Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS), Columbus, OH Videos

There was something profound about gathering together in downtown Columbus–the heart of the city–for CRIS’ tenth annual 5K + Advocacy Fair last year. Being together in the heart of this community that we are rooted in, that we love, that we dream of making the most welcoming community it can be, was a moving experience. Celebrating our strength, diversity, and unity as a community, that we are strong together. This is the essence of the CRIS 5K, and we are returning to Genoa Park on October 5th, 2024, to do it all again. Run, walk, stand with us this year: crisohio.org/5k.

Fun has no age limits! Many of our Older Refugee Program participants recently enjoyed a group outing at Blendon Woods Metro Park, with several even trying out the zipline. Check the comments for more pictures from their adventure.

Watch Flannery as she shows off her "unboxing" skills by opening some recent Welcome Kit donations purchased and shipped from our Amazon Wishlist. Don't miss her opening the third box (she was almost bested by it). And she unknowingly saved the best (most needed item) for last! It's easier than ever to donate Welcome Kit items. We have an Amazon Wishlist (https://rb.gy/4h322z) and registries at Wal-Mart and Target. Visit https://www.crisohio.org/donation-items for all the details and contact Anitha Kavuna ([email protected]) with any questions about in-kind donations.

One of the many ways CRIS’ Refugee Health & Wellness program promotes holistic wellness is through offering brief therapy sessions to those we serve as well as creating connections with local therapists. OSU medical student and former CRIS Refugee Health & Wellness Program Assistant Noureen shares insights from her experience with this work, highlighting the holistic approach the team takes to care for those we serve.

Nature groups, sewing classes, and dance sessions are components of CRIS’ multi-faceted approach to refugee mental health and wellness. Refugee Health & Wellness Intern Krista Smith shares insights about these groups and how they foster mental wellness.

We celebrate every step those we serve take towards self-sufficiency–including learning English! CRIS’ Older Refugee Program, Employment Program, and Match Grant Program have in-person and remote ESL learning opportunities for those within their program. For refugees who have spent much of their lives in refugee camps and may have had limited access to formal education, these English classes are the first school-like experience. CRIS Match Grant Program English instructor Kathryn Saperstein recently hosted a party to acknowledge the hard work done by many of her Congolese students in class over the last several months. Students received achievement certificates for their faithful class attendance and participation. The celebration was complete with games, food, and dancing (of course).

Three of the 34 Columbus Crossing Borders Project artists joined us for the pop up exhibit in New Albany last week! One of the most unique elements of this art exhibit is that the 34 artists collaborated with each other in their creative process in order to “cross borders” with the adjacent pieces. There’s just one more chance to see the original works all together, next Saturday, June 22nd, from 6-8:30 PM at the CRIS office. Bidding for the online auction of the pieces is happening now and will close the evening of the 22nd. Learn more and join in the bidding at crisohio.org/art! Hani Hara Gaye Reissland Michael Guinane

Mental Health Monday! CRIS Refugee Health & Wellness Caseworker Ingrid Owiti shares insights about refugee and immigrant mental wellness, highlighting the importance of finding community in the resettlement process.

Last week, some CRIS staff members participated in “bike to work” week, swapping our usual modes of transportation for bicycles for a day. While we enjoyed the fun and health benefits of biking to work along with its environmental benefits, we also recognize the privilege we have in being able to do so. Many of those we serve face transportation barriers. A bike can be a life-transforming step for some, providing access to more employment opportunities. If you have a bike in good condition that you’d like to donate to a refugee, contact CRIS team member Anitha Kavuna ([email protected])–it just might change someone’s life!

Many of our Older Refugee Program participants enjoyed another live concert last week, thanks to the Jazz Arts Group Academy on Tour!

[POV: You have the cutest little curator for your first Columbus Crossing Borders Project experience.] The Columbus Crossing Borders Project inspires the young and old alike with its 34 original art pieces that "cross borders" with one another. The simplicity of this concept, the profound meaning behind it, and the beauty woven throughout make this exhibit a powerful experience that all can connect with. You can experience it for yourself now as it is on display at Otterbein University at the Miller Gallery (33 Collegeview Road, Westerville, OH 43081) until Friday, May 24th. It is free and open to the public Monday through Friday 9 AM - 4 PM and this Saturday and Sunday from 1 PM - 4 PM. We will also host a public reception celebrating this show at the Miller Gallery on the evening of May 24th from 6-8:30 PM. Make plans to join us! You can also check out the active online auction of each of the 34 original pieces at crisohio.org/art, which provides images detailing how each piece is connected to its neighboring works.

Flannery is back with a very important announcement. Registration for the 2024 CRIS 5K is officially open! Today (Wednesday, May 15th) is your chance to lock in the lowest registration price at just $30…the race fee increases after midnight tonight. Check out crisohio.org/5k for all of this year’s race info and to sign up!

Eunice and her children and grandchildren are dancing for their first Mother’s Day in the U.S. Whether you’re a mom, stepmom, grandma, aunt, or mother figure, today we honor your love, strength, and nurturing spirit. Happy Mother’s Day!

Let the fun begin! Friday, May 10th, kicks off the first of three opportunities to experience the Columbus Crossing Borders Project IN PERSON that will take place over the next five weeks. Stop by the Miller Gallery (33 Collegeview Road, Westerville OH) at Otterbein University between May 10th-24th (M-F 9 AM - 4 PM; weekends 1-4 PM) to see the 34 original pieces of this nationally-travelled exhibit. Each piece is now up for auction and this is one of the final opportunities to see all 34 originals together before the auction closes on June 22nd. Visit crisohio.org/art to learn more or join in the bidding.

It has been just over one month since Kassim’s support page was launched, and the response was an outpouring of generosity. Kassim sends deep gratitude to each of those who have donated and/or shared the support page, saying, “I am so thankful for this support. It helps me, and it helps my family. This money enables me to purchase things my Medicaid does not cover, and it helps me continue to support my family. I used to be able to send my family money to help them, but now I cannot. It comforts me to receive support from others in this way.” If you are able to contribute or share the GoFundMe page with your network, Kassim would greatly appreciate it: https://gofund.me/5847ff78 Thank you for your continued support and kindness.

After seven years, thousands of miles, and thousands of lives touched, the Columbus Crossing Borders Project and CRIS have BIG news! Visit crisohio.org/art for all the details.

Could you pass the civics portion of the U.S. citizenship test and interview process? There are 100 questions on it and at least 15 of them are related to the U.S. presidency and past/present U.S. presidents. We recently caught up with Ibrahim who, at 74 years young, is a member of the CRIS Senior Refugee Program and is preparing for his U.S. citizenship test and interview next month. After serving as a university chemistry professor in Iraq for most of his life, Ibrahim and his wife Hoda were resettled in Columbus just over five years ago. Hoda became a U.S. citizen last year, and the time has now come for Ibrahim to complete his process. He has been preparing and feels nervous but ready. See how many of the answers you know in this snapshot of the civics test–Presidents’ Day edition!

The CRIS Holiday Sing-a-long finale is here—with special guests who moved into their first home here in Central Ohio this week! The Welcome Kit for this family of eight was completely supplied by community donations.

You never know who you’ll find dancing on a move-in day!

CRIS Housing Resource Specialist Laura Weiant joins in for Day 7 of our Holiday Sing-a-long with an essential cooking item! When she’s not highlighting Welcome Kit items, Laura works tirelessly to secure housing for our new arrivals—creating connections with area landlords and property managers, coordinating lease agreements with case managers and clients, and making sure each family has keys to their new home.