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Serena Chaudhry, MPH, MSW, Solace, Safe Horizon, 74-09 37th Avenue, Suite 416, Jackson Heights, NY 11372, 718-899-1233 #103, serenaSMC@yahoo.com
Safe Horizon/Solace is a comprehensive, community-based counseling and outreach program for survivors of torture and refugee trauma. Solace is designed to benefit refugees who have survived physical, psychological, and sexual torture, as well as those who have endured organized violence or who are having serious difficulties dealing with current stressors related to life in the United States. Services at Solace range from, intensive case management, which includes social adjustment counseling, referrals for social needs and qualified medical and psychological follow-up, to clinical evaluations and individual, group and family psychotherapy. Using an integrative approach to treatment, Safe Horizon/Solace has implemented three programs that allow participants 1) to address their nutritional needs during their initial months with the program 2) to engage in dramatic performances that illustrate their life stories 3) to support and interact with other survivors in a safe space. First, an ethnic food pantry was developed to address the nutritional needs of participants. Participants were invited to play an active role in the creation of the menus, grocery lists and the packaging of the food in order to reduce the shame of receiving food and encourage healthy eating. Second, participants were offered the opportunity to work with theater directors and playwrights to create monologues, skits and dances that illustrate their stories of perseverance. Third, in an attempt to reduce isolation, encourage feelings of safety and allow asylees to mentor fellow asylum seekers, Safe Horizon/Solace staff implemented bi-weekly support groups for French and Spanish speakers. Participants have enthusiastically engaged in these three social healing interventions and reported their power in the healing process.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Immigrants, Refugees
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.