The Power of Empathy in Uncertain Times
- Hay Soe
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 28
At the beginning of the Real Life Program year, a group of students went on a special field trip to see the Utah Jazz. For many, it was their first time experiencing the excitement of a professional basketball game. But beyond the thrill of the sport, the event held a deeper significance—it became a moment of transformation, connection, and joy.
A Game-Changing Experience
One student, Anabell, had been struggling in the weeks leading up to the trip. After severely breaking her arm, she had missed significant time at school and afterschool programs, becoming more withdrawn and hesitant to engage with her peers. Initially, the whole experience was daunting. The towering stadium and steep stands made her uneasy. But she pushed through her fear, promising to stay for at least a few minutes.
By the end of the first quarter, she was having the best time, and by the end of the game, she was jumping around and shouting. On the way home, she was smiling and giggling with her classmates, more boisterous than ever. The next day, she asked if she could play basketball after school as soon as her arm healed. Going to the game not only exposed Anabell to something new and brought her joy, but it also helped bring her out of her shell and reconnected her with her peers after her injury.
Utah’s Refugee Legacy and Ongoing Challenges
Stories like Anabell’s are at the heart of Real Life’s mission: empowering refugee and immigrant youth by providing them with opportunities to learn, grow, and belong. Utah has long been a place of refuge, welcoming over 70,000 refugees since 1995. These individuals have played a vital role in strengthening the state's economy and cultural fabric through labor force participation, entrepreneurship, and economic contributions.
However, in recent months, shifting policies have placed refugees and immigrants at the center of national debate. Executive orders have created immense uncertainty. The suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has left resettlement agencies struggling to provide essential services, from housing and food to employment assistance. Additionally, new immigration-related policies have increased prosecutions and tightened asylum access, adding further hardship to those seeking safety and stability.
For the students Real Life serves, these policies are not abstract discussions; they are deeply personal. They dictate whether families can stay together, whether children feel secure in school, and whether young people like Anabell can build a future free from fear.
Choosing Empathy Amid Uncertainty
In these challenging times, there is a clear path forward: empathy. At Youthlinc, we believe service is more than an act of charity—it is a means of fostering understanding and human connection. When volunteers engage with refugee youth, helping with homework, sharing stories, or simply playing a game, barriers dissolve. We begin to see each other not through the lens of difference, but through our shared humanity.
Empathy is the antidote to fear. It is what allows us to bridge divides and support one another in times of uncertainty. While policies may shift, our capacity to extend kindness remains unchanged.
How You Can Make a Difference
You have the power to support and uplift refugee and immigrant communities. Here’s how:
Giving Your Time
· International Scout Troop
Giving Goods
Giving Financial Support
· International Scout Troop
· ESLC
Advocating & Educating
· Attend Utah Refugee Connection Cultural Nights
· Participate in World Refugee Day events
· Educate yourself and others on refugee experiences
Empathy isn’t just a concept, it’s an action. By choosing to serve, to listen, and to engage, we don’t just change the lives of others; we transform our own. In a world that often feels divided, these small acts of kindness and connection remind us of what truly matters: seeing humanity in one another.
Comments