World Refugee Day 2003
Acknowledgements

June 20 was designated World Refugee Day by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2000 as an opportunity “to remember the world’s refugees on their special day.” For LIRS and its national network of affiliated agencies and partners, in collaboration with Lutheran churches and other agencies that share in its work, World Refugee Day 2003 was an opportunity to...

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• celebrate the diverse contributions of refugees in America and around the world,
• educate our communities on the issues faced by both the refugees in the United States and the millions of others around the world, and
• advocate for more refugee admissions in America.

We were delighted with the enthusiastic reponse we received from our network, and want to acknowledge the following organizations and individuals who participated. They are listed below in alphabetical order by state. Links to their websites and brief descriptions of their events are noted where available:

Arizona
Lutheran Social Ministry of the Southwest, Phoenix — A collaborative event with food, dancing, music and booths from regions around the world

Colorado
Lutheran Family Services of Colorado, Colorado Springs — An international putluck dinner for refugees and volunteers

District of Columbia
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, Falls Church — A free community luncheon featuring refugee speakers, crafts, a raffle and activities for children

Florida
Sharon Svihel, member of the LIRS Ambassadors Circle, Jacksonville

Lutheran Services Florida, Tampa — An ecumenical news conference focused on the refugee crisis

Georgia
Lutheran Services of Georgia, Atlanta — Reunions for church sponsors and refugee families as well as temple talks in five area churches

Samuel Weedor, member of the LIRS Ambassadors Circle, Columbus — Temple talk at St. Michael's Church

Illinois
Interfaith and Immigration Ministries, Chicago — An all-day celebration including professional workshops, guest speakers and cultural programs

Iowa
Lutheran Social Services of Iowa, Refugee Cooperative Ministry, Des Moines — A noon hour celebration hosted by Iowa Governor Robert Ray, featuring speeches and ethnic music and art

Maryland
Tressler Lutheran Refugee and Immigration Services, Baltimore — A reception and tour of the resettlement center for local officials and community leaders

Massachussets
Lutheran Community Services of Southern New England, Newton, Mass. — A fund-raising event including an educational hour, musical performances, dinner and a silent auction

Lutheran Community Services of Southern New England, Worcester, Mass. — A picnic with international music and dancing, games, a raffle and international foods (cancelled due to inclement weather)

Minnesota
Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, Pelican Rapids — An outdoor festival with ethnic foods, music and crafts and an exhibit of photographs and stories

Michigan
Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, Southfield — A reception and luncheon for refugees and elected officials in honor of Congressman John Conyers (D-MI)

New Jersey
Interfaith Refugee Action Team, Newark, N.J. — A photo exhibit on detainees and a press conference

Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey, Trenton — A collaborative celebration with refugee speakers and performers and ethnic foods

New York
Kamy Moghbeli, member of the LIRS Ambassadors Circle, and Satish Moorthy , Forgotten Refugees Campaign participant, New York City — A collaborative event bringing together diverse community groups to explore refugee and asylum issues

Chris Koellhoffer, Forgotten Refugees Campaign participant, Springfield Gardens, N.Y. — A month of refugee-related temple talks and highlighting refugees in parish announcements and prayers

Lutheran Family and Community Services, Staten Island, N.Y. — A celebration featuring refugee stories, poetry, artwork and dance

Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees, Utica, N.Y. — An outdoor celebration featuring refugee speakers, ethnic food and music from around the world

North Carolina
Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas, Greensboro, N.C. — An outdoor refugee cookfest featuring ethnic cuisine, entertainment and information sharing

Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas, Raleigh, N.C. — A parade through downtown Raleigh culminating in a picnic and musical performance

North Dakota
Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, Fargo — A press conference, a community event and temple talks

North Dakota
Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, Sioux Falls — A community festival of cultures with ethnic food and dancing

Texas
Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston — A community event with food, music, arts and crafts, and speeches

Washington
Sharon Daoura, member of the LIRS Ambassadors Circle, Silvana, Wash. — A temple talk at Peach Lutheran Church

Wisconsin
The Rev. Clint Schnekloth, member of the LIRS Ambassadors Circle, Madison, Wis. — A temple talk at St. John's Lutheran Church

Page updated July 29, 2003.