next steps in my career
My practicum experience – both the experience of the PPR refugee art class and the elders mural book project – offered me insight into my future professional path. Facilitating art experiences with others and working hands-on with materials in a classroom-like setting felt comfortable and exciting. The more technical and organizational tasks related to the book project used a different set of skills that made me feel valued and empowered as a leader and artist.
The PPR class opportunity made me realize that the refugee population in Philadelphia is a group of people whom I would feel excited to serve. Recent events of war and conflict in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, are causing people to flee their native countries for safety and a better life. President Obama has pledged to increase the number of Syrian refugees that the United States will accept. All of this means that more than ever, the network of social support organizations and services that assist refugees and asylum seekers needs to be strong in order to meet the various needs of these people. I feel privileged to have worked with Nationalities Service Center and BuildaBridge, organizations that exist to offer hope, healing, and opportunities for leading others to lead healthy and safe lives of value and purpose.
The book project reinforced this aspiration to increase my work with refugees. It was truly eye-opening to learn about this growing population (in Philadelphia, specifically, but also globally), and to educate myself on issues related to refugee resettlement, such as specific mental health considerations. It is my great hope that the publication of the elders mural book will increase awareness of the refugee population, their struggles, the role of art in healing, and will encourage others to seek opportunities to serve these people.
The PPR class opportunity made me realize that the refugee population in Philadelphia is a group of people whom I would feel excited to serve. Recent events of war and conflict in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, are causing people to flee their native countries for safety and a better life. President Obama has pledged to increase the number of Syrian refugees that the United States will accept. All of this means that more than ever, the network of social support organizations and services that assist refugees and asylum seekers needs to be strong in order to meet the various needs of these people. I feel privileged to have worked with Nationalities Service Center and BuildaBridge, organizations that exist to offer hope, healing, and opportunities for leading others to lead healthy and safe lives of value and purpose.
The book project reinforced this aspiration to increase my work with refugees. It was truly eye-opening to learn about this growing population (in Philadelphia, specifically, but also globally), and to educate myself on issues related to refugee resettlement, such as specific mental health considerations. It is my great hope that the publication of the elders mural book will increase awareness of the refugee population, their struggles, the role of art in healing, and will encourage others to seek opportunities to serve these people.