Coalition of Refugee Organizations to Spotlight 2016 World Refugee Day with Two-Part, Citywide Celebration

Dallas-area public invited to attend June 11 festivities and June 18 ceremony and resource fair DALLAS – (June 1, 2016) –

To welcome and celebrate the more than 3,000 refugees who flee their homes in foreign countries to escape war, persecution and other harrowing circumstances every year to start a new life here in Dallas, the Dallas Area Refugee Forum, will host a two-day, event on June 11 and June 18 in honor of World Refugee Day with festivities and informational sessions open to the public.

Entitled “World Refugee Day: From Homeland to New Home,” the celebration will include two, four-hour events, both hosted by the Dallas Area Refugee Forum, a coalition of agencies including Catholic Charities Dallas (CCD), Refugee Services of Texas, International Rescue Committee, Mosaic Family Services and the Iraqi-American Social Foundation. On Saturday, June 11 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dallas, the focus will be on celebrating refugees’ homelands.

The public can enjoy four hours of performances of refugees dancing in native clothing, a fashion show, live music, and a variety of activities for children including face painting, soccer, dodgeball and food stations. More than 50 refugee vendors will also showcase their goods and services, as well as native foods. There will also be a toiletries drive – people can bring in toiletries that will be sorted and donated to the four participating organizations for refugees in need.

On Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Northwest Community Center, the spotlight will be on the naturalization process and resources available to refugees in the Dallas community. Refugees and the public can join a day of activities including a live naturalization celebration, a voter registration drive, and health, government and educational service fair. Area dignitaries and officials will also be in attendance.

For more information about these services or to attend the workshop, contact Chris Kelley at chris@kelleynotes.com/214.457.5266 or McGuire Boles at 214-802-3295.

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