.
O: Making Kentucky Home Presented by Certified Facilitation Staff from the FCPS Family & Community Engagement Department
This guided, facilitated conversation will develop next steps for our community by discussing how we can all work together to make a safer, healthier and happier home for all of our community members.