Nationalities Service Center (NSC)
Title: NSC: Witnessing Perseverance and Resilience Within Immigrant and Refugee Populations
Student Interns:
Siddiqa Faruki
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Hannah Park
Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Academic Preceptor:
Dalmacio Dennis Flores, PhD, ACRN, FAAN
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Zoë Van Orsdol, MA, MPH
Thomas Jefferson University, College of Population Health
Community Preceptor:
Kara Friesen, MA
Associate Director of Health Services, Nationalities Service Center
Community Site:
Since 1922, Nationalities Service Center (NSC) has been committed to serving refugees and immigrants in the Greater Philadelphia area, assisting approximately 5,000 clients annually in recent years. NSC supports newcomers from more than 100 countries and offers multiple resources to help clients build a foundation of independence, including programs and services for legal protection, language access, community integration, employment supports, and healthcare navigation. NSC’s mission is to empower immigrant and refugee communities and to see them thrive.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked with the Health Access and Innovative Support Program for Immigrant and Refugee Empowerment (INSPIRE) teams, focusing on navigating the healthcare system and providing social support. The interns connected clients to healthcare services and social benefits such as SNAP, SSI, public transportation, adaptive equipment, and healthcare screenings. The interns also helped clients make and navigate healthcare appointments and escorted clients to these visits to advocate for cultural humility and accessible interpretation. With support from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, the interns developed resources to educate clients on the significance of smoking cessation, detailing the health benefits of quitting and offering a list of supportive resources to be disseminated after translation. The interns also created a safe space for clients to voice their concerns and needs and facilitated accessible support to ultimately promote clients’ journeys toward independence and self-sufficiency.
Reflections
“My time at NSC has deepened my appreciation for immigrants and refugees more than ever. I was inspired by how perseverant they are for themselves and their families. As individuals, their resilience and strength have left a lasting impact on me. Witnessing them navigate through financial, linguistic, and healthcare challenges reminded me of the strength it takes to rebuild a life in a new place, similar to how my immigrant parents had to readjust. At the Survivors of Trauma (SOT) clinic at Penn Dental, I connected clients to vital and free dental services. Next, with the Wellness team, I had the opportunity to support them through appointment escorts. My work with INSPIRE gave me the opportunity to understand the daily lives of clients through home visits, where we worked on accessing healthcare services that address some social determinants of health, like SNAP, transportation, education, affordable housing, and appointment scheduling. While there were moments of frustration and limitations, I found deep fulfillment in being part of a team that reflects on work similar to my immigrant background. I gained immense respect for the social workers who carry this work with such care and dedication. Above all, I was inspired by the clients themselves, their determination, humility, and hope. I am sad to see my time at NSC come to an end, but I am grateful for all that I have learned through these communities, and I am committed to continuing to support them with dignity and compassion in the future.”
Siddiqa Faruki
“My experience at NSC was a beautiful testament to the strength and resilience of the refugee community. It has been my privilege to be intimately involved with our clients’ unique journeys and to learn how to warmly encourage steps towards growth in each scenario. Every day at the office brings the distinct honor of celebrating clients’ milestones and wins together, big or small; it never fails to amaze me just how much empowering and building up our clients’ confidence and independence can impact their resettlement experience. These families go on not just to simply live but to thrive. The vital intersection between health access and social support was always at the forefront of my work, reaffirming a deep need and my growing passion to advocate for systematic change towards holistic, informed care. NSC’s direct fieldwork opportunities opened my eyes to just how much power and privilege I hold as a citizen and future healthcare provider, and the need for attention to our approach in every interaction leaves undeniable, lasting marks on our patients’ trust and health outcomes. I want to take my experiences and conversations with our clients to become a trauma-sensitive, culturally humble provider who can fight for the dignity, respect, and quality of healthcare my patients deserve.”
Hannah Park