New Staff Profile: Remona Htoo

When a new-comer to Minnesota feels overwhelmed and doesn’t know where to start, Remona can offer empathy and hope based on her own experience. She tells them, “I was in your shoes 11 years ago, and it will be okay.” Remona and her family came to Idaho as refugees when she was just 12 years old, and just three weeks ago, she moved to Minnesota herself. Remona is a new Case Aide with MCC Refugee Services, assisting case managers and other staff where needed with newly arriving families, particularly those from Burma. That might mean providing Karen language interpretation, bringing new arrivals to appointments, and helping to sort out documentation for families. It is a busy and vital role to helping new arrivals feel settled and welcome in their new home. A recent graduate of Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho, Remona obtained her degree in Social Work and hopes to continue to work with refugees and elderly individuals in her career. She has always had a passion for helping others and found that a social work degree seemed like the perfect fit. She had the opportunity to volunteer and intern with the International Rescue Organization in Idaho during her school years. She explained that she grew up in that office in many ways, arriving through their resettlement program as a child, and the visiting and volunteering at the office each summer helping them welcome new arrivals. New families arriving as refugees face many transitions, and we are excited for the empathetic support they will receive from Remona. She is excited to learn about the Twin Cities alongside the clients she serves, and her enthusiasm and hope are contagious. Please join us in welcoming Remona to our team at MCC Refugee Services!