Framingham, MA – June 20th, 2015
To most people, June 20th will seem like any other common Saturday. Most individuals will sleep in, make coffee and spend time with their families. But June 20th isn’t just a normal Saturday, it’s World Refugee Day. Established in 2000 by the United Nations, World Refugee Day celebrates individuals who “live outside his or her home country or last habitual residence and is unable or unwilling to return to that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.” Celebrated in more than 100 countries, World Refugee Day raises awareness of the situation of refugees around the world and within our own communities.
Throughout the years, the United States has become a safe haven for refugees around the world. There are about 70,000 refugees admitted to the United States every year. On June 20th, the state of Massachusetts will commemorate World Refugee Day with a series of events that highlight the current state of refugees around the world and celebrate the achievements of the men, women and children who have had success in transitioning into Massachusetts. For some local statistics about refugees in the state of Massachusetts please click here.
Here at JFS of Metrowest, we assist local refugees in finding employment and enrolling in ESL (English as a Second Language) programs. JFS of Metrowest has resettled a total of 125 refugees from Cuba, Iraq, Ukraine, Haiti, Russia, Syria, Kyrgyz Republic, El Salvador and Ecuador and Iran. Through JFS of Metrowest’s services, refugees have been able to see measurable improvement in their economic stability, academic and career achievement as well as their integration into their communities.
About JFS of Metrowest
JFS a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to standing up for those left behind and provides services to over 4,500 people in need within the Metrowest region each year, including afterschool tutoring for at-risk children, nutrition assistance for low-income families, refugee resettlement case management and support services that enable frail older adults to live independently. To learn more about JFS of Metrowest please visit www.jfsmw.org.
JFS of Metrowest
Matthew Rosenberg
Community Engagement Intern
JFSintern2@jfsmw.org
508-875-3100 x101
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