Erin’s StoryAug 30 2023 Erin is one of CWS’s R&P (Reception and Placement) interns this summer. Although her title also includes the ECAR (Every Campus a Refuge) intern/liaison between JMU and CWS, but most of her work is done at CWS’s office with the case managers. Her interest in the refugee experience was sparked by a class she took at …

Lianna’s StoryAug 22 2023 Lianna is one of CWS Harrisonburg’s immigration interns. She was born in Cuba, but now lives in the Harrisonburg area, and attends the University of Chicago. As an immigration intern, her work varies daily. “I work with Lucia who is our main legal representative here. Most of what I do has to do with paperwork. So …

Lewam’s StoryAug18 2023 Lewam works as a case aide at the CWS Harrisonburg office. Her position involves a wide range of responsibilities, from “taking clients to their appointments, to grocery shop, setting up a house…going over their papers, like letters and stuff like that, and helping case noting” Lewam said. Usually the type of work “depends on the week, or …

Alexa’s StoryAug 8 2023Alexa works as an ECAR (Every Campus a Refuge) intern at CWS. ECAR in a nutshell is “a program that partners universities with their local resettlement agencies to help them offset the resources and services that are needed during the resettlement process,” Alexa said. She has various tasks, making everyday look completely different. While Alexa helps with …

Alexis’ StoryJul 28 2023Alexis works as a case manager here at CWS Harrisonburg. He’s from Burundi, which he describes as “a small country in east Africa” where he grew up in a small rural village, and “spent a lot of time watching cows and goats” Alexis recalled.   As a case manager, his work stretches from filling out applications prior to …

Gulala’s StoryJun 22 2023Gulala is our Adult Education ESL (English as a Second Language) Specialist at CWS Harrisonburg. In this position, Gulala works during the initial period of welcome and throughout the first five years after arrival to help newcomers develop proficiency in English. She does this by connecting adult clients to English tutors or ESL classes. Gulala has always …