World Refugee Day, June 20, to Celebrate Contributions of Broward County’s Refugee Population

PEMBROKE PINES – Broward County Family Success Administration Refugee Services is partnering with the Broward Refugee Task Force and Broward County Public Library Outreach Division/Newcomers New Americans Program to host World Refugee Day on Saturday, June 20, starting at 11 a.m. at the South Regional Broward College Library, 7300 Pines Boulevard in Pembroke Pines.

The free, three-hour program will showcase the many contributions of the Cuban, Haitian, Colombian and Venezuelan communities — the countries of origin of some of the many refugees and asylees living in Broward County. Entertainment will include traditional music, dances, drumming and songs from clients served by County refugee agencies. There will be raffles, giveaways, displays of typical items and traditional dishes.

Proclamations will be presented by Broward County District 6 Commissioner Sue Gunzburger and Pembroke Pines City Mayor Frank Ortis. Broward County District 8 Commissioner Diana Wasserman-Rubin will give a special address, enhanced by her personal experience as a refugee, having fled Cuba with her family in the 1960s.

World Refugee Day is an observance highlighting the struggles and triumphs of refugees throughout the community. In 2000, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 20 as World Refugee Day to recognize the strength and resilience of refugees throughout the world. Since then, it has become a commemoration marked by several events in more than 100 countries.

According to data from the Florida Department of Children and Families, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties together accounted for nearly 80 percent of the refugee and asylees in Florida in fiscal year 2008, with a combined total of more than 21,000 persons served.

The Broward Refugee Task Force includes the Florida Department of Children and Families (the funding agency) and other agencies that provide services to refugees and asylees in Broward County, including Broward County Refugee Services, Broward College Project Renew, St. Thomas University Human Rights Institute and Youth Co-op, Inc.

Other agencies participating in World Refugee Day include the Broward County Complete Count Census 2010 Committee, the Broward County Health Department, Minority Development and Empowerment, Hispanic Unity of Florida, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Amnesty International, Floridians For Darfur and the American Red Cross. The Newcomers New Americans Program run by Broward County Public Library Outreach Division has been an integral partner in the planning of the event.

Broward County Refugee Services offers programs and free services to refugees, asylees, and Cuban and Haitian entrants with the goal of leading them to economic and social self-sufficiency. Services include orientation, employability skills training, job search and placement, bus passes, clothing vouchers, child care subsidies, as well as referrals for legal services, immigration assistance, emergency utility assistance, ESOL classes and other trainings.

For additional information on World Refugee Day and other programs, contact Refugee Services at 954-537-2929 or visit www.broward.org/family and click on “Refugee Services.”