Iowa Refugees Seek Help, Understanding
By Kyair Butts
Des Moines, Iowa- The U.S. Department of State is not renewing its relationship with the Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services. Directly accepting refugees from other countries will end in late June. Refugees currently working with bureau employees can still receive language and job training since that aspect of the bureau is not ending.
The path that refugees take to get to the United States is a long and winding one. Refugees are fleeing persecution, escaping famine or avoiding political strife. Many refugees risk it all to leave their home country to come to Des Moines. Refugees struggle early to learn the language and adapt to American ways but with the help of the Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services, that transition is easier.
History
The Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services started in March 1989 when it was included in the U.S. Department of State. Resettlement services and other volunteer services for refugees is not new to the state of Iowa. Governor Robert Ray pledged support to former President Jimmy Carter in 1979 that Iowa would accept 1,500 refugees.
Public opinion was not favorable to Gov. Robert D. Ray, but Ray persisted in his efforts because he thought it was the right thing to do. The bureau began accepting refugees from non-European countries such as Sudan and Bhutan in the 1990s. Iowa had one of the largest Sudanese refugee populations in the United States in the early 1990s.
The Assessment, Training, and Placement Center was opened in April of 2003 to provide advanced work options to refugees to build their careers and to help learn how to advance in the workplace. The creation of this program represented a shift in how the bureau had been operating previously, but was seen as a necessary tool to make the lives of refugees better.
Refugee Resettlement Today and the Bureau
Refugees Iowa face an arduous task in learning the English language, adapting to a new culture, and learning the nuances of a society that is constantly changing. The Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services is an organization within the Iowa Department of Human Services that takes in refugees and provides them with the necessary tools to start a new life in the United States.
A refugee is defined as someone who has left his or her country out of fear of persecution, to flee war or to escape a natural disaster. The United States has been welcoming of refugees in recent years much like the Bureau of Refugee Services has in Des Moines.
Des Moines Bureau Chief John Wilken said that for many families, going back to their native country is not an option. He said that as long as the individual has refugee status, the bureau would continue to provide its services to the many refugees that wish to take advantage of them.
Wilken said that a challenge for all refugees to overcome is resettling. He said that although the U.S. Department of State is not renewing its relationship with the Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services, that resettlement outreach will continue through September.
This means that the bureau will no longer take refugees from other countries and place them in Des Moines. The bureau will continue to work with refugees currently in Des Moines to provide them with the necessary tools to learn the language and obtain and retain a job.
“We’re going through a bit of a change right now. Employment services will now see an increase in our attention,” said Wilken.
Opportunities like English as a Second Language (ESL) computer labs, pre-employment services, pre-employment training modules (simulating a work environment complete with a boss, tasks and co-workers), interpreting services and cultural bridges will now be the main focus of the Bureau to better assimilate the refugee population.
The goal of the pre-employment programs is to teach refugees what employers are looking for in a worker in order to be hired. Wilken said that he and his colleagues have identified 10 areas for successful job security that the pre-employment training modules address.
Pre-employment programs exist to land refugees jobs for the adults to begin providing for their family and the programs exist in conjunction with ESL classes because of the dominance of the English language in the workplace.
Relating to Refugees
Wilken relies on a staff that know the difficulties first-hand. About 70 percent of his staff are former refugees.
Zeljka Krvavica came from Bosnia 16 years ago and is now a refugee specialist at the bureau. She helps refugees get the necessary training to hold a job and provide for their families. Krvavica explained that her experience has allowed her to relate better to refugees and provide for a relative sense of calm in the hectic process that is resettlement.
Krvavica acknowledges that language and culture are tough social barriers, but smaller scale items like driving cars, going inside apartments and knowing where the living room is and what it is for, wearing shoes and looking people in the eye can be difficult transitions for some refugees.
“We’ve had clients before that were petrified of riding in cars. They would get so afraid they would vomit,” said Krvavica.
Dhan “James” Kueth, originally from Sudan, works with newly arrived refugees. Kueth said speaking the same language helps otherwise nervous, anxious and shy refugees feel calm secure.
“My hope is that refugees get a job for now, educate themselves in order to get better livings for themselves in the future,” said Kueth.
Kueth said he feels responsible to give back and help those who want to become U.S. citizens. Kueth said that if he has the time, it’s not in his nature to sit by and not help.
Kemal Delilovic, who is originally from Bosnia, is a career development specialist who works mainly with the pre-employment aspect at the bureau. Delilovic said that for refugees, the choice is that of one between two evils and that refugees choose the lesser one and come to the United States to try to rebuild. Evils for refugees include adapting to culture, the minutia of daily American life and the living with the knowledge that a return home is unlikely.
“We were happy to get out alive. I was given an opportunity that not everyone gets to have,” said Delilovic.
Culture and Diversity
The resettlement process begins immediately upon arrival in Des Moines. A smooth transition ultimately hinges on a refugee’s ability to adapt to American culture and experience diversity like never seen before.
“Diversity is a two way street,” said Krvavica.
It’s impossible for refugees to be completely resettled said Krvavica. In her mind, what the Bureau does will not make up for the inherent cultural differences.
“An Iraqi male will never act the same way as an Asian woman, but we expect them to based on our rules,” said Krvavica.
Kemal sees resettlement differently and argues that Des Moines is a great place to come to for a refugee, and that he would not choose another location if given the chance to do so.
“Des Moines was always open to diversity. Wherever you go you see people of different color. I don’t have experience with someone being kind of racial,” said Delilovic.
Kueth said that if people are willing to do their part in the community and make refugees feel welcome, adjusting won’t be a problem and will get easier with time. Krvavica said that the transition was easy for her because she looks Anglo, and that most Americans feel more comfortable since she looks like them.
She acknowledged that it’s not fair, but said that people need to get past race, color and other differences to help each other succeed.
“It’s about saving someone’s life, not taking someone’s job,” said Delilovic.
