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1st Place: Carly Wheeler
Project Title: Challenges that Impact the Mental, Physical, and Social Health of Newly Arrived Refugees in South Dakota
Mentor: Alicia Roy, MS and Tim Jurgens, BS
Project Placement: Lutheran Social Services Center for New Americans
Project Details: Lutheran Social Services Center for New Americans (LSS CNA) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, resettles individuals and families who have fled their homes because of persecution based on race, politics, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. With goals of complete refugee health, self-sufficiency, and acculturation, LSS CNA offers housing, medical and employment assistance, cultural and community orientation, cash assistance, English classes, and interpretation services. At LSS CNA, Carly’s main objective was to evaluate the common challenges newly arrived refugees face that result in health disparities within their population. She also devoted time to considering how community members, health professionals, and social workers could work to improve the overall health of refugee populations. Carly worked on several different projects while at LSS. She developed and implemented a cultural orientation curriculum that addressed domestic violence, gender roles, and sexual and reproductive health. Carly facilitated registration with the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department for refugee and immigrant children to receive free swimming lessons. She collaborated with community health workers to educate LSS CNA case managers about effective and respectful medical advocacy.
Honorable Mention: Aaron Johnson
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