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Upon Arrival

Osman Mohamed, of Somalia.For many refugees, the first year can feel like a race against the clock to set up a new life.You get a little cash up front and a few months of help from a social worker.Then, you’re mostly on your own.We followed three refugee arrivals, from touchdown at Sea-Tac Airport to eight months into their lives here. Eight months, because that’s when refugees without families stop receiving small federal payments.Their stories are as different as the countries they come from, but they start with a similar thread – leaving despair behind and grasping for hope. Listen to our one-hour special (mp3)http://cpa.ds.npr.org/kuow/audio/2017/01/1124-REFUGEE-SPECIAL.mp3

Helping refugees live beyond survival mode

KUOW | By Matt Martin

Published August 30, 2016 at 2:15 PM AKDT

The Alhamdan family -- two parents and six children -- arrived recently in Seattle from Syria. They are joining a tiny community of 25 recent Syrian refugees.

Bill Radke speaks with Andrew Kritovich, program director of international counseling and community services at Lutheran Community Services NW, about the emotional struggles that many refugees face as they transition into a new life in America.

KUOW's Upon Arrival: How refugees find their way in Seattle

This segment originally aired August 30, 2016