Nonprofit Connecting UCR Students with Refugee Support Work in Riverside County

Students and community members can learn about volunteer opportunities supporting refugee families in Riverside County during a presentation Wednesday at UC Riverside's Student Success Center.

The Human Migration Institute will present from 2-3:20 p.m. in Room 125, with Programs Director Allison Severns and Case Manager Tomma Velez discussing how the nonprofit supports refugees through community building and how students can get involved through volunteer work, work-study positions and long-term partnerships.

"This opportunity came through one of our wonderful volunteers who is also one of the student organizers for this seminar course," Severns told The Raincross Gazette. "We expect the primary audience to be students who are interested in community engagement, nonprofit work, research, and volunteer opportunities, but anyone curious about refugee support and migration issues is welcome to attend."

The presentation will also address the broader context of migration, including climate factors that contribute to displacement. HMI began its work in 2015 supporting Syrian refugees arriving in the U.S. through ESL classes, community building and welcoming efforts. Before Syria's civil war began in 2011, the country experienced a severe, multi-year drought driven by climate factors that pushed around 1.5 million people, many of them farmers, from rural areas into cities.

"Climate change is part of the bigger picture nonprofits like HMI need to understand in order to support refugee newcomer communities with stability, dignity, and opportunity," Severns said. "Our role isn't to label people as 'climate refugees,' but to respond to what families are actually facing here in Riverside County after fleeing."

The session will highlight current volunteer needs and work-study opportunities specifically for UCR students, as well as ways students or campus groups can partner with HMI for longer-term engagement.

While refugee community members will not be formally presenting at this event, Severns said the organization is happy to connect interested students or reporters with community members with lived experience through future events or one-on-one conversations.

More information: The presentation takes place Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 2-3:20 p.m. at UC Riverside's Student Success Center, Room 125. More information is available at instagram.com.