Image
Image

Harrisburg's World Refugee Day Block Party

In celebration of World Refugee Day and Harrisburg’s welcoming community, we are hosting a community fair on June 24, 2023, from noon-3 PM (rain or shine). This FREE and fun afternoon of activities, food, and entertainment for all local families at our office lot at Maclay and N. 2nd Streets.

Some of those activities already planned include a baby goat petting zoo, face and henna painting, a DJ, photo booth, and a balloon artist.

World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe and it falls each year on June 20.

June 24, 2023

Noon-3pm


Image

We're Seeking Sponsors!

 


We’re relying on generous sponsors to help us cover the event costs and execute a memorable event for our neighborhood! Each activity is being sponsored by caring businesses and organizations in our region for the benefit of our friends in the neighborhood.

Contact Erika Juran with questions and for sponsorship details at ejuran@cwsglobal.org or at 717-660-5312.


PDF Sponsor Form

Event Sponsor

$2500


  • All previous level benefits

  • Opportunity to speak from the music "stage"

  • Host an outreach table or booth

Food Sponsor

$1000


  • All previous level benefits

  • Individual Social Media Highlight

  • Linked logo on event website

Arts Sponsor

$500


  • All previous level benefits

  • Sponsor Yard Sign at event

  • Mention in event press release

Activity Sponsor

$250


  • Social media, email, and website mention

  • Promo Flyer mention

JUNE 20, 2023

World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day (WRD) is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20. From the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) website (unhcr.org):

"Whoever they are, people forced to flee should be treated with dignity. Anyone can seek protection, regardless of who they are or what they believe. It is non-negotiable: seeking safety is a human right. Wherever they come from, people forced to flee should be welcomed. Refugees come from all over the globe. To get out of harm’s way, they might take a plane, a boat, or travel on foot. What remains universal is the right to seek safety. Whenever people are forced to flee, they have a right to be protected. Whatever the threat – war, violence, persecution – everyone deserves protection. Everyone has a right to be safe.”
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
    Since opening in March 2022 through September 2022, CWS Harrisburg:

     

    Image
    0
    Arrivals begin in February 2022, with the office growing to 7 full-time staff by September 2022.
    Image
    0

    new refugee neighbors welcomed from Central African Republic, Venezuela, Syria, Guatemala, Iraq, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burma, Afghanistan.

    Image
    0

    new Afghan neighbors welcomed through the APA program.

    Image
    0

    bed sets provided to new families, thanks to donations from West Shore Free Church.

    Image
    0+

    items made by refugee artisans sold through CWS Harrisburg Marketplace program. These handmade crafts directly support the women who create them as well as CWS Harrisburg programs.

    Image
    0

    to-go food boxes sold for International Friendsgiving Fundraiser. These culturally-diverse meals to go utilized favorite new neighbor recipes to raise funds for CWS programs.

    Resettlement: Gilberto's Story

    Searching for a better life than we had in Ecuador, we arrived in the United States in May of 2022. With the help of CWS Harrisburg, we moved into a nice home in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The CWS staff and volunteers immediately treated us as friends, not refugees. They helped us with everything necessary to establish ourselves in the USA. They helped my wife and I find good jobs, enrolled our son in school and helped me obtain a driver’s license. We worked hard and saved enough money to purchase a car, and we continue to save for our son’s future education. They have given us the resources we needed and guided us in everything we must know and do to provide for ourselves. My wife and I are still learning English, but our son has learned so much since school started. It is a privilege to be able to live in this country legally. I feel happy to be working in the chocolate factory (Lindt). I like what I do, the work environment is pleasant, and even more important, to have a job to support my family.
    Image

    Our Work

    Learn more

    CWS Harrisburg offers just and sustainable services to local refugees, immigrants, asylum-seekers, and other uprooted people seeking safety.

    Learn More

    Donate

    Support us

    Provide support to refugees, immigrants, asylum-seekers, and other uprooted people who are seeking safety and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

    Learn More

    Get Involved

    Partner & Connect

    We are so grateful to live and work in such a welcoming community! Are you looking for ways to connect with local refugees and immigrants?

    Learn More