Refugee Writing Produced
In January 2007, the Gallatin Writing Program produced its latest publication, entitled Refugee Writing. The book was a collaborative effort between the Writing Program’s Literacy Project and the New York office of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), an organization that provides access to safety, sanctuary, and sustainable change for refugees.
In the spring of 2006, Writing Program Director June Foley and Literacy Review student-editors Nikki D'Errico (BA ’06) and Phoebe Fox (BA ’08) began the first writing class in the IRC's Literacy for Life program. Lucile Herbert (BA ’05), a Gallatin alumna and founder of Literacy for Life, recommended students for the program, as did Lissa Kern, program associate at the Bellevue Hospital-NYU Survivors of Torture Program. IRC employees Makenzie Brookes and Katherine Sarkis participated as volunteers, and at the semester's end they took over facilitating the class.
Out of this endeavor came Refugee Writing, a compilation of stories, poems, and other writings by the adult refugees who took part in the class. Their writings describe their experiences in their homelands—most of the students hailed from West Africa—and their lives in New York City. Refugee Writing was edited by Makenzie Brookes, Lucile Herbert, and Katherine Sarkis. Sam Gogolak, the Writing Program's administrative assistant, created the book’s design and layout, and June Foley served as adviser. The book was funded by a grant from NYU's Office of Community Services.