LSF Marks World Refugee Day With Events

2 June 2010

Lutheran Services Florida and other members of the Tampa Bay Refugee Task Force will mark World Refugee Day 2010 in June.

The Tampa Bay Refugee Task Force is a coalition of agencies that help refugees to settle, integrate and prosper in our area.

World Refugee Day is internationally sponsored each year on June 20 by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to celebrate and recognize the courage and experiences of the world’s refugees. This year the local theme is “Refugees of Today, Citizens of Tomorrow.” The international theme is “Home.”

“The international theme of this year’s World Refugee Day, ‘Home,’ reminds us both of what refugees have lost – their home countries and the homes they were forced to flee – as well as what they have found in Florida – a new home country and a new place to call home,” said Hiram A. Ruiz, Director of Refugee Services for the Florida Department of Children and Families. “This World Refugee Day, as we celebrate with our refugee neighbors in their new home, we must also remember the millions of refugees worldwide who have lost their homes but remain stuck in refugee camps, with little hope for any new home.”

Refugees are an integral part of the Tampa Bay community. In the last five years alone, a total of 17,398 refugees were resettled in the region. Refugees in the area come from many countries including Cuba, Haiti, Burma, Iraq and Colombia.

This year there will be two World Refugee Day events in Hillsborough County and one in Pinellas County.

Film Screening

On Thursday, June 17, there will be a film screening and panel discussion at the historic Centro Asturiano, 1913 Nebraska Ave., Tampa. Attendees may have dinner on their own at LATAM at the Centro from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. with networking opportunities. The free film screening will take place upstairs at the Centro Asturiano from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., followed by a panel discussion with refugees sharing their stories from 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tony Morejon, Hillsborough County Hispanic Affairs Liaison, will moderate the discussion.

The award-winning film “New Year Baby” chronicles the refugee experience. Born on Cambodian New Year in a refugee camp, Socheata Poeuv grows up in the United States not knowing anything about her family’s past. She journeys to Cambodia to discover the secrets of how her family came together during the Khmer Rouge period and finds that what her parents hid in shame proves their great heroism. “New Year Baby” is a celebration of family and the power of commitment. The film has received multiple awards including Amnesty International’s Movies that Matter 2009.

World Refugee Day, Hillsborough County

On Saturday, June 19, a refugee celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove United Methodist Church/Church on the Move, 2707 West Waters Ave., Tampa. The event will include a Citizenship Ceremony, refugee speakers sharing their journeys, a World Refugee Day awards presentation, music and dance performances, children’s activities, ethnic food and community information booths.

World Refugee Day, Pinellas County

On Saturday, June 19, a refugee celebration will be held from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Largo Library, 120 Central Park Drive, Largo. The event will include a Citizenship Ceremony, refugee youth testimonials, and a World Refugee Day awards presentation for refugees and community leaders. There will also be crafts and story times for children, citizenship games for teens, multilingual library tours, refreshments and prizes. Participants may also sign up for library cards.

For more information on World Refugee Day events, contact Hiram Ruiz, Director of Refugee Services for the Florida Department of Children and Families, at 305-763-9040, or Janet Blair, DCF Community Liaison, at 813-545-1716.

Lutheran Services Florida is a statewide, nonprofit human services agency dedicated to helping all people in need regardless of religious affiliation, age or national origin. Headquartered in Tampa, the agency has more than 60 programs located throughout Florida. Since it was established in 1982, LSF has helped more than 800,000 children and families. LSF’s mission is to bring God’s healing, hope and help to people in need.

Downloadable Event Fliers (PDF Format)

Film Screening and Refugee Panel
World Refugee Day, Hillsborough County
World Refugee Day, Pinellas County
 

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