On Saturday, June 19 the 探花精选 in Tallahassee celebrated World Refugee Day. The 探花精选 hosted a live virtual panel discussion with community partners, refugee families and the Tallahassee community at-large. In addition, the 探花精选 hosted a family day at Tom Brown Park. The events highlighted the contributions of the refugee community across Big Bend communities. 

The sound of a choir singing hymns filled the air on the warm afternoon of Saturday, June 19 at Tom Brown Park, Tallahassee, Florida as dozens of refugees celebrated World Refugee Day. It has been over a year since a gathering of this size has taken place among the refugee community in Tallahassee, and it's a prominent sign that Big Bend communities are opening up after months of social distancing and closures as a result of the pandemic. Many of the families participating in 探花精选鈥檚 Family Day at the Park had not seen each other in months, and the event was not only a celebration of the resiliency of refugees but an opportunity to say hello to old friends.  

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World Refugee Day, Tallahassee, FL
Photo: 探花精选

Community partners were among those participating, including organizations and individuals that have supported the refugee community throughout the 探花精选 in Tallahassee鈥檚 six years of resettlement work. These partners included: Humanists of Tallahassee, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, St. John's Episcopal Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The event also marked the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that all of 探花精选 in Tallahassee鈥檚 staff and several of its volunteers gathered to celebrate alongside refugee families.  

Although the event at Tom Brown Park was yet another example of refugee鈥檚 perseverance, resilience and optimism towards the future, it also highlighted the increasing diversity represented within Tallahassee's small refugee community. Represented among the 70 individuals participating in the event, there were three languages and over five nationalities. Traditionally, the 探花精选 in Tallahassee has resettled refugee's primary from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Syria. In recent month, the Tallahassee community has welcomed refugees from Latin America, including families from Colombia and El Salvador.  

The increase of diversity among Tallahassee鈥檚 small refugee community is bound to expand as the Biden Administration鈥檚 new policies towards refugee resettlement open the door for thousands of refugees to be welcomed into the U.S. during FY22. In response to the expected increase of refugee arrivals to the Tallahassee area, the 探花精选 is boosting its capacity to welcome and support newly arrived families. 

探花精选: President Biden鈥檚 refugee decision 鈥淕ood for America, Good for Refugees

The community鈥檚 role in supporting our new neighbors will be critical to maintaining Tallahassee鈥檚 welcoming spirit, and will ensure that refugees are able to heal and rebuild their lives. Tallahassee's welcoming spirit was in full display during 探花精选鈥檚 live panel discussion which featured community leaders and representatives of elected officials. Watch the panel discussion here: 

鈥淚 want all refugee families to know that Tallahassee is your city too, we welcome you, we want you to participate and know that this is your home.鈥 - Ms. Courtney Thomas - Director of External Affairs, Office of Tallahassee's Mayor John E. Dailey  

To learn more about the work of the 探花精选 in Florida and for information on how you can get involved with the 探花精选 as a or volunteer, please contact Development Coordinator, Melody Fakhourie at Melody.Fakhourie@Rescue.org.Stay connected to the 探花精选 in Florida! Like us on for announcements and upcoming events!