This immersive workshop helps participants who live or work with immigrant populations develop a deep empathy and understanding of what it’s like to leave everything behind and start anew. At the same time, immigrants/migrants/bicultural participants leave the workshop feeling empowered to take an active role in this new place they call home through civic engagement, community involvement, and volunteerism.
Read more: Alas y Raíces (Wings and Roots): Understanding the Migrant ExperienceThe talk is given entirely in Spanish with simultaneous interpretation in English. This gives non-Spanish speakers the opportunity to feel the vulnerability that comes with not fully understanding the language.
Conference participants reflect on what it’s like to be bicultural/bilingual. We explore the idea that migrants aren’t just those who have left their home countries, but anyone who moves somewhere other than where they were born. Migration, transition, and transformation are part of the shared human experience.
What does it mean to honor where we come from and be fully involved in a new place and culture? Why is it so important to participate, vote, build community, and put down roots in this new place? How do these actions affect us, our neighbors, and our children?