Last year, more than 76,000 refugees were evacuated from Afghanistan and relocated to the United States. On Saturday, we got an update on how the families relocated to Joplin are adjusting to life in the U.S. KRPS's Fred Fletcher-Fierro reports
The Joplin Interfaith Coalition hosted the meeting Saturday morning at the United Hebrew Congregation in Joplin in connection with the non-profit Refugee and Immigration Services & Education or RAISE. based in Noel, Missouri.
Currently, 108 Afghan refugees are residing in Joplin, down from a high of 158 according to RAISE. Sallie Beard was the Athletic Director at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin for 37 years before retiring in 2008 and now works with the Joplin Interfaith Coalition. She says her background helped prepare her for this opportunity.
"I guess the thing that maybe my career prepared me for most was everybody's different and the diversity. Even though during my career most of my interactions were with local American kids, but the diversity within that population was always a surprise to me."
One of the challenges for relocating refugees and non-profits like RAISE. is that staff only receives between 24 and 36 hours' notice before their arrival, making it a quick turnaround to locate adequate housing, food, health care, and transportation. For 89 9 KRPS News, I'm Fred Fletcher-Fierro
