international services
Family Story In 2012, Paw Paw came to Owensboro with her mother, brother and sister after leaving Thailand. Shortly after arriving, Paw enrolled at Owensboro High School. She said the first day and the first year being in a new environment was difficult — leading her to keep to herself. “It was hard to make friends,” Paw said. “You don’t know anything, and everything is different from the refugee camp in Thailand.” Upon utilizing the International Center, Paw said that she and her Paw Paw family were able to make great strides in adjustmening to their new life in America. “Upon coming to the United States, (the center) found a place for (my family) … and made sure that we had a bed, we had food,” Paw said. “We didn’t have to worry about anything. They kind of took care of everything for us.” “Paw Paw’s family is really one of our success stories,” said Anna Allen, site director of the center. “They did not have any idea what to expect. The culture they are used to is completely different. There was a language barrier — none of them spoke English.” Paw was able to walk across her high school graduation stage in four years and eventually completed her associate studies at Owensboro Community and Technical College, while her mother was able to find employment, buy her own car and house, and successfully become a U.S. citizen.
INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF OWENSBORO
Paw is enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program through the University of the Cumberlands’ online program while working as a youth and family service case manager at the International Center — the same place that helped her.
2818 New Hartford Road • icofky.com The International Center of Owensboro is a site location for the main hub, the International Center of Kentucky, which is based in Bowling Green. Since its inception in 1981, the center — a refugee resettlement agency — has assisted over 10,000 refugees, victims of human trafficking and immigrants from more than 30 countries around the world. The center works closely with the Department of State and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in order to implement a solid support structure that will help folks to integrate and be successful while they navigate through their journeys in the United States.
“She’s helping new families come in and particularly works with students in helping them with homework, cultural orientation and learning about life skills …,” Allen said. “Now, she’s the one bridging that gap for them, which was done for her.” “I love this job,” Paw said. “The people (that I help) have the same experiences as me, so it’s like giving back to the community.”
Mission The mission of the International Center is to address the needs of refugees and immigrants in their assimilation and integration into community life by providing employment, education, housing and other social services. It is the center’s hope that the assistance it lends will fuel success and prosperity among the families it hosts. 48 | GREATER OWENSBORO
