Drucie Bathin: Without her, many refugees from Burma would be lost in Denver

In the past four years, more than 2,000 Burmese refugees have arrived in Colorado. Though the state provides support, some of them struggle to navigate language, laws and customs of their new home. But Drucie Bathin, who came to the U.S. in 1999, can help. She heads the Colorado Rangers...

By Melanie Asmar

January 11, 2012

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

In the past four years, more than 2,000 Burmese refugees have arrived in Colorado. Though the state provides support, some of them struggle to navigate language, laws and customs of their new home. But Drucie Bathin, who came to the U.S. in 1999, can help. She heads the Colorado Rangers Organization, a group founded by refugees for refugees. Read more in this week's cover story, "A World Away."

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Melanie Asmar is a staff writer for Westword. She joined the paper in 2009 and has won awards for her stories about education, immigration and epic legal battles. Got a tip? She'd love to hear it.

Contact: Melanie Asmar

Follow:

Facebook: 162305260526475

Twitter: @MelanieAsmar