Celebrate World Refugee Day and welcome the newest Texans to this community on Saturday, JUNE 18 from NOON-3PM at The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. This event is FREE, open to the public, and will offer a wide variety of activities for the whole family.
Join The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, Caritas of Austin, Catering By Rosemary, Heart of Texas Peace Corps Association, the Center for Survivors of Torture, Interfaith Action of Central Texas, Multicultural Refugee Coalition, The Refugee Health Screening Clinic, and Refugee Services of Texas as we honor the unique journeys of refugees living in Austin, welcome them to our community and celebrate the richness and diversity that they bring.
Austin’s festivities are in observance of the United Nations World Refugee Day commemorated annually on June 20. Don’t miss music, food, and an assortment of different activities to enjoy—crafts, face-painting, interactive educational information, a cake walk, and an international fashion show. Come dressed in national or ethnic clothes and take part in the show!
Performers from Burundi, Bhutan, Congo, Cuba and Iran will share special music and dancing from their countries.
An exciting part of the festivities is a naturalization ceremony conducted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in which a group of new citizens who had come to Central Texas as refugees will be sworn in. This is very exciting for those becoming citizens and for others watching, especially since refugees have had to flee their homelands mostly due to human rights abuses. Having been rejected by their own countries’ governments they are very proud to officially call the United States their own.
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is located at 1800 N. Congress Avenue Austin, Texas. For more information about the event, visit www.TheStoryofTexas.com or email refugees@interfaithtexas.org
Needs
Refugees often find themselves in need of certain items they cannot afford. This section of the newsletter is reserved for these requests.
A refugee high school student is in need of a TI 84 calculator.. If you have one you would like to donate, please contact peggy.robinson@austinisd.org or refugees@interfaithtexas.org