KindWorks Hosts Inspiration Day 2017

KindWorks Hosts Annual Inspiration Day

“Refugee Storytelling and Building Community”

While the travel ban on refugees continues to ricochet through the courts, it is more vital than ever that we get to know the people behind the term 'refugee'. Who are 'refugees', when and how did they come to this country, and what is their message at this important time in our history? On Sunday, September 24th, from 1-3pm at the River Falls Community Center in Potomac, MD KindWorks is hosting its annual "Inspiration Day", with a focus on refugee storytelling as a way of building community.

We'll hear from Susan, a Holocaust survivor, who was separated from her parents at 9 years old to escape Nazi Germany; she and her brother were sent to France and later came to the US by ship where they were reunited with their parents. Susan has been a teacher for almost 30 years and now volunteers at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum to lend her voice to ensuring that 'never again' means never again. Thu Than was on one of the last helicopters, from the roof of the American Embassy in South Vietnam, before the Communists took over. Her family settled in Ohio. Thu studied hard, became a doctor, and is a fierce volunteer, giving back to a country that she says gave her so much. Abdullah Al-Sayed resigned from the Syrian army in 1995 and worked in construction; but during the revolution, Asad's forces wanted him to join Syrian intelligence. He refused, was blacklisted, and would likely have been killed, as many of his friends were, had he not been granted asylum to the US. Now he owns his own car and works as a limousine driver. When I asked him if KindWorks could support him in any way, he said, "Thank you, I'm so happy here."

Join us for an afternoon of storytelling that will replenish your soul and inspire hope and commitment to ensuring that our country continues to be a country of refugees and immigrants. Enjoy a delicious lunch made by refugee chefs generously donated by Foodhini, a food delivery service that employs refugee and immigrant chefs to make traditional dishes. Foodhini Founder and CEO Noobtsaa Philip Vang, the son of Hmong refugees, will also share his story and the inspiration behind Foodhini.

Tickets are $50 in advance at www.dokindworks.org, tax deductible, and support KindWorks' projects. You don't want to miss this event; please buy your tickets today, as seats are limited.