Panelists Robbie Adams of the Boston Center for Refugee Health & Human Rights and Cheryl Hamilton of the International Institute of New England will discuss the diverse needs of immigrants, refugees and torture survivors living in Greater Boston. Learn how refugee resettlement works and how the process has evolved, as well as how residents can contribute to creating welcoming and inclusive communities.
Since 1998, the Boston Center for Refugee Health & Human Rights (BCRHHR) has been responding to the needs of refugees and torture survivors in the Greater Boston area. Situated within Boston Medical Center, BCRHHR embraces BMC’s mission to provide exceptional care without exception and honors the importance of community as a vehicle of healing and recovery. Utilizing an innovative, holistic approach BCRHHR works with survivors of torture and refugee communities from around the world to provide vital care for a healthy body, mind, and soul.
For 100 years, the International Institute of New England has been creating opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed in the United States through resettlement, education, career advancement and pathways to citizenship. Between the organization’s three sites, including Boston and Lowell, MA, and Manchester, NH, IINE serves approximately 2,000 newcomers each year. In the past decade, IINE has resettled nearly 10,000 refugees from countries worldwide.
“My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.” – Fred Rogers
About the panelists:
Robbie Adams is the Project Coordinator at the Boston Center for Refugee Health & Human Rights. She manages volunteer inquires and applications, coordinates events and fundraising activities for the Center and provides general support for all of the BCRHHR’s programs. Robbie earned a BA in Social Thought & Political Economy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and her master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She has studied issues affecting internally displaced persons in Bosnia & Herzegovina and in Southeast Asia as well as volunteering in refugee camps in Greece.
Cheryl Hamilton has devoted her career to advancing refugee protection, immigrant integration and storytelling. She currently serves as Director of Special Projects at the International Institute of New England (IINE). She is also the creator and curator of the popular ‘Suitcase Stories’ series, a program at IINE that honors refugees and immigrants. Previously, she served as Associate Director for External Relations at RefugePoint, National Coordinator for RefugeeWorks, and Director of the New Migration Project at the Center for Preventing Hate. Hamilton also currently directs Massmouth, a Boston-based non-profit that promotes the timeless art of storytelling. A relentless storyteller, Cheryl routinely appears in storytelling productions throughout New England.