The Walk in a Refugee’s Shoes event is an hour-long simulation created to inform participants of the experiences of displaced peoples in refugee camps all over the world in the first-person narrative. Each attendee receives information regarding the details of a refugee’s life and is expected to “walk a mile” (figuratively speaking) in the role of that refugee as they pass through stations of the vetting and resettlement process.

Ultimately, the goal is to illustrate the hopes, challenges, dreams, and disappointments that thousands of refugees’ experience on a daily basis for years on end.  This event is preceded by An Afternoon with Our Refugee and Immigrant Neighbors to learn from our immigrant neighbors what their experience has been like integrating into the Indianapolis community.

COIN strives to raise community awareness about our immigrant neighbors, so we can create a more welcoming and supportive Network of Support.