Kari Hoggard and Rebekah Thomas

Recorded May 7, 2022 Archived May 7, 2022 36:44 minutes

Id: mby021705

Kari Hoggard (46) interviews colleague Rebekah Thomas (52) about her experiences working in refugee resettlement in Springfield, Missouri.

R and K discuss how R learned about refugee resettlement and came to be involved in the work.

R reflects on growing up in various countries as the child of missionaries.

R and K discuss R's early work in refugee resettlement and their experiences working with the local community organizations to support refugees.

R shares her priorities for the future of the agency and how local and national attention on refugee experience has affected the work.

R and K compare common conversations they have with refugees about what surprises them about the community.

R explains the emphasis she places on integration as opposed to assimilation.

R shares the different ways they support refugees in working through their trauma.

R talks about misconceptions about different immigration processes and statuses available to refugees.

R and K reflect on the origins of the refugee resettlement agency and the migration patterns in the area

R and K share the importance of embracing diversity and their gratitude for the opportunity to work with these refugee communities.