Gallery: World Refugee Day 2024
By Sophia Donis
Events Across Missouri
Since 2001, World Refugee Day has been an opportunity to celebrate and honor those who have been forced to flee their homes. This year in Missouri, local resettlement agencies and other immigrant service providers celebrated newcomers with weekend events and panel discussions.
As part of their Summer Series, the International Institute of St. Louis (IISTL) hosted an event at 4 Hands Brewing Company. The afternoon offered musical performances, refugee vendors selling various goods, food trucks and tabling from local organizations. Volunteers and clients were honored during an award ceremony for their contributions to St. Louis, and 4 Hands debuted their Festival of Nations beer can wrap.
In Columbia, City of Refuge hosted a Summer Market featuring 41 local and refugee vendors. Attendees could purchase handmade goods, browse items in the City Boutique and enjoy live music throughout the morning.
Refugee and Immigrant Services & Empowerment (RISE) and other Kansas City service providers celebrated with a morning of entertainment, food and cultural performances. Harvesters, a local food bank, was also in attendance to pass out free groceries to clients.
These events were a powerful reminder of the incredible work being done at local resettlement agencies and how communities can come together to make a difference in the lives of newcomers.
Library Displays Across Missouri
To help foster a sense of welcome, MO-ORA sees education as a vital first step. As hubs for diverse communities with various audiences, libraries provide essential resources, information and services.
We invited libraries across the state to join us in commemorating World Refugee Day by creating displays and book lists that share the stories of immigrants and refugees.
We are proud to have partnered with the St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis County Library, Washington University Library in St. Louis, Daniel Boone Regional Library and Springfield-Greene County Library District to spread the positive impact of newcomers.