France and the United States join forces to help francophone refugees in Atlanta
When: Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Where: The William C. Wardlaw Building, Gordy Room, at Georgia Tech (177 North Avenue, N.W. - Atlanta, GA 30332)
COMMUNITY GARDENING SERVICE PROJECT
When: Saturday, November 2, 2013
Where: Clarkston, GA (location to be determined)
Metro Atlanta is a major hub for refugee resettlement. With the continued unrest and rebel fighting destabilizing the Republic of Congo, more than 2.4 million Congolese have been internally displaced with approximately 460,000 becoming refugees in neighboring countries since November 2012. In light of these circumstances, Georgia’s refugee services anticipate a sharp increase in the population of French-speaking refugees over the next few years.
To accommodate the needs of these survivors, France-Atlanta 2013 organized two opportunities for the local French community to lend a helping hand to Atlanta-based refugee and resettlement agencies.
REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT FORUM
When: Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Where: The William C. Wardlaw Building, Gordy Room, at Georgia Tech (177 North Avenue, N.W. - Atlanta, GA 30332)
Representatives from the Atlanta Chapter of the International Refugee Committee, Refugee Resettlement & Immigration Services of Atlanta, and Refugee Family Services shared about the services they provide and volunteer programs and opportunities available. Interested individuals and members of the local French community attended to learn more about the pressing needs of this population and how they could contribute their language skills and abilities to help them rebuild their lives.
- Representatives from Georgia Tech, RRISA, International Rescue Center-Atlanta, and Refugee Family Services participated in the Refugee Resettlement Forum.
COMMUNITY GARDENING SERVICE PROJECT
When: Saturday, November 2, 2013
Where: Clarkston, GA
Almost 20 members of the local French community gathered to participate in a community service day in Clarkston, Georgia—home to the largest refugee resettlement in the state.
- Volunteers cleared gardening plots for future use by refugee families.
- Not only did the voluteers lend a helping hand, but they had a lot of fun and enjoyed a delicious meal.
This event was presented with the support of:
