Immigrants and refugees contribute greatly to Middle Tennessee. They add cultural diversity, shape the local economy and cultivate strong community.
‘The best day ever’: Nashville celebrates World Refugee Day in style
The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition held its annual World Refugee Day event this week in South Nashville — signifying that, for many refugees in the area, Nashville has become their home away from home.
Welcoming Afghan refugees to Middle Tennessee
In this episode, we hear the stories of the people who have been resettled here. Then, we learn about how Tennessee’s refugee resettlement infrastructure works. Finally, we hear how the community came together to fill in the gaps in the system and how listeners can help.
A Muslim-Hosted, Interfaith Donation Drive In Nashville Brings Support For Afghan Refugees
Organizers say a donation drive this weekend for newly arriving Afghani refugees was more successful than expected. Imam Ossama Bahloul of the Islamic Center of Nashville says people of diverse faith backgrounds showed up in droves to drop off personal items Saturday. The drop-off location on 12th Avenue South was busy from start to finish, he […]
‘We Don’t Look Back, We Look Forward’: A Syrian Family Rebuilds Their Life In Murfreesboro
This year marks a decade since the start of the Syrian civil war that has caused more than 6.5 million people to seek refuge around the world, including Kinan Alrifai and her family in Middle Tennessee. The John Overton High School science teacher spoke with WPLN News about the challenges and triumphs of rebuilding their lives here.
Charity Clinic Opens New Facility In Nashville Neighborhood Hard Hit By COVID
A 30-year-old charity clinic in Nashville opened its first satellite location on Tuesday. And it just so happens to be in one of the zip codes hardest hit by COVID-19.
After Weeks Of Hot Spots In Immigrant Communities, Nashville’s Coordinated Response Has Finally Ramped Up
For most of the coronavirus pandemic, Nashville’s biggest hot spot for new cases has been in South Nashville — home to a large international community. But it’s taken city officials weeks to ramp up efforts that connect immigrants and refugees to the resources they need.
Future Refugee Resettlements Remain In Limbo As Tennessee’s Governor Mulls A Decision
Gov. Bill Lee has a little over a month to decide whether Tennessee will continue allowing the resettlement of refugees. The decision was prompted by an executive order issued by President Trump in September, which asks both states and cities to “consent in writing” if they want to continue refugee resettlements.
Reaching Refugees by Going Mobile
Listen Now: The Tennessee Foreign Language Institute recently surveyed dozens of refugees around Nashville and asked if English classes were taught in their apartment complex, would they attend? All of them said yes. Yet free ESL classes are already offered around town, and few were enrolled. The proposed solution is a mobile classroom.
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