Four Ways to Make a Difference on World Refugee Day
Written by Megan Carson
Today is the official World Refugee Day. There are events scheduled in many areas all throughout the week, with major events in major cities all around the world planned for Saturday, June 23rd.
If you've been wondering what you can do to participate in World Refugee Day, here are some suggestions:
1. Do a search for World Refugee Day events in your area, then show up! If you live in or near Salt Lake City, UT, or Oakland, CA, come find our TSOS Booths at each of those locations!
Here is a flier about an event in Salt Lake City TODAY:
Finding Home Screening
Here's a flier about the event in SLC on Saturday:
Here's a flier about the World Refugee Day event in Oakland.
2. Take a photo with a sign that expresses your support of refugees and then change your Profile Photo and come back and share it with us in the comments on Facebook.
Take your pick for your poster caption: Their Story Is Our Story, Their Story Is My Story, Welcome Refugees, Pray for Refugees, What If It Were You?, or be creative and come up with something original! We can't wait to see your photos! Use the hashtag - #TSOSRefugees.
3. Update your Social Media Profile Photo with this TSOS Frame. You can find it on our Facebook Page.
4. Turn your talents into a fundraiser! Our friends at Talent Pledge have made it super easy to be pro-active in a fun and meaningful way. You can pick your cause to donate to and you can pick your talent to share with your friends to donate to your cause.
If you'd like to choose TSOS, just go HERE to their Choose Your Cause page, then scroll down to the bottom, and in the SEARCH BAR, type in "Their Story Is Our Story" and Bam! We're all set!
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
We often hear the phrase, "Go big or go home!" But, maybe it doesn't matter so much if we go big or go small, just as long as we GO. So, pick something that works for you, find some way to do good in the world, and go out there and make it happen!
Invisible Barriers and Battles: The Mental Health Impact on Refugees
Refugees often risk their lives crossing deserts, jungles, and oceans all in the search for shelter, freedom, or happiness. Yet, even once they’ve reached physical safety, mental mountains emerge that make daily life an uphill climb. At the November 2022 conference for the Utah Chapter of the Society for Public Health Education (USOPHE), presenters Shurooq Al Jewari and Sasha Sloan discussed mental health and inclusion, focusing on immigrants and refugees.
Reclaiming Lost Traditions
Holidays are an important time to include newcomers. Newcomers are often aching for the traditions and holiday magic they knew at home - and the connections with family and friends. The Garcias* came from a strong family and community that knew generous and giving holiday traditions. I knew, when I met our new friends from Venezuela, the rich bond we would have; this was a kindred spirit family. Even though we have been bad at communicating (Google Translate is such a false hope), it was easy to find connections that helped us love each other.
Getting Serious about Collecting Stories
We know there are stories in Kansas City that need to be told. So, we sat down and made a plan. We listed individuals, nonprofit organizations, and resettlement agencies that we have relationships with. Then we listed ways we could weave these stories together by topic: connected communities, housing, resettlement, etc. Our list grew and grew, and before we knew it we had a roadmap.