Maryville University Connects with CFNA!
/
Maryville Grad students and new americans
For the past several months, the Maryville University occupational therapy program has partnered with CFNA to offer graduate students the opportunity to interview CFNA clients and design a short program for these New Americans. Occupational therapists evaluate clients or groups of clients for occupational deficits, considering activities and skills they need or want to participate in, but currently do not. They often work in schools, hospitals, or clinic settings, but they also work with groups in the community, such as CFNA.
Refugee communities around the country often benefit from occupational therapy services, thereby enabling them to transition to a new culture, new language, and new occupations more successfully. At CFNA, we had the opportunity to interview a group of refugees who recently arrived. Through an interpreter, students asked the clients questions about their daily lives, especially including especially the struggles they experience. Following this evaluation of their needs, the students designed three, one-hour programs they hoped would reduce some of the stressors and barriers preventing participation in American life as identified by the refugees.
These included the following:
screening
Learning to sign their name using the English alphabet to better complete documentation,
Learning to speak their name and address in English in order to call 9-1-1 as needed, and
Sharing holiday traditions often celebrated in each person’s culture.
“It was wonderful to see so much laughter and so many smiles among the clients and the students. It was clear that everyone was feeling connected and enjoyed the time together,” said Eliza Prager (Maryville faculty).
fellowship
New American participants reported being pleased they could now recall and speak their address to an English speaker. Many were motivated to continue working on refining their signatures. Throughout the program, it was clear that clients longed to express themselves, who they are, where they came from, and their current frustrations and needs.
“Thank you for listening to us. Even if it’s hard to hear, and we know it’s a sad story, we are just glad to have someone listen,” said a client through a CFNA translator.
For their part, the Maryville graduate students also viewed this as a great learning experience. “Working with CFNA, I was able to see how the skills and knowledge I take for granted every day make such a difference in the safety and success of people’s lives when they are transitioning to this country,” said Trulie (student).
Maryville University is pleased to be of service to New Americans, in partnership with CFNA.
By Professor Eliza Prager Maryville University
