Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada and Fellow Agencies Celebrate World Refugee Day June 17

In acknowledgement of World Refugee Day, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada (CCSN) and ECDC African Community Center will host a Cultural Resource Fair on Friday, June 17from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Las Vegas Bevan Hall (3050 Alta Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89107).

Open to the public and free to attend, the annual celebration is hosted by the refugee resettlement agencies. Attendees are encouraged to learn about the strength, courage and resilience of the thousands of refugees that have resettled in Southern Nevada.

Fitting this year’s theme “Nevada Is Our Home”, 30 partners from across the community will gather their support and resources for refugee clients. The fair will also feature cultural entertainment from refugees and dance troupes, raffle prizes and various ethnic foods from local refugee or immigrant-owned restaurants.

New to the event this year, our agency’s Nevada Office for Refugees in collaboration with the Governor’s Office for New Americans will host the inaugural Nevada Newcomer Health Forum from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. inside the Bevan Hall of Our Lady of Las Vegas. The speaker-led forum will focus on improving refugee health in our community kick-off the festive cultural fair.

“The ultimate goal of our Refugee Services is to help each client attain self-sufficiency as soon as possible,” said Deacon Tom Roberts, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. “Now more than ever, we hope to educate the public on the importance of cultures that make up our community and the support we can provide to those tragically displaced from various parts of the world.”

CCSN new arrivals assimilate to the Las Vegas community through cultural orientation. Refugees are also assisted with securing housing and basic needs such as food and clothing. Other services include English classes, case management, health and mental health services, employment services and training opportunities.  

The UN Refugee Agency recently reported that for the first time in history, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide reached a staggering all-time high of more than 100 million people. Among them, more than 30 million are refugees, and of that number, nearly half are under the age of 18.

World Refugee Day is an international observance dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world. It also highlights the accomplishments of refugees who have been resettled here previously.

Those interested in learning more or helping the cause can visit Migration Refugee and Services at CatholicCharities.com.

About Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada
Since 1941, the mission of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada has been to serve those in need — the most vulnerable — regardless of race, religion, or creed. This leading community resource offers help and hope with dignity as it strives to meet the diverse needs of men, women and children in Southern Nevada. Through the generosity of foundations, grants, organizations, and individual donors, Catholic Charities operates 16 programs providing support to more than4,200 people daily and encompassing four core areas: Family Services, Food Services, Immigration and Refugee Services, and Homeless and Housing Services. Catholic Charities also operates the largest Meals on Wheels program and Emergency Shelter Services in Southern Nevada. For additional information, please visit CatholicCharities.com.

Media Contacts:

For Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada – The Firm Public Relations &Marketing – 702.739.9933

KC Kappen/ ext.226/ kck@thefirmpr.com

Michael Abante/ext. 244/ michaela@thefirmpr.com

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