Dr. Lewis Aptekar: Ways to Help Displaced Persons

Dr. Lewis Aptekar is a retired Professor in Counselor Education who has spent most of his career involved with humanitarian projects and international efforts to help those in need. He’s lived and worked in over thirty-five countries, he established a community development project in Mexico City to help educators improve the vocational skills of street children, and he’s the author of numerous publications detailing his experiences.

As you might expect, Dr. Lewis Aptekar is passionate about helping displaced persons and other who are struggling in the world. He encourages all he meets to act with compassion, and he continues to donate his resources to helping others even in retirement. Ways like these can help you get active in helping displaced persons and refugees:

Lewis Aptekar

·         Talk to Your University

Around the world, different universities offer scholarships to displaced persons to help them better acclimate to and succeed in new cultures. Education is of high value for displaced families, as is the housing that universities can offer with it. If your university doesn’t offer scholarships for refugees and other displaced persons, it might be time to talk about it. Encouraging your school to support refugees today can create a better tomorrow.

·         Hire Displaced Persons

Not a college student? If you’re a business owner, you can still help the displaced by hiring them. Provided your country legally allows a refugee to work, offer work opportunities through displaced persons programs in your area. This can help families acclimate to their new lives, become financially independent and find the socialization needed to settle in to a new culture. As an added bonus, your workplace diversity will skyrocket and your company culture will become a more understanding place.

·         Host an Awareness Event

Any community, school or workplace can benefit from an awareness event. Host one however you can – from a yard sale to a sponsored marathon – and donate the proceeds to displaced families through trusted organizations. Spread the word before your event for the biggest turnout and consider making it an annual occasion to make the biggest impact possible every year.