On Monday, June 20, 2022, hundreds of Pittsburghers of all ages came out to Schenley Plaza for Pittsburgh’s World Refugee Day and Immigrant Heritage Month celebration.
After two years of virtual events, World Refugee Day was finally back in person, this time in a new location! The event featured performances, speakers, food, art, and several community organizations that had fun, free activities for people to participate in. Countries from all over the world were represented in the day’s activities, with local Pittsburghers displaying their crafts, music, dance, food, and more.
In addition to the restaurants in Schenley Plaza, the event also featured food vendors from Syria, Iraq, and Venezuela. Craft vendors sold jewelry, pottery, paintings, and more from Iraq, Myanmar, Turkey, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and more! Many countries were also represented during the stage performances, with a variety of dances, beautiful music, and inspiring poetry and stories.
World Refugee Day Pittsburgh is a joint effort of several organizations throughout the city. Led by Pittsburgh’s resettlement agencies, Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS) Acculturation for Justice, Access, and Peace Outreach (AJAPO), Bethany Christian Services, and Hello Neighbor, the city has been celebrating this event for many years. JFCS, AJAPO, Bethany Christian services, and Hello Neighbor are joined by AHN Center for Inclusion Health, ARYSE, Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh (BCAP), Global Wordsmiths, Literacy Pittsburgh, Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania, Somali Bantu Community Association of Pittsburgh, South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM), United Somali Bantu of Greater Pittsburgh, and World Affairs Council in planning, organizing, and putting on the event.
This year’s event was generously sponsored by Duolingo, Highmark Wholecare, The Leveler Foundation, UPMC, Global Wordsmiths, Goodwill SWPA, Highmark/AHN, the Rotary Club District 7035, and Signature Financial Planner, with additional support provided by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
Learn more – jfcspgh.org/wrd
News Articles:
World Refugee Day celebration aims to show Pittsburgh is for everyone – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh recognizes World Refugee Day – WPXI
