WAUSAU – In August, more than 100,000 refugees were airlifted from Afghanistan and transported to military bases around the country, including Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. Since then, dozens of families and individuals have been resettled in communities throughout Wisconsin, including in Wausau and Eau Claire. Local government officials and private agencies are working to ensure a smooth transition to life in the United States, but some hurdles remain.
At 10 a.m. today, Feb. 25, “Route 51” host Shereen Siewert welcomes Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg, Bea Evans, a founding member of Welcoming New Neighbors – Northwest Wisconsin Refugee Resettlement in Eau Claire, and a representative from Wausau’s New Beginnings for Refugees, for a discussion on the resettlement process, from how needs are being met to how the refugees themselves are acclimating to Western culture.
Listeners can join the conversation by calling 800-780-9742 or email questions to [email protected].
“Route 51” is heard Fridays at 10 a.m. on The Ideas Network stations 101.3 & 91.9/Wausau, AM 930/Auburndale-Stevens Point, 99.1/Stevens Point, 100.9/Marshfield, 90.3/Park Falls, 89.1/Adams-Wisconsin Rapids, 89.9/Rhinelander-Eagle River, 88.3/Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7/River Falls and live streamed at wrfw887.com/listen-live.html. It is re-broadcast Fridays at 7 p.m. on 90.9/Wausau. Program archives are available at wpr.org/route51.
