Refugee Health Initiative

Meg Distler and Dr. Khin Mar Oo

In 1864, the Foundation’s Sponsor, the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, left Germany and traveled to America at the request of the local Roman Catholic Bishop to help care for the many German immigrants struggling in northeast Indiana. Throughout the 140-year history of the Poor Handmaids, service to vulnerable immigrants and refugees, including the Cambodians, the Cubans, and, most recently, the Burmese, has been common calling.

For 15 years, Fort Wayne has played a leadership role in the resettlement of Burmese refugees, helping several thousand Burmese refugees gain employment and become members of the community. However, in 2007, the character of the refugee resettlement situation changed dramatically, as the community was asked to accept 613 new Burmese refugees with an additional 800 refugees for direct resettlement in 2008 and possibly beyond. Secondary migration has also continued at a dramatic pace. Of particular concern to the Foundation is the poor health that many Southeast Asians are experiencing due to the poor conditions of the refugee camps where they have been forced to live for many years.

Continuing the tradition of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ in advocating for the poor, the Foundation is actively working with community leadership, established leaders who successfully migrated from Burma to America several years ago, and local agencies providing health services to this newest wave of refugees.

Catherine Kasper Place

Profiles of Local Refugees Making a Difference in our Community

Refugee Grants made to date

Catholic Perspective on Refugees & Immigration

For more information about the Foundation’s work with Burmese refugees, contact:

Meg Distler, Executive Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Loaine Hagerty, Special Projects Manager This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it