#WorldRefugeeDayPGH is LIVE!
8:00 – 10:00 AM Kick Off
Established in 2001
WORLD REFUGEE DAY 2020
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 hold an event on June 17 and 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!
Schedule of events
CHECK OUT THE AMAZING EVENTS WE HAVE PLANNED!
8:00
AM
Kick-Off!
We’ll start of the day with a Welcome message and some fun performances to get your day started! Share how you’re celebrating with #WorldRefugeeDayPGH
10:00
AM
Sharing Stories
Hear stories from local refugees and immigrants, sharing experiences, hopes, and dreams. Thanks to Sharing Our Story for providing some of the stories.
12:00
PM
Global Lunch
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!
1:00
PM
Get Creative!
Check out some of the immigrant-owned businesses we’re featuring today and consider supporting them through your purchase! Then, watch videos from local artists and makers to learn more about their items and art.
3:00
PM
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 along with host Siraji Hassan as he shares more about World Refugee Day and who refugees are!
6:00
PM
Celebration Wrap-Up
Thank you messages from local leaders, as well as more fun performances to finish out the day! Tune in for the last hour as we continue to share stories, food, art, music, dance, and more from our refugee and immigrant neighbors.
Last Year’s Event
Celebrating Citizenship
Hear a message from USCIS Pittsburgh Field Office Director Michael Horvath. (Coming soon!)
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
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 About this RecipeBy: Sameera Ibrahimi Aushak are dumplings filled with gandana, which is a kind of leek grown in Afghanistan. It can be hard to find in the US, but you can...
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...
EGYPT: Basbousa (Egyptian Semolina Cake)
EGYPT: Basbousa (Egyptian Semolina Cake)Servings 10-12Ready In: 1hGood For: DessertIntroduction About this RecipeBy: Yesmina Salib Basbousa is a very popular Egyptian dessert, a traditional Middle Eastern sweet cake. The cake is often cut into diamond or rectangle...
countries celebrating worldwide
Immigrant Entrepreneurs in PGH
refugees resettled over 10 years in PGH
years of Global World Refugee Day
Join the celebration!
Location: Facebook Event
Event Hours: 8am – 8pm
SPONSORED BY
GOLD
Thank you to the Leveler Foundation, Highmark/AHN, and UPMC for your Gold level sponsorship.
SILVER
Thank you to the Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania for your Silver level sponsorship.
BRONZE
Thank you to Dollar Bank and Midnight Blue Technology Services for your Bronze level sponsorship.
Contact Us
For more information about World Refugee Day or ways to get involved in supporting your local refugee and immigrant neighbors, contact us here.