Wednesday, June 18, 2014
New center Aids Torture Survivors
A new WNY Center for Survivors of Refugee Trauma and Torture, made possible by a $250,000 grant from the New York State Health Foundation, will help torture survivors who have resettled in the Buffalo area with their medical and psychological issues, as well as provide them immigration, legal and social services.
The center was recently launched by Jewish Family Service of Buffalo and Erie County.
“We didn’t have a program to provide the specialized services that people with extreme refugee trauma and torture need,” said Pamela Kefi, project director. “This will help provide the bridge between the case management we all provide and the mental health system, which isn’t always accessible for refugees because of culture and language. Plus, it’s a traditional American model of service, which they’re not accustomed to.”...