Press Release: World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day Hosted by Catholic Charities and the Allen County Public Library
June 19, 2023 (FORT WAYNE, Ind.) – As the leader in refugee resettlement for northern Indiana, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (CCFWSB) has teamed up with the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) to host World Refugee Day on June 20, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
A global day to honor and celebrate the resiliency and success of refugees, this event will be focused on sharing culture, stories, and entertainment from Burma, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
“Our services to refugees have two main goals: successful community integration and economic self-sufficiency,” says Nyein Chan, Director of Refugee Services at CCFWSB. “As case managers, we see the growth and determination of our clients from the moment they land at the airport to buying their first home or opening a local business. The resiliency of a refugee is like no other because they are brought here due to war and/or a well-founded fear of persecution. They don’t know the language or the culture, yet they find small ways to succeed each day. There’s still much to be done, but with continued support, we can accomplish great things.”
For the first time ever, CCFWSB will be partnering with the Allen County Public Library for this event. The ACPL will host the event at its Main Library where attendees can learn about using library materials, participating in programs, finding materials in other languages, accessing the internet, and connecting with community resources. As Allen County residents, participants will also be eligible for an ACPL library card at no cost.
"At the ACPL, we're so happy to celebrate refugee stories and experiences on this World Refugee Day,” said Director of Programs and Partnerships, Beth Boatright. “The Library is a place where everyone belongs and where everyone can learn more about Fort Wayne, about the world, and about each other. We are proud to welcome our newest Allen County residents as patrons and neighbors."
Who: This event is open to the public
Where: Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plz, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Conference Rooms ABC, events on the plaza to follow
When: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Event Agenda:
11:00 Welcome
11:05-11:15 Catholic Charities and ACPL opening remarks
11:15-11:20 Stephanie Crandall to Deliver Remarks from the City of Fort Wayne
11:20-11:40 International Lunch
11:40-12:00 Former Refugee Stories
12:00-1:00 Music, Dancing, and Entertainment on the Plaza
CCFWSB has been resettling refugees since 1975 and is the only federal resettlement agency in northern Indiana. Services for refugees include: Pre-arrival and arrival services, assistance with housing, and utilities, applying for public assistance, transportation and interpretation for medical appointments, job readiness, acculturation skills, job search and placement, youth and older refugee services, financial literacy, ESL classes, school enrollment for children, and other educational services as needed.
For additional information on who is a refugee and the process of becoming a refugee, visit: https://www.ccfwsb.org/refugee-101.
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About Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend:
Catholic Charities is a private 501 (c) 3 incorporated in the state of Indiana to act as the coordinating and administrative agency for the charitable activities assigned to it by the Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend; to plan for, initiate, direct, support and coordinate Catholic social-services programs for the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical welfare of persons in need; to seek and determine the causes of social problems in order to better promote preventative social-action programs; to participate in community planning and organization, and work cooperatively with other individuals and groups in the field of social work. The service area for Catholic Charities includes the 14 counties of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, encompassing 2,236 square miles, with a population of 1,247,850. Currently, Catholic Charities has offices in Fort Wayne (Allen County), Auburn (DeKalb County), and South Bend (St. Joseph County), Indiana. In Fiscal Year 2021-2022, CCFWSB served almost 20,000 individuals at a fiscally responsible rate of 88 cents of every dollar dedicated to client services. The agency’s mission is to serve all those in need as Christ calls us to do.
About the Allen County Public Library
The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) has fostered lifelong learning and discovery in northeast Indiana for more than 125 years. The ACPL consists of fourteen branches throughout Allen County, serving more than one million visitors per year. The ACPL’s collection includes more than 2.7 million items, with a circulation total of 3.6 million items borrowed annually. It also houses The Genealogy Center, the nation’s largest public genealogy research center, and The Rolland Center for Lincoln Research, consisting of more than 20,000 artifacts related to President Abraham Lincoln.