Mission Animators Projects
Immigration/Migration Events and Projects
2016-17
We must never forget....that migrants, rather than simply being
a statistic, are first of all persons who have faces, names and individual stories ~Pope Francis
Resources on Immigration
Mission Animators are a group of Xavier faculty and staff working with President Michael Graham, S.J. to more deeply integrate Xavier's Jesuit identity into everyday life at Xavier. Inspired by the words of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and current pontiff, the group chose the theme of immigration as a focus for the 2016-2017 academic school year. With the generous gift of an anonymous Xavier supporter, mini grants were offered to faculty and staff to create the following programming around the topic:
Fall
Transforming the Narrative on Immigration Tim Severyn
Bellarmine Chapel will be sponsoring JustFaith Module Just Matters: Crossing Borders, an eight-week course of reflection beginning on August 25.
A Film Screening Joya Dillard
"Documented" is a film about award-winning journalist Jose' Antonio Vargas' journey from the Philippines to the United States. it will be shown on September 29, 6:00pm in the Gallagher Student Center Arrupe Overlook.
Serving the Mental Health Needs of a Refugee Population Kathleen Hart
Dr. Angie Vredeveld, a local clinical psychologist specializing in immigrant and refugee mental health, will develop a lecture series on immigration and refugee mental health.
Advancing Inter-professional education and connections: Voices of refugees Dennis Long and Cindy Geer
The College of Professional Sciences will host two "Conversation with a Refugee" sessions each semester. Each presentation is offered by a refugees who have successfully lived in the U.S. for more than one year. This personal perspective provides a powerful lens from which to learn how refugees' experiences and knowledge can inform and prepare leaders and professionals. See the 5 minute clips from the first two presenters:.
The spring presentations will be on February 22nd and April 19th in the Gallagher Student Center from 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Immigration and the Elections: Ethics, Religion and Society Program
In this year's election cycle, it is hard to miss the significant attention the topic of immigration has received by presidential nominees and in the media. On Oct. 11, E/RS will devote a panel featuring Xavier faculty on the immigration and the elections, with a focus on immigration policy and the presidential elections. The faculty panel includes Drs. Mack Mariani, Julie O'Hara, Anas Malik, and Paul O'Hara. Conaton Board Room, 7 p.m. See the annual program .
Let's Talk About Immigration!: Lively Group Discussions Chris Anderson
These gatherings on immigration and migration will bring together small groups of people from all corners of Cincinnati to explore our city's rich history of im/migration. These diverse, open, and engaging discussions invite participants to examine historical texts and artifacts posted on our project's website. Facilitated dialogue offer Cincinnatians the opportunity to reflect on how they and their ancestors came here and to explore how their experiences intersect with others. If interested in joining a discussion (no background knowledge of your own family history needed), please complete https://goo.gl/forms/RbuW0XXdpdE2C6Ol2. Questions can be directed to immigrationproject@xavier.edu
Refugees in Cincinnati: Who Are They, Why Did They Come, What Can We Do? Rose Ann Fleming
On October 12, Cintas Center 4:30-6:00, members of the Legal Aid Society and Volunteer Lawyers Project will discuss "immigration in Cincinnati" addressing the recent influx of children and families from Central American countries.
On April 11th, 2017 at the Cintas Center from 4:30 - 5:30 pm, members of the Legal Aid Society and Volunteer Lawyers Project will discuss "Immigration in Cincinnati" addressing the recent influx of immigrants. This is followed with a half hour social.
Mock Border Wall and Discussion of Immigration Voices of Solidarity Student Club During the week of Oct. 24, VOS hosts activities and discussion opportunities on immigration.
Legal Terms and Issues on Immigration Ann Marie Tracey
As part of Father Graham's immigration initiative, the WCB Cintas Institute for Business Ethics, ER/S and the Brueggeman Center are sponsoring a panel discussion on "Legal Terms and Issues in Immigration" on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Cintas Center. No RSVP is required. Contact Ann Marie Tracey to learn more.
Supporting a Family Kathy Taylor
Resources needed to support individuals adapting to this country will be identified.
Journeys of Immigrant Entrepreneurs: Stories of Hope, Guidance and Economic Growth Thilini Ariyachandra
A panel of immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs discuss the opportunities, challenges and lessons learnt from their entrepreneurial journey in their native country, the U.S. and in the Tristate area. The event is on Thursday, November 17th from 7pm to 8:30pm in Conaton Boardroom in Schmidt Hall.
The panel will be moderated by Mary Stagaman (Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer of Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce).
Meet with the Author on Im/Migration Kristen Renzi
The English department will bring a writer (fiction and/or non-fiction) whose work addresses issues of immigration, migration, and cultural displacement to Xavier's campus.
Radicalization, Refugees, and Migration: A Cross-Cultural Dialogue Shannon Byrne
An interdisciplinary colloquium will be held on the effects of forced migration and its relationship to radicalization in the contemporary world.
Building Bridges of Understanding; An Immigrant Human Trafficking Survivor's Perspective Jessica Donohue-Dioh
Harold D'Souza, a survivor of human trafficking, will give an evening presentation sharing his experience migrating to America.
Interprofessional Assessment of Local Community Resources Jaylene Schaefer
On December 5th, from 6-7:30 in the Kennedy Auditorium of the Conaton Learning Commons, the results of a project to gather information on the presence of immigrant, migrant, and refugee populations in 15 selected greater Cincinnati neighborhoods and communities will be presented. Senior nursing and social work students worked to gather data on these populations and the availability of health care and social service agencies capable of meeting their unique needs.
Supporting Refugee and Immigration Students at the Academy of World Languages Sally Barnhart
Xavier faculty and students will serve the Academy of World Languages by leading programs that engage and connect the community of underserved children from 35 countries.
Fair Trade, Migration and Immigration Irene Hodgson
Yamileth Perez from Nicaragua will share her incredible story and her work with Esperanza en Acción (Hope in Action).
Link to the flyer.
Spring
Advancing Inter-professional education and connections: Voices of refugees Dennis Long and Cindy Geer
The College of Professional Sciences will host two "Conversation with a Refugee" sessions each semester. Each presentation is offered by a refugees who have successfully lived in the U.S. for more than one year. This personal perspective provides a powerful lens from which to learn how refugees' experiences and knowledge can inform and prepare leaders and professionals. The spring presentations will be on February 22nd and April 19th in the CLC Kennedy theatre from 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. See 5 minute clips from the Fall semester presenters above.
An Ignatian Discussion on Immigration Mission and Identity
The 4th annual Pope Francis Presentation, honoring the anniversary of his election, will be "An Ignatian Discussion on Immigration" on Tuesday, Feb 28, noon to 1:15, Justice Hall Conference Room. Facilitated by the 2016 Conway Faculty Fellow and professor of history, Dr Christine Anderson, faculty and staff are asked to read a few brief materials (found on the link) in advance of the meeting.
Salam Neighbor Stephanie Renny
A presentation, on March 29, of the award winning documentary, Salam Neighbor, about Za'tari, a Syrian refugee camp in Jorden where 85,000 people live. Following the film, there will be a panel featuring Catholic Charities representatives, a local Syrian refugee, and Dr. Humam Akbik, a local doctor who has traveled to provide underground medical care to those fleeing Syria. Authentic Syrian food will be provided by a business owned by a local Syrian Refugee. This event will begin at 7:00 pm in the Arrupe Overlook located in the Gallagher Student Center. - Kan Ya Makan Atayeb Zaman. View the film trailer at: http://livingonone.org/salamneighbor/.
Film, Music, and Stories from the U.S./Mexico Border Kathleen Smythe, Julia O'Hara
Join Natalia Serna, singer songwriter featured in Creighton University's Backpack Journalism film, "El Deportado," for a night of film, music and stories from the U.S./Mexico border. Sunday, April 2nd, 5:30-7:30 pm
Remembering Refugees and Rescuers in Nazi-Occupied France: Weapons of the Spirit and Village of Secrets Elizabeth Groppe
Throughout the Nazi occupation of Europe, a small village in France comprised primarily of Huegenot Christians shelterd Jewish refugees. Proportionate to the population, more Jews were rescued in the village of Le Chambon than anywhere else in France. On Monday, April 3, this phenomenon will be addressed from two perspectives: 1) screening of the film Weapons of the Spirit produced by Pierre Sauvage who was born in Le Chambon to refugee parents, and 2) human right journalist Caorline Moorehead's book Village of Secrets. This will be facilitated by Dr. Rachel Chrastil.
A God of Life and a Civilization of Love: A Catholic Response to the Refugee and Immigration Crisis Gillian Ahlgren
On Wednesday, April 5, Professor Dan Groody, CSC, University of Notre Dame, will speak on the topic at 7:30pm in Bellarmine Chapel.
Collecting Testimonies of Soviet Jewish Survivors Sandy Korros
In partnership with students and faculty at Xavier University, CHHE will document and create a traveling exhibit telling the often unheard experience of local Soviet Holocaust survivors.
Refugee Innovation in Ohio and Northern Kentucky: The Successes of an invisible Population James Buchanan
A regional panel will discuss the journey of refugees including the vetting process to enter the U.S., innovative best practices in the long welcome, challenges our region faces and ways that the Xavier community can get involved.
Exiled: Ohio's Indian Removal Karim Tiro
Creating an exhibition on the removal of Indians from Ohio, especially Shawnee, Miami, Wyandot and Delaware Nations. The exhibit will be opening at the Heritage Village Museum in Sharonville on Friday, April 28, at 7PM
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Digitization of Materials on Immigration and Migration Christine Anderson
On July 15, 2017, Cincinnati will be invited to an event to digitize their materials on immigration and migration.
Americans? Foreigners? Citizens! Exhibition Bertin Ondja'a
An exhibition of photographs alongside personal narratives exploring the lives of Immigrants and refugees in the Greater Cincinnati Area will be created.
For questions, contact a 'Mission Animator' - Liz Blume, James Buchanan, Greg Carpinello, Rachel Chrastil, Gabe Gottlieb, Abie Ingber, Debra Mooney, Sean Rhiney, Taj Smith and Janice Walker.