The Highland Park High School Global Awareness Group attended the Walk-a-thon for Refugees hosted by Interfaith-RISE on November 6th, 2022 to support the cause, raise money, and hear refugee stories coming from their own community. The event, organized by Pastor Seth Kaper-Dale, brought a crowd of citizens from Highland Park and nearby areas. Speakers included Mayor Gayle Brill-Mittler and Interfaith-RISE member Fida Ayoubi, who has helped with the process of resettlement. Attendees were encouraged to donate money towards refugee resettlement in central and southern New Jersey and to spread the word about the cause. Currently, the amount raised is currently over $90,000, with most around $65,000 coming from six generous donors.
The event was described as “eye-opening and close to home” by Christina Li, a member of the Global Awareness Group. Mr. Mladnick, Governor's Teacher of the Year and advisor to the Global Awareness Group, also attended to both volunteer and guide students.
While the issue of refugee resettlement has been a hot topic in recent years following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, it has often been seen as something distant by students and citizens alike. To have been able to hear refugees living in central Jersey speak about their experiences finding work, helping others in similar situations, and dealing with difficult emotions when leaving a country they once called home was “extremely cathartic. I felt moved by each testimony and recognized the strength that it took each refugee,” Li added. In the sea of red t-shirts, people came together and left closer than they were before.