Pittsburgh’s World Refugee Day 2021 Celebration
This year is the 20th anniversary of World Refugee Day being celebrated around the world! Here in Pittsburgh, we’re celebrating virtually on June 18, highlighting stories from our local refugee and immigrant neighbors.
We’ll also have lots of ways for you to engage through recipes, a marketplace of local artisans, kids’ activities, and ways to take action. We hope that you’ll find ways to support refugees and immigrants in our community and help make Pittsburgh a place where we all can belong!
PITTSBURGH WORLD REFUGEE DAY 2021
This year is the 20th anniversary of World Refugee Day being celebrated around the world! Here in Pittsburgh, we’re celebrating virtually on June 18, highlighting stories from our local refugee and immigrant neighbors.
We’ll also have lots of ways for you to engage through recipes, a marketplace of local artisans, kids’ activities, and ways to take action. We hope that you’ll find ways to support refugees and immigrants in our community and help make Pittsburgh a place where we all can belong!
Stories From Our Neighbors & Ways to Take Action
Basak Kiran Cetinkale’s Story – FOCHA Store
Learn about Basak Kiran Cetinkale's story, the creator behind FOCHA Store. See her products in our marketplace! And see the gallery below for examples of her work. Background: I came to Pittsburgh with my husband. Before we decided to come here, we had never seen...
Ricardo Solis’s Story – CostaRicArt
Learn more about Ricardo Solis, the creator behind CostaRicArt. Check out his merchandise in our marketplace! See below for a gallery of his work. What do you sell? Handmade goods from reused materials What's the background behind your business? My upcycled art is...
Carmen Llovera de Lopez’s Story – CARMENCITA
Learn more about Carmen Llovera de Lopez, the artist behind CARMENCITA. Head to our Marketplace to check out her work! Scroll down for a gallery of her work. What do you sell? Acrylics , watercolor and mixed media paintings Story: I was born in Caracas,...
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 years with my husband Marcelino. I have 3 daughters, Hayley, Kally and Kristin. I live in the neighborhood of Brookline. It is nice and also quiet. I started making bread and...
A Message from PA State Refugee Coordinator Charlotte Fry
“No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.” ― Somalian Poet Warsan Shire Hello! For those who do not know me, I’m Charlotte Fry, Pennsylvania’s State Refugee Coordinator. On this World Refugee Day 2021 I would like to take a moment to recognize the...
Resources and Activities for Kids
Check out these World Refugee Day resources and activities for kids! Map Activity Sometimes it can feel like your world has been turned upside down. But have you ever thought about what that might look like? Try identifying key places around the world with this...
Saik & Won’s Story (Myanmar)
Saik (age 7) and Won (age 10) share their story and what family and home mean to them. What does family mean to you? “Family means the people who are loving and kind to you. Family doesn't just mean the people you are related to or who live in your house. Family can...
Adam Mkandama’s Story (Dem. Rep. of Congo)
Adam, age 9, shares his story and some thoughts about home and family. What does home mean to you? Home is more than just a house. Home makes you feel good and the people in your home make it feel good and make you feel proud and you feel safe at home. What does...
Fartoon Saleh’s Story (Somalia)
Fartoon Saleh, a Pittsburgh-based teen from Somalia, shares her story, experiences, and interests! What does family mean to you? Family means to me people that are there for you The good days and bad. appreciate you for who you are What’s a memory that you have with...
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!
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.
PHILIPPINES: Chicken Adobo
PHILIPPINES: Chicken Adobo Servings 6-8 Ready In: 1h 30min Good For: Dinner Introduction About this Recipe By: Erica Hon, Cynthia Melliza Fragante-Hon Many consider adobo to be the national dish of the Philippines. Adobo is a style of cooking, referring to the...
SPAIN: Lentils with Vegetables
SPAIN: Lentils with Vegetables Servings 2-3 Ready In: 1h 30min Good For: Lunch, Dinner Introduction About this Recipe By: Laura Sanchez Lentils are a staple food in many countries and cuisines. They can be flavored with a variety of herbs and spices and go well with...
UK & US: Pear & Cranberry Crisp
UK/US: Pear & Cranberry CrispServings 6-8Ready In: 1hGood For: DessertIntroduction About this Recipe By: Harriet Riley Dessert crumbles originated in England and eventually became crisps when oats were added to them. This crisp takes a new twist with both sweet...
International Restaurants & Markets in Pittsburgh
SPONSORED BY
GOLD
Thank you to the Leveler Foundation and UPMC for your Gold level sponsorship.
SILVER
Thank you to Highmark / Allegheny Health Network for your Silver level sponsorship.
BRONZE
Thank you to the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania and Dollar Bank for your Bronze level sponsorship.
Thank you to Giant Eagle for your contribution.
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) and Acculturation for Justice, Access, and Peace Outreach (AJAPO), the city has been celebrating this event for many years. JFCS and AJAPO are joined by All for All, ARYSE, Center for Hearing & Deaf Services – PLAN, Hello Neighbor, Global Wordsmiths, Literacy Pittsburgh, Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania, and South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) 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
All for All
ARYSE
Center for Hearing & Deaf Services - PLAN
HDS’s Pittsburgh Language Access Network (PLAN) provides spoken language interpreting services to organizations and companies throughout the Greater Pittsburgh region. PLAN
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. globalwordsmiths.com
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
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
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