MCC Students to Help Refugee Children and Families Acclimate, Thrive in Rochester
November 14, 2022
An evening of fun activities and networking planned on Downtown Campus with local community organizations
WHAT: To promote the well-being of refugee children and help build a more inclusive community, Monroe Community College students will hold an evening of interactive play and a resource fair for refugee families across Greater Rochester in collaboration with local organizations. The event is free and open to the public; no preregistration is required.
Among the activities planned for children ages 7 to 19 are hands-on demonstrations led by MCC Chemistry Club members, board games and coloring kits. Five other MCC clubs and organizations will participate in the event. Families will also have an opportunity to meet with representatives of local outreach groups — including Mary’s Place, Refugees Helping Refugees, and Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services — to learn about various community supports available.
WHERE: Second and third floors of MCC’s Downtown Campus, 321 State St., Rochester
WHEN: 5-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14
DETAILS: Led by the MCC chapter members of Phi Theta Kappa (an international honor society), the event is part of the chapter’s 2022-23 project demonstrating the positive role that increasing access to supervised play can have in enhancing coping skills and the well-being of refugee children.
“Through our research, we found that play can be therapeutic and designed to aid in the coping process for adolescent refugees in their new environment. Moreover, play can act as a catalyst for personal and emotional growth while helping build stronger trust, cohesion, and community among refugees,” said Isaiah Gonsalves, one of the event organizers and PTK chapter co-vice president.