World Refugee Day

On World Refugee Day, we celebrate the courage and strength of refugee newcomers and the many gifts they bring to our communities.

This year, we will be celebrating World Refugee Day in both Indianapolis and Bloomington!

Bloomington Event

Join us on June 16th, 2024 from 3:00 to 6:00 at First United Methodist Church in Bloomington. This will be your opportunity to enjoy artwork created by refugees, enjoy live music by refugee musicians, hear refugees describe their experience of being welcomed in Bloomington, and learn more about Exodus. The event is free, so invite your friends to join us!

Event Schedule:

3:00: Event begins. Hear from Erin Aquino, Outgoing Bloomington Resettlement Director

3:10: Partner Awards

3:40: Client Performance – Arabic Singer

4:00: Client Performance – Drum Circle

4:15: Client Speaker – Atembo Masumbuko

4:25: Hear from Pastor John Nyota, First United Methodist Church Bloomington

4:35: Performance: First United Methodist Church Congolese Choir

4:50: Client Speaker – Neda Mirdadi

5:00: Client Performance – Classically Trained Afghan Musicians

5:20: Hear from Lubna Qazi, Incoming Bloomington Resettlement Director

Indianapolis Event

Join us on World Refugee Day, June 20th, for our World Refugee Day Celebration in Indianapolis. The event will take place from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Global Village Welcome Center in Indianapolis! This open-house style event will give you time to enjoy international food, purchase artwork created by local refugee artists, and enjoy performances by local refugee singers and dancers.

4:30: Doors open

5:00: Hear from Mary Clark, Global Village Welcome Center

5:15: Dance Performance

6:00: Hear from Deputy Mayor Judith Thomas, City of Indianapolis; Jessica Inabitt, Catholic Charities Indianapolis; and Cole Varga, Exodus Refugee

6:45: Choir Performance

7:30: Closing Remark