THANK YOU TO OUR FOSTER PARENTS
May was National Foster Care Month and therefore our staff decided to show a little love and appreciation to our foster parents! These parents go above and beyond to welcome Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) into their homes. Many of these minors are teens who have been exposed to high levels of trauma and stress due to the political and socio-economic situations they have fled from.

To show our appreciation, staff delivered cupcakes, face masks, engraved picture frames, and cards to each of our families. Thank you for opening your homes and hearts to us!

Our national partners at the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) wanted to pass along their thanks to those working to serve and foster unaccompanied refugee minors in this time.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can become a URM foster parent, fill out the inquiry form on our website. To learn more about the licensing process and the experience of a URM foster parent, watch our recent Lunch and Learn (video below) virtual event.
FLY FOR PEACE
In celebration of World Refugee Day, our Hyattsville office is hosting a kite making and flying event on the evening of Friday, June 19. This event welcomes our families and community members together for an evening of family fun.

We need your help to host this event! Your donations of kite-making supplies and snacks for the kids will help us hold this event free of cost. We have created an Amazon Wish List for those wishing to contribute.

All are welcome to join! Please contact Tanya Vitusagavulu for questions.

TAKE ACTION
WORLD REFUGEE DAY
JUNE 20
June 20, 2020, marks World Refugee Day - a day when we commemorate those who have had to flee their homes due to danger and persecution. Help us celebrate the resiliency of our refugee and immigrant families throughout the week of June 15.

We will be offering a variety of virtual and in person events, as well as, displays of art and culture represented by our clients. The week will be closed with a donation drive organized by Xi Zeta Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at our Hyattsville office.

All are welcome to participate in the week's celebrations! You'll find more information on the daily events on our Facebook.
SPOTLIGHT: PANEL WITH LSSNCA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
JUNE 16, 3PM
In commemoration and celebration of World Refugee Day, join us for a virtual panel event with four of our 2020 Bold Journey Scholarship recipients! Our panelists will describe their journeys to the United States and many of their accomplishments since.

Join us live on Google Meet. Register today on our website!
WE'RE MAKING ROOM FOR MORE DONATIONS
Our dedicated staff in Maryland and Virginia have been busy making room for more donations! Last week, staff cleaned out our storage units, delivered furniture and donations to our refugee families, and picked-up donations from donors' homes.

We've been working hard so that we can make room for more donations! As we prepare to welcome more refugee and immigrant families to the DMV we need your help by donating furniture and home supplies.

To learn what donation items we are currently taking and to schedule a donation delivery/pick-up visit our website.
VIRTUAL ADVOCACY DAY
JUNE 23
Our partners at LIRS are hosting a virtual refugee advocacy day in honor of World Refugee Day.

As we reflect and celebrate the contributions of refugees, we must also inform Members of Congress of refugees’ unique challenges. On June 23, our leaders need to hear that their constituents want to see meaningful solutions to the pandemic that support all our neighbors, including refugee community members; and that our country must continue to stand for welcome and offer protection to those fleeing violence and persecution.

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY RESCHEDULED
JUNE 23, 7:30PM
ON ZOOM
Celebrate the release of Margery’s book, and meet the immigrants featured and the partner organizations of Indomitable!
 
The people whose stories are told are amazing! They have displayed the grit, smarts, and persistence that have carried them down the road to success in America. This is your opportunity to say thank you to them for their inspiring stories, and for now adding so much value to our American society. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
LUNCH & LEARN
URM FOSTER CARE