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Refuge Coffee in Clarkston hosts World Refugee Day

Clarkston

Refuge Coffee in Clarkston hosts World Refugee Day

Awesome Drummers perform during World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.
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Clarkston, GA — World Refugee Day was celebrated on June 27 at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston. The event originally scheduled for June 20 was postponed a week due to weather.

Jim Neal, chair of the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies said, “We are having a World Refugee Day celebration today as part of our mission to highlight and celebrate the contributions of refugees in Georgia.”

The event featured entertainment, food from refugee vendors and opportunities for citizens to get engaged in advocacy as well as comments from U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson and city of Clarkston Mayor Beverly Burks who told those in attendance, “We want you to learn more about the different cultures that make up our city. We want to shine with opportunity that when new Americans come, they have an opportunity for economic development, starting their own business. In Clarkston you can go within 2 blocks and literally hit two different continents, as a community we are going to help our new Americans.”

Awesome Drummers perform during World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Eritrean Dancers perform during World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Clarkston resident Eyelachew Desto poses in the photo booth during World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Originally from Ethiopia, Desto said he became a U.S. citizen two months ago. Photo by Dean Hesse

Six-year-old Israel Williams on right, and his cousin Zion Lincoln, 7, draw at the city of Clarkston ‘Tell Me a Story” activity area during World Refugee Day in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Ata Mohammad, 10 months, watches the activity from his stroller during World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

From left, Justin Howell, International Rescue Committee (IRC) executive director and Fiona Freeman, communications & external relations manager for IRC. Howell said IRC Is the largest refugee resettlement organization in Atlanta and has been doing refugee resettlement for over 40 years. Howell said, “On days like this we can uplift the (refugees) cultural contributions through food, through music and through performance. This is just a small taste of the contributions of the refugee community. It’s a great opportunity for people from all walks of life to come out and share this day together.” Photo by Dean Hesse.

From left, Saiba Abbas, holding her son Ata Mohammad, with her sister Amena Abbas at World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Saiba said she is the daughter of immigrants and wants to do volunteer work around the refugee community. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Marjan Nadir, on left, and Temple Moore dance between customers at their food vendor stand during World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Elizabeth Elango, CEO and Head of School for Global Village Project, a school for refugee girls, at World Refugee Day in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Elango said, “Refugees make such a difference in our community. They contribute so much to our society and they need our support. It’s great that we have this opportunity to celebrate with them, celebrate their different cultures, their lives, their stories.” Photo by Dean Hesse.

From left, friends Maggie Wahlers, Sarah Aker, Isabella Jurisin, Julia Goetz and Sarah Mernaugh at World Refugee Day in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

People order drinks from the Refuge Coffee Co. truck during World Refugee Day in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Awesome Drummers perform during World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Awesome Drummers pose for a group photo following their performance during World Refugee Day in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Susan Rai, originally from Nepal, attends World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Samar prepares falafel in the Aleppo Kitchen Syrian Food vendor stand during World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

People line up at the food vendors during World Refugee Day in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Michel Lubala Mungereza, on left, and Leon Shombana stand with the Democratic Republic of Congo flag during World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

From left, Tiffany Miller, Katara James and Sherri Morales-Douglass from Psi Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Kappa Sorority volunteer at the T-shirt sales table during World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Representatives from Catholic Charities Atlanta were on hand to offer information on their refugee jobs and youth programs during World Refugee Day at Refuge Coffee Co. in Clarkston on Sunday, June 27. Photo by Dean Hesse.

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