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World Refugee Day 2022
Join us on June 20, 2022, 4pm-8pm in Schenley Plaza for the return of Pittsburgh’s in person World Refugee Day and Immigrant Heritage Month Celebration!
Support local refugee and immigrant owned restaurants and artisans. Watch and listen to performances and speakers from around the world. Engage with community members and organizations to learn about services in our city. We’re excited to celebrate our city’s diverse culture and history together again this year!
We can’t wait for you to join us!
This year’s event is generously sponsored by Duolingo, Highmark Wholecare, The Leveler Foundation, Global Wordsmiths, and Signature Financial Planner, with additional support provided by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
Established in 2001
WORLD REFUGEE DAY
Established by the United Nations and first celebrated in 2001, World Refugee Day is held every year on June 20, commemorated by communities and organizations across the globe. On this day, people around the world take time to recognize and applaud the contribution of forcibly displaced people throughout the world.
Locally in Pittsburgh, we combine celebrations with Immigrant Heritage Month to celebrate and recognize the thousands of refugees and immigrants that call our city home, showcasing the vibrance and value they contribute to our region. We love our refugee & immigrant neighbors, friends, and family!
Global Table
The Food Blog!
One of our favorite ways to celebrate and support our refugee and immigrant neighbors is through their food. Now, we’re bringing the recipes to you! Learn how to make amazing food from around the world and read the stories of the immigrants who shared the recipe.
MARKETPLACe
Arts, Crafts, & More!
Check out jewelry, crafts, art, leather goods, clothing, and more from local immigrant-owned businesses. These sellers from around the global make items inspired by their experiences, cultures, and traditions. Shop local to support these creative artisans and crafters!
EAT local
Support Local Restaurants!
Every year, people have the opportunity to get lunch from several refugee and immigrant-owned restaurants at our World Refugee Day event in Market Square. This year, since we’re virtual, we’ve created a list of places offering delivery and takeout. Consider getting your lunch from one of these amazing global restaurants!
Join us on June 20 in Schenley Plaza
SEE ALL THE WAYS YOU CAN JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION!
Performances and Speakers
On June 20, listen to speakers and watch performances as local refugees and immigrants share their stories and culture with us under the big tent!
Activities for Everyone!
Community organizations and partners will provide resources, information, and fun activities and crafts for everyone to participate in.
Food from Around the World
Check out recipes from around the world as refugees & immigrants share breakfast cuisine, as well as their stories. Make your own and share a photo with us!
Support Local Artisans
Buy from refugee and immigrant owned arts and crafts businesses! Check out our craft vendors and see their beautiful artwork, pottery, jewelry, and more.
Celebrating Pittsburgh’s Refugees
Listen as community leaders share about the value that refugees and immigrants bring to our city. Hear more stories from refugee & immigrant neighbors, and learn about their journeys and experiences.
Watch a Film
Join us at 8pm in Frick Fine Arts Building for a showing of Peace by Chocolate, a film about Syrian refugees who found a home in Canada and restarted their chocolate business.
Photos from Past Years
Join us this year!
Check out the map of tents and vendors and this year’s schedule of peformances & speakers.
Pittsburgh Loves refugees
Organizing Partners
World Refugee Day Pittsburgh is a joint effort of several organizations throughout the city. Led by Pittsburgh’s resettlement agencies, Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS) Acculturation for Justice, Access, and Peace Outreach (AJAPO), Bethany Christian Services, and Hello Neighbor, the city has been celebrating this event for many years. JFCS, AJAPO, Bethany Christian services, and Hello Neighbor are joined by AHN Center for Inclusion Health, ARYSE, Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh (BCAP), Global Wordsmiths, Literacy Pittsburgh, Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania, Somali Bantu Community Association of Pittsburgh, South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM), United Somali Bantu of Greater Pittsburgh, and World Affairs Council in planning, organizing, and putting on the event.
JFCS
JFCS serves the Greater Pittsburgh community supporting people through all of life’s changes and challenges. In addition to hosting Pittsburgh’s largest refugee resettlement program helping refugees settle in their new homes, services offered help families overcome food insecurity, professionals find new jobs, immigrants become citizens, vulnerable adults live fulfilling lives, seniors stay independent and community members find healing from trauma and bereavement. Learn more at jfcspgh.org.
AJAPO
AJAPO’s aims to build–together with consumers–an amazing and self-sufficient refugee/immigrant community that contributes economically, socially, and spiritually to the civic life of Greater Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, while sustaining those aspects of their own traditional values and culture that strengthen families. ajapopittsburgh.org
Bethany Christian Services
Bethany has been providing family support for foster and adoptive families in the Pittsburgh region, and now is working to support refugees, immigrants, and unaccompanied children in the city. During their first six months in the U.S., we provide refugee families with a vast array of support. Our goal is to provide a safe new community where refugees can thrive. bethany.org
Hello Neighbor
Hello Neighbor works to improve the lives of refugees and immigrants by matching them with dedicated neighbors to guide and support them in their new lives. helloneighbor.io
AHN Center for Inclusion Health
Through our Center for Inclusion Health, we aim to provide outstanding health care to everyone by focusing on three key areas: Increasing access, Training and education, and Program effectiveness. Our programs address the obstacles that make it hard for people to access care, helping to improve people’s health while reducing costs. ahn.org
ARYSE
BCAP
Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh (BCAP) is a non-profit organization working for the benefit of Bhutanese resettled in Pittsburgh since 2008. BCAP works to ensure a high quality of life for all members of the Bhutanese community in Pittsburgh. bcap.org
Global Wordsmiths
Global Wordsmiths is a full-service language translation and interpretation services in the Greater Pittsburgh Area with a social mission to improve language access by donating profits and training volunteers.
Literacy Pittsburgh
Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter serves Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties. counties, and also functions as the headquarters of the 61-county Greater Pennsylvania Region. Their services include disaster relief, service to armed forces, biomedical donations, training programs, and international services. redcross.org
Somali Bantu Community Association of Pittsburgh
The Somali Bantu Community Association of Pittsburgh’s mission is to inspire, enable hope through advocacy, contribute to the health and well-being of our community by providing exceptional social and economy based service to every member of our community. Learn more
SHIM
SHIM has been providing food, clothing and services to people in need in Pittsburgh’s southern suburban neighborhoods for around 50 years. Faced with unprecedented new levels of suburban poverty, SHIM is expanding its work to include more neighbors helping more neighbors in need. Together, with teams of dedicated volunteers, donors and partners, we’re working to reduce the devastating effects of suburban poverty among the working poor, unemployed, families, single parents, senior citizens, women, and the high concentration of refugee families in our service area. shimcares.org
United Somali Bantu of Greater Pittsburgh
United Somali Bantu of Greater Pittsburgh is building community among the Somali Bantu residents of the Pittsburgh region through enabling individuals and families to successfully acclimate and transition to self-sufficient life in American society, particularly from a socio-economic and civic perspective, by both providing direct practical assistance and connecting people to other resources and opportunities. unitedsomalibantu.org
World Affairs Council Pittsburgh
The Food Blog
Amazing recipes from all over the world
Check out these delicious recipes from refugees and immigrants as they share their cultures, stories, and food.
AFGHANISTAN: Aushak
AFGHANISTAN: AushakServings 24 dumplingsReady In: 2hGood For: Side Dish or Main DishIntroduction...
Suzy Nava’s Story – Baking Cakes (Mexico)
Hi, my name is Susana. I am from Guerrero, Mexico. I have lived here in Pittsburgh P.A for 19...
EGYPT: Basbousa (Egyptian Semolina Cake)
EGYPT: Basbousa (Egyptian Semolina Cake)Servings 10-12Ready In: 1hGood For: DessertIntroduction...
countries celebrating worldwide
Immigrant Entrepreneurs in PGH
refugees resettled over 10 years in PGH
years of Global World Refugee Day
Join us on June 20!
Location: Schenley Plaza, 4100 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA
Event Hours: 4pm-8pm; Film showing at 8:00pm in Frick Fine Arts Building.
SPONSORED BY
PLATINUM
Thank you to Duolingo for your Platinum level sponsorship.
GOLD
Thank you to Highmark Wholecare for your Gold level sponsorship.
SILVER
Thank you to The Leveler Foundation & UPMC for your Silver level sponsorship.
BRONZE
Thank you to the Global Wordsmiths, Signature Financial Planning, Goodwill of Southwestern PA, Rotery District 7305, and Highmark Health for your Bronze level sponsorship.
A special thank you to Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for your partnership in this event.