Thursday, April 29, 2021
The past year was unique for everyone battling the pandemic, but it was especially challenging for refugees who had to acclimate to a new country while also navigating the pandemic. Many immigrants were left with little choice but to take up jobs with a high risk of contracting the infection or jobs where social distancing is impractical.
Immigrants were hired to clean hospitals with COVID-19 patient rooms. Kibrom Tefsu, a refugee employment specialist with Bethany Christian Services, felt that immigrants were grateful to have found stable employment even amidst the pandemic, immaterial of the risk of infection. A nonprofit organization that helps refugees relocate within the United States, Bethany Christian Services has its office in Allentown.