Sarah Peterson

Sarah Peterson started at HIAS Pennsylvania as an intern in 2002, while earning her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania.  For two years, she coordinated the Pennsylvania Asylee Outreach Project, a state-wide project within HIAS Pennsylvania, created to connect people granted asylum to available resources and remove barriers preventing their complete integration into the community. After taking a two-year sabbatical to travel, Sarah returned to HIAS Pennsylvania in 2007 to serve as the Communication and Development Coordinator. In 2008, she became the Director of Development and Refugee Programs. Under her direction, the resettlement program has expanded to resettle about 150 refugees from four different ethnic groups a year. 

Sarah has 15 years of experience as a social worker, focusing on serving diverse ethnic communities, including victims of domestic violence, at-risk youth, immigrants and refugees. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and has a passion for international travel and development work. She served as a Peace Corp volunteer in Guatemala for 2½ years and has taught English as a Second Language in China. She serves as a member of the board on Mount Airy, USA, and is a former board member of the Philadelphia Area Peace Corps Association.