Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health

08/29/2025

🌍 Refugees need us now more than ever.

At CIRH, we are calling on our community to:
✊ Stand with Afghan refugees amid urgent funding cuts
🕊️ Support refugee women in accessing safe and dignified healthcare
💜 Stand with Ukrainian refugees in their hope for freedom and stability

Here’s how you can help today:
✨ Funders – Invest in programs that improve refugee health and well-being. Partner with us.
✨ Partners & Community Leaders – Collaborate with us to scale solutions and share expertise.
✨ Community Members – Volunteer, participate in events, and support others in need. Join the community.

Join us today in supporting refugee resilience.
Scan the QR code or email cirh@phi.org to get involved.

08/28/2025

Don't forget to register for our webinar next Wednesday: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5O0jc3djSlm66LuUnmtOsw #/registration

Upcoming Webinar: Faith & Healing: An Interfaith Dialogue on Supporting Refugees
📅 Wednesday, September 3, 2025
🕛 12–1:30 PM PST

Around the world, millions are forced to leave their homes, facing loss, trauma, and uncertainty. In these moments of profound hardship, faith communities have a vital role to play in offering healing, sanctuary, and hope

Join leading faith leaders for a powerful conversation on how spiritual traditions and interfaith solidarity can foster healing, belonging, and resilience among displaced communities.

✨ Hear from:
Dr. Omar Reda, Healing Trauma Institute
Reverend Canon Eric Metoyer, Episcopal Diocese of California
Rabbi Julie Bressler, Temple Sinai

🔗 Register now: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5O0jc3djSlm66LuUnmtOsw #/registration

08/26/2025

El Cajon Valley High School is looking for a Community Liaison who would work on the ECV Community Center team. Learn more here:

Community Liaison I: The job of Community Liaison I is done for the purpose/s of improving communication and student achievement by promoting parent and community involvement in the education process; providing information on services available to eligible students and families; conveying informatio...

08/15/2025

Every day, millions of people are forced to leave their homes because of conflict, persecution, and violence.

At the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH), we believe that everyone, no matter where they come from, deserves dignity, compassion, and access to care.

We work alongside communities, service providers, and institutions to deliver culturally tailored programs, training, and trauma-informed support, supporting refugees and immigrants not only to survive, but truly thrive.

📽 Watch the video to see how we are making an impact: https://youtu.be/tDI0bls6oUo?si=-omlsTtXGHyrglwv

🌐 Learn more: www.cirh.phi.org
💛 Support our work: https://publichealthinstitute.networkforgood.com/projects/215801-sehat-institute

Every day, millions are forced to leave home due to conflict, persecution, and violence. At the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH), we believe ev...

08/15/2025

Families in Modesto & Tracy – You’re Invited! Join us for a warm and engaging Dawat Invite with great food 🍽, community, and meaningful conversations

📍 Modesto: 11 AM – 2 PM
📍 Tracy: 5 PM – 8 PM
📅 Saturday, August 23, 2025

Must RSVP! Please call 949-400-7942 or 310-985-3845

08/11/2025

Upcoming Webinar: Faith & Healing: An Interfaith Dialogue on Supporting Refugees
📅 Wednesday, September 3, 2025
🕛 12–1:30 PM PST

Around the world, millions are forced to leave their homes, facing loss, trauma, and uncertainty. In these moments of profound hardship, faith communities have a vital role to play in offering healing, sanctuary, and hope

Join leading faith leaders for a powerful conversation on how spiritual traditions and interfaith solidarity can foster healing, belonging, and resilience among displaced communities.

✨ Hear from:
Dr. Omar Reda, Healing Trauma Institute
Reverend Canon Eric Metoyer, Episcopal Diocese of California
Rabbi Julie Bressler, Temple Sinai

🔗 Register now: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5O0jc3djSlm66LuUnmtOsw #/registration

08/11/2025

Read our blog to discover the voices and stories of refugee students: https://www.cirh.phi.org/news-updates/what-refugee-students-want-schools-to-know-how-to-better-support-newcomers-from-ukraine-and-afghanistan

After fleeing war and other conflict or instability, students arriving in new host countries face the challenge of navigating unfamiliar school systems, languages, and cultures.…

08/04/2025

Honoring Culture, Building Trust: The Journey to Mental Wellness for Afghan Refugees

Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health and Cypress Resilience Project, both programs of Public Health Institute, in partnership with California Department of Public Health, and Office of Refugee Health, are proud to uplift the voices and work of our dedicated partners in addressing the mental health needs of refugees across California.

For many Afghan community members, seeking mental health support can be met with stigma, fear, and distrust. The team at Qazizada Multicultural Therapy Clinic has witnessed firsthand the impact of those barriers on Afghan clients and is deeply committed to improving their well-being by meeting them where they are and building trust through shared language and cultural understanding.

This story is part of a growing collection of impact stories from CIRH-supported programs across California, highlighting how community-rooted care can transform lives.

📖 Read the full story: https://www.cirh.phi.org/our-impact/honoring-culture-building-trust-the-journey-to-mental-wellness-for-afghan-refugees

07/11/2025

💡What do refugee students want schools to know?

After escaping war and instability, students from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and beyond face more than just academic hurdles—they seek belonging.

At CIRH’s 2024 conference, refugee and immigrant students shared powerful stories about what helped them feel seen, supported, and successful in California schools. From welcoming classrooms to mental health care, their insights are a call to action for educators everywhere.

📚✨ Read the blog and explore resources to help schools and staff build the skills and knowledge to better support newcomer students: https://www.cirh.phi.org/news-updates/what-refugee-students-want-schools-to-know-how-to-better-support-newcomers-from-ukraine-and-afghanistan

07/10/2025

Check out our digital resource library: https://www.cirh.phi.org/cirhs-digital-resource-library

CIRH Academy is an educational initiative of PHI's Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH), designed to provide culturally tailored trainings on immigrant and refugee topics to enhance the health and wellness outcomes for immigrant and refugee communities.

07/10/2025

📢 Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH) at Public Health Institute (PHI) is thrilled to partner with Hanna Center, a leading nonprofit in Sonoma County, California.

This partnership brings together a shared vision to improve health outcomes and mental well-being, particularly for immigrant and refugee communities. We deeply value Hanna Center’s commitment to research, community health, and youth mental health, and we are excited about the collaborative impact ahead.

Together, we look forward to creating lasting impact through partnership, innovation, and care. 🌍💙

06/10/2025

🧠 Looking for practical tools to support refugee mental health and resilience?

The Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health recently hosted an insightful webinar with Elaine Miller-Karas, LCSW, introducing the Community Resiliency Model (CRM), a set of six wellness skills designed to help individuals manage stress and heal from trauma.

From grounding strategies to visualization exercises, participants walked away with practical, science-backed tools they can apply immediately in their work with refugee and immigrant communities.

🌟One attendee shared: “The six skills are in the palms of your hands.”

Whether you are an educator, caseworker, or community leader, this session offers actionable and easy-to-learn strategies to build resilience and emotional well-being

🔗 Watch the webinar here: https://youtu.be/Cp3vFsdQ8SQ?si=4cP6zxWQOsASneW5