Events and News
Current Features:
Featured Event: World Refugee Day 2010
What a wonderful event at the Lancaster Eastern Market! Turkish baklava, made to sweet perfection served with a powerful little cup of Turkish kahve (coffee),
were just two of the delicacies newly-arrived refugees offered to the steady stream of curious passersby. The people also came from surrounding communities to sample
foods, peruse and buy crafts, and dance to music from worlds far from Central Pennsylvania.
The Bhutanese, excited about dressing in traditional clothing, were upbeat about the gathering. The basket-weaver squatted for hours, his hands rapidly twisting
and threading strands of bamboo into various designs. Burmese women displayed their wares, mostly beaded jewelry and embroidered clothing in a host of vibrant colors.
The day showcased the rich variety of cultures. From Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Iraq, and The Congo, they have come to America with big dreams of new freedom from
persecution. Resettled primarily by Church World Service and Lutheran Refugee Services to the Lancaster area, their eyes held a myriad of emotion. Thankful to have
escaped their war-torn countries, they celebrated this day together and overheard tidbits of conversation proved to be linguistically global.
World Refugee Day is an annual festival and occurs on June 20th.
 World Refugee Day 2010 Image Slideshow: View an interactive slideshow of
exclusive photos from this festival!
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Featured Newsletter: RefugeeWorks News, Issue #33 -
Investing In Education
In their April/May/June 2010 quarterly publication, RefugeeWorks has focused on stories and topics highlighting the field of refugee education.
Included in these features are the insightful strategies obtained from subscribers--both individuals and organizations--for job seekers with low literacy skills, in
response to the following question: "What is working for you as you prepare and place individuals with limited English proficiency and low literacy skills in
their native language in jobs in your community?"
Among these responses is the following, provided by staff member, Dawn Zuckerman, of the Jewish Family & Children's Service of Pittsburgh:
"Provide statistics that show the retention rate of refugees who do not speak English.
This gives the new employer the financial reason to consider your clients. Also, know which companies hire non-English speakers. You can ask one employer to
provide testimonials that address the general concerns regarding hiring people with language limitations. Then you can provide those testimonials to new
employers."
Read this full feature and much more by downloading the full RefugeeWorks newsletter here:
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Featured Remarks: 15th Anniversary of Srenbrenica Genocide
Remarks from Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton
Washington, DC
July 11, 2010
Today we remember the tragic events in Srebrenica 15 years ago. I join President Obama and the people of the United States in offering our deepest
condolences on this most solemn occasion. We honor the memories of the victims and mourn with their families.
The United States stands with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and all countries in the region who wish to foster peace and reconciliation. We remain
committed to ensuring that those responsible for these crimes face justice. We recognize that there can be no lasting peace without justice. It
is only by bringing all responsible parties to account for their crimes that we will truly honor Srebrenica's victims.
We are duty-bound—to the victims, to their surviving family members, and to future generations—to prevent such atrocities from happening
again. Our common faith in the value of freedom and peace unifies us and drives us to act. That is why we are committed to working with all the
communities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina to move forward and build a pluralistic, democratic state that can take its rightful place in the
Euro-Atlantic community. A prosperous, free, and unified Bosnia and Herzegovina is the most worthy monument to those who lost their lives at
Srebrenica and the best guarantee against such a tragedy ever repeating itself.
The source of this speech, and more remarks from Secretary Clinton can be found here.
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Featured Upcoming Event: Fourth Annual Refugee Resettlement Banquet
Save the Date: September 17th, 2010
Mark your calendar for Church World Services' Fourth Annual Refugee Resettlement Banquet, scheduled for September 17th. The banquet will
take place at Calvary Church in Lancaster. A silent auction featuring items from local restaurants, shops, and services will take place, the
doors opening for bidding at 5:30pm.
This year's featured speaker is Erol Kekic, Director of the Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program (CWS/IRP).
For more details on the Annual Refugee Resettlement Banquet, including contact information for item donations and ticket purchase,
and more, please download the following flyer:
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Featured Event: The Office of Refugee Resettlement's Annual National Consultation
Honoring 30 Years of Service: Commitment, Hope, and Dignity
The Office of Refugee Resettlement hosted its annual national consultation this past June 7-8 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC.
Nearly 800 members of the refugee resettlement community attended – including grantees, voluntary agencies, federal partners, service providers,
and over 100 refugees!
This year's consultation marked many firsts, including active participation from the National Security Council under the Executive Office
of the President.
The consultation provided the opportunity to share ideas and collaborate on ways in which to best serve refugees and other vulnerable
populations.
For more in-depth coverage of this consultation, please download the following newsletter:
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Featured Newsletter: ISS-USA Today! July 2010; Vol. 1, Issue 4
In the July 2010 edition of their newsletter, ISS-USA Today!, International Social Service (ISS) highlights their newly-implemented case tracking software
known as Efforts to Outcomes (ETO™), and other ways the company has advanced along with today's fast-paced world. Also featured are the stories of several refugee
families, an employee Q&A, event coverage and more.
To read in more detail how ISS-USA continues to play an active and dynamic role in the refugee community, please download the full newsletter:
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Featured Remarks: Cote d'Ivoire's Independence Day
Remarks from Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton
Washington, DC
August 5, 2010
On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Cote d'Ivoire as you celebrate the fiftieth
anniversary of your independence this August 7.
Cote d'Ivoire has made great progress in the last few years in resolving the complex challenges that come with a diverse population.
On this historic occasion, you can reflect with pride on the tolerance, hard work and determination that helped your country become a
leader in West Africa. These same values can also be the foundations for a successful future. The United States supports the people of
Cote d'Ivoire's aspirations for renewed democracy, and we share your eagerness for elections that will help move the country beyond
political stalemate to lasting unity. Political stability and the rule of law are vital building blocks for a prosperous and sustainable future.
I wish all Ivoirians a safe and joyous Independence Day and reaffirm the commitment of the United States to our enduring friendship.
May this year be the beginning of a new era of peace and prosperity in Cote d'Ivoire.
The source of this speech, and more remarks from Secretary Clinton can be found here.
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Featured Event: Help Teach English to Refugees!
Have you ever considered helping refugees learn English? Don't let lack of experience stop you from volunteering!
St. Peter's United Church of Christ is holding an information session on August 16th at 11:30 am for
those considering teaching the English language to refugees.
For more details on this great opportunity, including contact and location information, download the following flyer:
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