St. Ursula Academy students recently completed their minimester with Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio, spending four visits learning how our agency accompanies migrants and refugees as they rebuild their lives in Cincinnati.
During their time with us, students heard a powerful Voices presentation from Mlasi, a refugee originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She shared her family’s long journey, including years spent in a refugee camp in Kenya before finally finding safety and stability in Cincinnati. Mlasi spoke openly about the challenges of learning a new language, adapting to unfamiliar customs, and even discovering new foods. She shared with the students a vivid, human look at the courage and resilience behind her migration story.
Students also met with leadership from our Refugee Resettlement Services, Su Casa Hispanic Center, Immigration Legal Services, and Mental Health Services. Through these conversations, they learned what it truly means to be a migrant or refugee and gained a deeper understanding of how Catholic Charities provides essential services that help families rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
During their minimester, the students also rolled up their sleeves to support several hands-on projects for our migrant and refugee programs. They transformed donated t-shirts into reusable tote bags, sorted supplies for our upcoming World Refugee Day celebration, and assembled sets of affirmation cards to be shared with families. Each activity reflected their spirit of welcome and contributed to creating a joyful, dignified experience for the newcomers we serve.
INTERESTED in hosting a Voices presentation? Contact Dan Sarell, Mission Advancement Director, at dsarell@ccswoh.org.