Afghan & Ukrainian Newcomers: Background & Context

Thousands of Afghans fleeing the Taliban have been resettled in the Chicago area since the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 also brought thousands of Ukranians to Illinois. This workshop aims to equip IL adult literacy staff and volunteers with the skills and cultural and historical context they need to provide culturally responsive services to Afghan and Ukranian new arrivals.

Zakia Roshan is the Immigration Intake & Clinic Coordinator at Indo-American Center in Chicago. She left Afghanistan in April 2022 and came to the US as a refugee. In Afghanistan Zakia worked in government and nonprofit jobs to advocate for the inclusion of women in the national economy and  to work towards gender justice in Afghanistan public policies. She will provide information about the history of Afghanistan, the ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds of the people of Afghanistan and specific resettlement challenges for Afghan refugees. 

Andrew Geddert is a psychologist at the Majorie Kovler Center in Chicago, an organization dedicated to providing trauma-informed care to forced migrants. Andrew also worked in Ukraine from 2002-2005 and 2015-2020 with Mennonite Central Committee, an international NGO. Andrew will cover social, political, and cultural context for the current war in Ukraine, the legal status of Ukranians in the United States, and unique challenges Ukranians have in adjusting to life here.

This training is part of our Student Support series. Content is designed for those working in adult education in mind, although everyone is welcome!