World Refugee Day drew more than 600
As they began planning for this year's World Refugee Day on June 21 in Spokane, Refugee and Immigrant Connections Spokane (RICS) was concerned about safety for participants.
Because its staff and clients wanted to come together to celebrate, RICS arranged security to help people feel safe when they gathered at the Pergola Event Center.
"Fortunately, there were no incidents," said Renee Kenney, RICS marketing and development director. "We had a robust safety plan with security officers but did not need to implement it."
More than 600 attended with a record number of 50 volunteers. Ten were naturalized as citizens. Performances were by Eritrean, El Salvadoran, Ukrainian, Venezuelan, Filipino and Vietnamese refugees and immigrants.
A highlight was the "Facing Immigration" project offered by Diane Sherman, an artist and English as a Second Language teacher at Spokane Community College.
"Combining art and activism, it raises awareness of our humanity—that we are all people and human beings," said Renee, noting that 45 participated in that activity.
The day's theme, "One Heart, One World," expressed that everyone belongs and is welcome.
RICS planned the day with ASAP Translations, Global Neighbors, International Rescue Committee Spokane, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, Manzanita House, Spokane Colleges, Thrive International and World Relief.
Renee said that next year, they will celebrate on June 20, the official United Nations World Refugee Day.
RICS works with 1,000 refugees and immigrants in the Spokane area to offer programs they need based on their country of origin and status.
"Some feel free to come and go, and others do not. We are attentive to their comfort and make adjustments as needed," said Renee.
"RICS' focus is to help people navigate the systems to find what they need to build stable lives through access to jobs, housing, clothing, fresh produce, community and mental wellness," said Renee, whose job is to invite support, volunteers and donors by sharing information.
To do that, RICS offers the following programs, including Refugee Kids Connect, Refugee Elder Services, Refugee Integration, Mobility and Empowerment, the Refugee and Immigrant Wellness Program, Welcome to Spokane, Growing Connections, Patients Passports and Refugee and Immigrant Stories: Voices of Hope.
In addition, the Advocacy Team provides rapid response support, documents interactions with ICE, offers accompaniment to families accessing resources and navigating immigration processes, educates immigrants on using resources from the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network and prepares legislative actions with the city and state.
"We raise awareness of refugee and immigrant issues to protect people's rights," Renee said, aware that many of those they serve also interact with other refugee and immigrant organizations.
"Working in collaboration, we seek to meet their needs," she affirmed.
Renee, who grew up in Spokane, earned degrees in English as a Second Language at Eastern Washington University—bachelor's 2016 and master's 2019. She has worked 10 years teaching refugees and immigrant students at Spokane Community College and Eastern Washington University.
That work involved tests, grades and language, but she wanted to be more involved in the day-to-day support of refugees and immigrants as she learned how diverse Spokane was. She wanted to be part of welcoming them and helping them rebuild their lives.
Just over a year ago, she began working with RICS to gather and share stories and tell about their work to support refugees and families, using social media, raising funds and inviting donations.
"In this work, I keep learning about the people's lives and cultures, like a flower that keeps unfolding as it blooms," she said. "I learn how other cultures navigate challenges. For example, some cope with difficulty by laughing, finding joy and levity despite how difficult things may be."
Refugees in the area include large groups from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Congo, Sudan, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Venezuela, she said.
