Last week, A Body & Mind sponsored the International Conference on Refugees of 2022. You might not know, but A Body & Mind prides itself on providing mental health services and support to the refugee population here in Boise! At the conference, spent two days learning, growing, connecting, and being filled with inspiration by so many of the amazing people who have come from and work in this space. For some insight into the event, we asked our head of Diversity & Inclusion, Myles, to share a few thoughts on the conference. See below for some #IRC2022 insight and inspiration!
I learned how committed so many Boise citizens are to making our community welcoming and accessible to refugees from all over the world. This was impactful because prior to the conference, I really had no idea how many people were advocating for this community. The Mayor of Boise as well as City Council members are also committed to providing a safe/welcoming city for refugees and asked that as Boise citizens, we do our best to do the same.
Were you aware of all these resources for refugees?
I had no idea how many resources there were for this population, and hearing stories from refugees all over the world allowed me to better understand just how necessary these resources are.
What surprised you the most at the conference?
The most surprising thing about this conference was hearing the stories of the refugees. Their stories were traumatic, heartbreaking, and powerful. Listening to these stories wasn’t so much surprising as it was just eye-opening. Understanding these experiences gave me a better perspective on why it’s so important to help the refugee population.
Where would you point people who want to help support refugees in their community?
International Rescue Committee in Boise, ID and Agency for New Americans are great resources for volunteer work, donations, and getting connected to support the refugee community here in Idaho!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Myles! We can’t wait for #ICR2023!