By ONIWASU Taiwo AKINLAMI

Introduction

On Saturday, October 14, 2023, in the city of Columbus, Ohio, Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS), a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the refugee and immigrant populations in Central Ohio, partnered with Church World Service (CWS) to hold a program entitled, ‘UNITED FOR CHANGE: Building Collective Solutions to Our Issues.’ The event brought together a diverse group of refugees, immigration, and community leaders in Columbus, along with stakeholders from outside the state.

The primary goal of the program was to identify strategies and solutions to address the challenges faced by immigrants and refugees in the community, aiming to work collectively for concrete improvements in the lives of refugees and immigrants in Ohio.

The organizers stressed that, regardless of how long they have been in the U.S. or their backgrounds, all Ohio families deserve the resources and opportunities needed to thrive.

The program was hosted by Blaise Balazire Baraka., a community organizer with Church World Service (CWS) in Columbus, Ohio, and facilitated by Rodrigue Makelele, a leading organizer for refugees in Virginia working with Church World Service.

Leaders and participants gathered in different groups to identify the issues faced by immigrants and refugees in Ohio, pinpointing at least five thematic issues that require attention: transportation, housing, youth development and drug addiction, language barriers, and discrimination based on being immigrants.

These leaders also worked together to discuss strategic solutions to these issues, identifying long-term, mid-term, and short-term solutions, the required resources in terms of financial and human engagement, and the public officials necessary to advocate for these solutions.

To get insight on the road ahead and understand the call to action from the workshop, we interviewed lead stakeholders and leaders, who played active roles at the workshop.

Nora Hakizimana, a program associate with the Democracy Fund in Washington, D.C., shared her mission during an interview. She mentioned that her organization focuses on supporting groups nationwide that are working to strengthen democracy. Nora explained that the workshop in Ohio aimed at empowering refugees and immigrants to be active participants in the democratic process. For her, the next steps involve translating the strategies discussed into actionable policies and engaging with decision-makers. She highlighted the need for increased funding and resources to support these initiatives. Nora’s motivation for her work stems from her own life as a refugee. She noted that she and her family fled their homeland, endured immense hardships, and arrived in a new country. The challenges she faced growing up in a refugee community inspired her dedication to empowering other refugees.

On her part, Mary Mutegi, a capacity builder of immigrants and a long-standing member of the Community Refugee Immigration Services (CRIS) board, expressed her thoughts on the program. Mary highlighted the importance of the program, especially for immigrants who often face additional challenges. She believed that the event was a promising start and that the next steps involve the implementation of the action plans developed during the workshop. Mary stressed the importance of moving from discussions to taking concrete actions to address the challenges faced by immigrants in the community. Her motivation is rooted in her personal immigrant journey and the realization that immigrants have much to offer to their new home.

Rodrigue Makelele, a leading organizer for refugees in Virginia, who facilitated the program in conjunction with Blaise Balazire Baraka, offered insights into the workshop’s outcomes. He emphasized that the event brought diverse communities together to identify shared issues and potential solutions. Rod’s perspective on the next level of engagement revolves around turning the identified issues into actionable policies. He talked about the importance of identifying champions at the local and state levels who can support these initiatives. Additionally, he stressed the need for continuous engagement with government and allies to drive change effectively, His commitment to the cause is deeply personal, as he is also an immigrant from the Congo. Having faced the challenges of language barriers and bureaucracy, Rodrigue understands the struggles immigrants and refugees encounter in the United States and across the globe.

Sharing his perspectives, Blaise Baraka, who hosted the workshop, explained the goals of his work. Blaise mentioned the importance of engaging law enforcement and building relationships between the immigrant community and the police. He highlighted the need to address challenges through dialogue. When asked about the next steps, Blaise pointed out that ongoing collaboration with various communities and local law enforcement is essential. He emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between immigrant communities and law enforcement and continuing to build relationships and awareness.

Blaise’s passion for this work stems from his personal history as a refugee, who arrived in the USA at 26 through the resettlement program after enduring immense challenges and was a refugee when he was 15 years old.  The experience of building a new life in a foreign land with limited resources inspired him to give back to his community.

Conclusion: A Vision for Collective Action

The ‘UNITED FOR CHANGE’ program not only brought communities together but also set a vision for collective action. The perspectives shared by Nora, Mary, Rodrigue, and Blaise illustrate the commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by immigrants and refugees. Their insights on the next level of engagement reveal a shared desire to transition from discussions to action, translating the strategies outlined during the workshop into concrete policies and solutions.

This event, while already transformative, is just the beginning of a journey toward building a more inclusive and supportive environment for immigrants and refugees in Ohio. The collective commitment of those involved will undoubtedly drive positive change and ensure that the voices of immigrants and refugees continue to be heard and valued in their communities. United for Change signifies not only an event but also a shared vision for a more inclusive and supportive future.

Support the New Americans magazine to continue to serve our community with precise news that affect the new American, immigrant and refugee community. https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8LHFS78NRNJJY&source=url