A
chance
encounter
on
his
dorm
floor
at
BW
lit
the
spark
that
would
eventually
lead
Larry
Yungk
'79
to
a
career
in
refugee
work
spanning
over
three
decades.
Yungk,
who
earned
a
degree
in
history
and
political
science,
retired
last
November
from
a
fulfilling
career
of
outreach
and
dedication
to
improving
the
lives
of
refugees.
BW
inspirations
In
recognition
of
his
extensive
refugee
career,
Yungk
was
a
Benefit4Change
honoree
in
2017
through
Church
World
Service
(CWS).
In
a
conversation
with
CWS,
Yungk
noted
that
he
was
first
inspired
to
go
into
refugee
work
after
an
experience
he
had
while
a
student
at
BW.
"On
my
dorm
floor
was
a
Vietnamese
refugee
named
Hung,"
Yungk
explained.
"We
became
best
friends
in
college,
and
I
saw
first-hand
what
he
had
lived
through
as
a
refugee."
Improving
lives
Early
in
his
career,
Yungk
worked
with
the
International
Rescue
Committee
(IRC).
He
started
out
as
a
volunteer
provided
with
food,
transportation
and
housing
as
a
manager
at
a
house
for
arriving
refugees.
"From
the
beginning,
I
enjoyed
the
work,"
Yungk
told
CWS
of
his
experience
with
the
IRC.
"I
think
helping
refugees
is
something
that
not
only
makes
refugees'
lives
better,
it
makes
all
of
our
lives
better."
Working
with
the
United
Nations
Yungk
worked
for
the
office
of
the
United
Nations
High
Commissioner
for
Refugees
(UNHCR)
from
1987
until
his
retirement
this
past
November.
Yungk
was
involved
in
drafting
UNHCR's
first
resettlement
handbook
in
1996,
which
was
created
to
provide
guidance
on
resettlement
policies
and
management.
A
modern
version
of
this
handbook
continues
to
be
of
service
guiding
members
of
the
UNHCR
today.
As
a
part
of
UNHCR,
Yungk
was
also
involved
in
the
resettlement
planning
for
populations
of
refugees
from
various
nations.
Most
recently
before
his
retirement,
he
helped
plan
for
the
resettlement
of
refugees
in
Central
America
and
also
led
resettlement
activities
for
parts
of
the
Caribbean
and
South
America.
Everyone
can
play
a
part
"Each
of
us
can
reach
out
a
hand
to
immigrants
and
refugees
in
our
own
communities,"
Yungk
told
CWS
when
asked
what
ordinary
people
could
do
to
help
refugees.
"That
can
be
as
simple
as
spending
time
talking
with
an
immigrant
or
refugee,
saying
hello
and
letting
people
know
they
are
welcome,
to
becoming
involved
in
more
formal
activities
-
like
helping
persons
learn
English,
find
jobs,
or
volunteering
with
an
organization
that
supports
immigrants
and
refugees."
