Pack Your Bag: Supporting Refugee families

Pack Your Bag is an experiential workshop introducing early childhood educators to experiences that
refugees face.The non-fiction children’s book “My Heart in Kenya” written by Ruth will be used to introduce participants to the discussion regarding the sense of belonging, and what happens when you have to pack your bag. This workshop will also explore simple things each of us can do to welcome newcomers to our communities.

Presenter: Ruth Beardsley
Ruth is an early childhood educator, author, and grandmother who worked for over 40 years in community services and early learning programs before her retirement. She first started telling stories while working with young children, but it was by working with adults in community groups that she learned the power of storytelling as a tool to raise awareness on issues related to refugees. Before retiring she received the United Way Community Impact Award, recognizing her work with refugee families and their young children