Pediatrician: Immigrant Children Are 'Extremely Traumatized'

By Rev. Debbie Clark

Edwards Church

“I was shocked. I was mind-boggled."

Dr. Julia Koehler, an infectious disease pediatrician with Children’s Hospital in Boston, describes her reaction when she began volunteering at the Metrowest Free Medical Clinic, located in Sudbury and Framingham.

As she treated children and families at the clinic, she learned about the needs and struggles of immigrant families.

She became involved in immigrant advocacy groups, and began working with the American Academy of Pediatrics to create an Immigrant Health Special Interest Group.

In Massachusetts, she helps the local chapter of the AAP create an Immigrant Health Committee. Her advocacy work awakened her to the particular needs of unaccompanied children who have come to Massachusetts, often fleeing violence in Central America.

The children, she says, “are extremely traumatized”—from the violence in their home countries, from the dangerous trip north, and from their experiences as children without adults supporting them and as undocumented immigrants.

The state provides limited medical assistance to these children, addressing some of their physical needs, but not their mental health struggles.

Dr. Koehler worked with the Chelsea Collaborative, a grass-roots empowerment organization, to obtain a grant from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The resulting pilot project addresses the mental health needs of unaccompanied minors.The program, she says, “has taken off.”

Clinicians work with the youth in a variety of contexts, including through art therapy.

Dr. Koehler is passionate about increasing public awareness of the needs of unaccompanied minors.

She will share the story of this work at the World Day of Prayer service on Friday, March 4 at 11 a.m. at EdwardsChurch, UCC in Framingham.

The World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year.

This year, the service was written by women from Cuba, and reflects the theme, “Receive children; receive me.”

Dr. Koehler’s message will highlight the challenge of living this theme today, when emotions about immigration reform are so high and the needs of unaccompanied minors are so great.

Following the service, there will be a light lunch featuring Cuban food.

The service is held at Edwards Church, UCC, 39 Edwards Street in Framingham. There is no charge for the service or the meal; an offering will be received in the worship service and donations for the meal are appreciated.

For more information, please contact Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark at 508-877-2050 or pastor@edwardschurch.org.