How to Talk to Your Child About Refugees: Expanding into the Community
In our last two blogs, we’ve been discussing how to talk to your child about refugees and how you can begin exploring more through conversations and learning in your home.
While discussing topics such as that of immigration are important in creating good, global citizens and increasing empathy, they are especially important and relevant to our community.
For many caregivers, it may be easy to assume that their children have not been exposed to immigration or refugees. However, the reality is that as of 2019, Austin has approximately 12,000 refugees, and therefore, it’s likely that many children have classmates who are refugees or immigrants and/or have a loved one close to them who is.
So as you’ve begun to create a foundation of understanding we want to encourage you to explore the greater impact and need of those around you—your neighbor, your child’s classmate, the individual standing by you waiting for their coffee.
At Ensemble Therapy, we understand the importance of healing and we want to foster growth throughout our community. We have chosen to volunteer and support Posada Esperanza, the family shelter at Casa Marianella, through ongoing support both with indirect and direct volunteering. Posada Esperanza is “a full-service transitional housing program for immigrant mothers and their children, escaping domestic or cultural violence.”
Occupying four homes in East Austin, they currently house 14 mothers and nearly 30 children! Their purpose is to continue the mission of Casa Marianella, “in providing the basic needs for homeless immigrants in Austin, while in a dignified setting that strives to build community. Posada Esperanza aims to create a nurturing and hospitable environment for families, while moms work toward self-sufficiency and empowerment – all the while, doing so in an environment that feels like home.”
As we journey into an ongoing partnership with Posada Esperanza, we invite you to partner and engage alongside us and/or to explore organizations and ways in which you can get involved in the community.
If you would like to join us in supporting Posada Esperanza some of their current needs include:
Donating Needed Items
Signing up to provide fresh food (cooking with your children at home is one great way to strengthen the child-caregiver relationship)
Volunteering to help with homework or tutoring
However, Casa Marianella is just one of several organizations and ways in which you can get involved in the community.
We’ve shared some ideas, based on age, below of additional ways how to support displaced persons in the community:
Ages: 2-4 years
Sort out non-perishables to donate from your pantry
Color thank you or greeting cards
Decorate paper lunch bags to provide fresh food
Ages: 5-7 years
Donate books
Donate toys or board games
Ages: 8-11 years
Make Welcome Bags
Fill a purse, backpack, or tote bag for new arrivals in your community. Include necessities, such as toiletries and school supplies, and then add in fun items such as stuffed animals and gift cards to local businesses. Add a personal touch with a decorated welcome sign or note from your family.
Fundraise with a lemonade stand, bake sale, etc
Ages: 12+ years
Advocacy with legislation
Hold a Community Drive
Collect new and gently-used clothing, books, toys, furniture, etc. to donate
Volunteering
“When we volunteer we truly learn what it means to help others, promoting a society that cares and respects others. Helping someone in need puts things into perspective because we begin to realize the things we can be grateful for in our lives.”
- Jaclyn Sepp, Founder of Ensemble Therapy
If you’re still needing additional ideas on how to become a global citizen and help impact your community, we encourage you to check out the organizations below in which all provide family-friendly volunteer opportunities:
Generation Serve - Teaches your family about community resources and how the whole family can become involved in donating time and heart to help others.
Central Texas Food Bank - Provides food to families in need in the community.
Urban Roots - Shows your family how to grow and obtain food, as well as helping out others at the same time.
Partnerships for Children - Bring the family out and help sort, tag, and wrap gifts for children that are less fortunate giving them the opportunity to unwrap gifts during the holiday season.
Big Hearted Family - Offers multiple activities for you and your family to volunteer such as feeding the hungry, caring for animals, or cleaning the community.
Keep Austin Beautiful - They work to beautify green spaces, clean waterways, and reduce waste.
Youth2Seniors - This is a youth-based program that creates intergenerational programs designed to partner youth and seniors within the community to enhance each other's lives and learning experience.
Meals on Wheels - Volunteer to provide hot, nutritious lunchtime meals to homebound older adults and persons with disabilities.
As we conclude this series, we hope the information and ideas leave you feeling supported in taking on these important and complex topics with your child(ren) and families. Conversations like this are abundant as our children continue to grow and make sense of the ever-changing world around them. As you take this journey, I encourage you to remember what’s at the heart of each of these conversations. What are the values you want to teach your children? How do you want them to view others and the world? Give yourself grace, take a deep breath, and jump in learning together. We are all in this together.
"All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we're giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That's one of the things that connects us as neighbors—in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver."
- Fred Rogers
Interested in booking a session with us?
WRITTEN BY DAKOTA BECKER, LPC, RPT™, NCC, IPT-CST (SHE/HER/HERS)
Dakota is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™), National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Institute of Play Therapy Certified Sandtray Therapist (IPT-CST). She received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of North Texas through their nationally known play therapy program as well as has her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development.
WRITTEN BY RACHEL ESPARZA, LPC ASSOCIATE (SHE/HER/HERS)
Rachel Esparza is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate supervised by Jaclyn N. Sepp, MA, LPC-S, RPT-S™, NCC, RYT® 200. Rachel is also working towards her Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™) credential. At Texas State University, Rachel earned her Master’s degree in Professional Counseling (CACREP Accredited Program) and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She has experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families in community counseling settings.