Refugees of War
January 29, 2019 WBUR interview with House of Peace Director Carrie Schuchardt on the situation of Marwa, a 16-year-old Syrian refugee being denied entry to the U.S. for medical treatment: "Syrian Teen Seeking Medical Treatment for Severe Burns Fights Visa Denial."
January 18, 2019 story in The Guardian: "Syrian Girl Disfigured by Bomb Attack Refused US Visa Under Trump Travel Ban."
February 21, 2017 Radio Boston: "Injured Iraqi Toddler's Family Arrives in Boston."
February 15, 2017 The Guardian: "Refugees seeking urgent medical care imperiled by immigration crackdown."
February 14, 2017: House of Peace Director Carrie Schuchardt testifies at Amnesty International USA's briefing for Congressional staff to highlight the impact of President Trump's executive order on refugees.
February 7, 2017 WBUR News: "Surgery on hold for injured Iraqi toddler as advocates work to get boy's parents into U.S."
January 31, 2017 CBS Boston: "Executive order separates badly burned Iraqi boy from family"
January 30, 2017 NECN news story: "Ipswich home for refugees feels effects of immigration order"
January 30, 2017 Fox 25 news story: "Ipswich organization fighting for refugee children in desperate need of medical help"
January 29, 2017 Salem News story: "Refugees arrived locally 'under the wire'"
Since its inception in 1990, the House of Peace has welcomed more than 500 refugees from 30 countries, including Haiti, El Salvador, Vietnam, Cuba, Ethiopia, Eritrea, the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, the Congo, and Syria. These refugees have typically lost everything, including parents or other family members, and survived extreme trauma. For the past five years, our central work has been receiving children with war-related illnesses and injuries—including severe burns, amputations, and life-threatening birth defects from depleted uranium exposure—who come to the United States with a family member for critical medical treatment.
We provide a healing, safe and enlivening community for these wounded children and adults. The House ensures that immediate needs for food, clothing, shelter, security, and medical care are met. In the course of their stay, guests may participate with residents in the practical work of the household, in artistic activities such as handwork and painting, and in festivals and cultural events sponsored by the House of Peace. Then, in cooperation with other agencies and groups, we help these guests begin new lives through education, housing, and employment in North Shore communities and beyond.
