Neighborhood House co-sponsors the Milwaukee World Refugee Day 2016 event to raise awareness of Cultural Diversity and the Syrian Crisis.
Milwaukee joins the international humanitarian community in recognizing World Refugee Day, Monday June 20th. The event will take place downtown at Pere Marquette Park, 900 N. Plankinton Avenue, from 4:00 to 6:30pm. Cultural performances and speakers from Syria and Burma will be featured, followed by a championship match between top refugee soccer teams.
Wisconsin Department of Children &Families is sponsoring the event Milwaukee World Refugee Day 2016, in partnership with Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, UMOS, International Institute of Wisconsin, Lutheran Social Services, and Catholic Charities.
Speakers will include Mayor Tom Barrett, Rep. Daniel Riemer, and State Refugee Coordinator Mette Brogden. Dr. Tarif Bakdash, author of recently published memoir, will speak about the current refugee crisis in Syria, and Eileen Alvarado of UMOS will speak about human trafficking. Performers from local refugee communities will share music, dance and stories from Burma, Africa, and elsewhere.
“Milwaukee has a rich history of welcoming newcomers, and Neighborhood House is proud to be part of that tradition by co-sponsoring an event that celebrates our common humanity,” says Neighborhood House Executive Director Jeff Martinka. “World Refugee Day acknowledges the contributions and resilience of those among us who are rebuilding their lives here after fleeing violence in other countries.
The event will be followed by the World Refugee Day Soccer Tournament’s final championship match at South Stadium, 971 W. Windlake Ave. at 7:30. The World Refugee Day Soccer Tournament begins Saturday June 4 at Zablocki Park and is an all-day event.
