Announcement
World Refugee Day is June 20. See how the IRC's Dallas and Abilene offices celebrated World Refugee Day all week!
June 19: GenR: Dallas Happy Hour
GenR: Dallas members got together to celebrate World Refugee Day at Peticolas Brewery in Dallas' Design District. Join GenR: Dallas here!
June 20: International Rescue Committee publishes report on the states of refugees in the United States
The International Rescue Committee published (Un)Welcome: the state of refugee resettlement in America that shines a light on the impact the curtailed resettlement program has on our communities. The IRC in Dallas was featured on NBC5 to discuss the report and how low arrival numbers affect our local economy.
June 20: The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After
Author Clemantine Wamariya, center, meets with youth resettled in Dallas.
Photo: Alex Laywell
The IRC in Dallas attended a discussion on Clemantine Wamariya's memoir The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After, hosted by Art & Letters Live at the Dallas Museum of Art. The Dallas Office of Welcoming Communities & Immigrants Affairs provided tickets to several refugee youth to attend and meet Clemantine.
Additionally, KERA Think interviewed Clemantine Wamariya on her new book, prior to the discussion. You can listen here.
Set Up for This Is Home screening in Abilene.
Photo: Susanna Lubanga
June 22: This is Home Screening in Abilene
The IRC in Abilene hosted a screening of Epix's This is Home: A Refugee Story at Hillcrest Church of Christ. This is Home won the World Cinema Documentary Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival.
Abilene's Mayor Pro Tempore (standing in for Mayor Anthony Williams, Mayor of Abilene) issued a proclamation that the June 22 is World Refugee Day in Abilene, and recognizing the resilience and strength of refugees, and expressing appreciation for the IRC in Abilene.
June 23: World Refugee Day Celebration in Dallas
The IRC in Dallas, in partnership with Northwest Community Center, Refugee Services of Texas - Dallas, Catholic Charities Dallas, United Nations Association - Dallas Chapter, and Mosaic Family Services hosted a huge community celebration for over 1,000 community members in Dallas!
The famous Burundian Drummers perform at the World Refugee Day Celebration in Dallas.
Photo: Emily Parker
Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins and City Councilmember Jennifer Staubach Gates joined the celebration. City Councilmember Gates (standing in for Mayor Michael Rawlings, Mayor of Dallas) issues a proclamation stating that June 20 is World Refugee Day in Dallas. The Celebration featured performances from all over the globe, delicious cuisine from all over DFW, and ended with a dance party.
The IRC in Texas would like to thank everyone who attended an event, volunteered at an event, and came out to support refugees! We appreciate your ongoing support!