Earlier this month, leadership and staff from the IRC in Atlanta and former IRC Youth Futures student, Nuam San, joined refugee leaders and advocates from across the country for a special two-day advocacy event in Washington, DC. With refugee arrivals at an all-time low, the need to engage Congress and share the importance of welcoming refugees is more urgent now than ever before. During this special event—which brought more than 20 refugee- and immigrant-serving organizations together in our nation’s capital—refugee leaders and advocates were able to hold more than 200 meetings with members of Congress in just one day!
The delegation from Georgia—which also included colleagues and refugee leaders from New American Pathways and the Center for Victims of Torture—had engaging meetings with the offices of Senator David Perdue, Senator Johnny Isakson, Representative Hank Johnson, Representative Rob Woodall, Representative Lucy McBath, Representative Doug Collins, and Representative Jody Hice, discussing the important actions legislators can take to protect the refugee resettlement program.
The Georgia delegation of advocates met with Jonathon Ballantyne, Legislative Correspondent to Senator David Perdue.
Photo: IRC Atlanta
A Clarkston High School honors graduate and now rising Sophmore at Agnes Scott College, Nuam San confidently shared her own refugee story with Georgia members of Congress and asked them to extend a hand of welcome to Georgia’s newest Americans. She also delivered ‘I stand with refugees’ postcards to both of our Georgia Senators, sharing messages she had collected from her peers and community in Clarkston.
All of us at the IRC in Atlanta are so proud of Nuam San for her courage in sharing her story and for her dedication to highlighting the strength and determination of other refugees, just like her, who are contributing to America’s culture and economy.
Nuam San's story, in her own words:
“I came to the U.S. as a refugee not knowing any English, and I’m about to be a sophomore in college. I’m telling my story because [refugee] stories need to be heard. Refugees are so cool, me included! We don’t mean any harm. We work hard, trying to have a normal life and take advantage of the same opportunities as every other American.
“With my story, I want people, especially refugees, to have hope and not to give up. If I can do it, then you can do it. Giving up is never an option. My goal is to at least have an impact on one person that changes his or her life to make a better future.
“I dream of working as the White House press secretary or becoming a member of Congress. I want to be the person who helps people find their dreams, talents and skills and bring peace to their communities. Not with just words, but also actions.”
To learn more about the work of the IRC in Atlanta and for information on how you can get involved with the IRC as a donor or volunteer, please contact Senior Development Manager, Kalie Lasiter, at Kalie.Lasiter [at] Rescue.org or 678-636-8941.
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